Tired of Conservative Christianity

I’m a conservative Republican. I voted for George W. Bush. I’m a born-again Christian. I believe in creationism, oppose gay marriage, and think abortion is the killing of a life ready to change the world. I serve in my church in Waynesboro and I try to better my community by serving others.

However, I’m disillusioned with the state of the Republican Party and the failed programs that party has implemented. More than that, I am disgusted with the politics that the so-called Christian right uses to force their will on the nation. Every time you turn on the TV you see what I’m talking about: the negative campaign ads of McCain-Palin, as well as the (again, so-called Christian) right-wing media powers wielding its fury full-force on those who disagree with them… and it doesn’t matter who that is. Shows with hosts like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly are little more than hate-mongering, with the shows misrepresenting the facts and self-righteously bashing whoever may oppose their views. I realize I’m generalizing and I know that the liberal spectrum of the equation operates in their own way, too. But how can we, as Christians, or better yet, as Americans, condone this? Doesn’t this bother anyone?

The Republican Party has been able to consistently win elections, not by expanding its base in the electorate, but by vilifying Democrats and driving wedges between Americans. The reflex action of Democrats is predictable: striking back at the attacks leveled against them. The media frenzy of the 24 hour news cycle feeds this. But that isn’t Obama’s message. His is a message of reconciliation. It’s a message of trying to set aside the partisan politics and instead, pick up the mantle of responsibility to solve the serious problems facing America and the world. Why can’t we all do that? Why can’t we quit trying to prove we’re right and the other side is wrong, whatever side the “other” side happens to be?

This country is all about debating the issues. It’s all about respecting others’ opinions. It’s about living together, despite our differences. No, it’s more than that; it’s loving one another and serving one another. That’s not what’s happening in America now… from the top-down and it’s time for REAL change.

What I want for America is simply hope... hope for the future… hope for our economy… hope for future generations. I believe you want that, too. All Americans do. In the face of rising energy costs (and they won’t go down), increasing trade deficits, and billions being spent on a war that is increasingly looking like an irresolvable conflict like Vietnam, we need vision to confront these problems. We need vision to tackle unaffordable healthcare costs, rising poverty levels, and increasing terrorist threats, despite our efforts since 9/11. We need vision from leadership (and from all of America) to develop alternate energy sources. The answer is not to increase offshore drilling. That’s just a Band-aid. More and more average Americans can’t afford to drive their cars. We need answers.

We need someone who is more than an ex-war hero to handle these increasingly complex problems. We need more than just a marketable, pretty face doing all the talking (you haven’t heard much from John McCain recently, have you?). Don’t misunderstand me. I’m glad Sarah Palin is on the ticket. It’s about time. But she’s not there to bring change to America (after all, how much policy-shaping does a Vice President do?). She’s there for another reason altogether.

We need someone with a plan… someone with vision… someone who brings hope. If you do your homework, you’ll see one candidate does. I have to look at the big picture. I’ll fight those moral issues I mentioned another day. America has more pressing problems. That’s why this Republican is voting for Barack Obama.