Love Hillary
From a recent editorial in Christianity Today:
. . . Vitriolic language directed at political figures does not, to use the Pauline metaphor, attract others with “the aroma of Christ.” It just creates a stench, making it more difficult to nurture relationships with those who want to meet Christ and who happen to support Clinton. Such talk easily slides into denigrating those on the other side of the political spectrum—who may just be on the other side of the aisle on Sunday mornings.
None of this precludes vigorous and pointed disagreement in the public square. Neither John the Baptist nor Jesus nor Paul was always meek and mild when they challenged the principalities and powers. But when vigorous political discourse turns into bashing of public figures, it perpetuates a great lie: that they are merely the ideologies and symbols attached to them. When a candidate’s ideology is mistaken for his or her personhood, it masks a crucial truth: that each person, no matter their political views, bears God’s image and matters deeply to him.
While pundits see candidates as punching bags, evangelicals are supposed to see candidates as, well, people. As we ponder how candidates are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” we may haltingly come to realize that the most bold and courageous thing we each could do this election season, no matter who we vote for, is this: Love Hillary.
I don’t get all the hating of Hillary. I can understand disagreeing with her. I can comprehend having deep disagreements, in fact.
But I just don’t get why so many people — including some Christians — hate her so much. Some of these are people who generally know that hate isn’t a recommended Christian virtue.
Like it or not, the woman is a person of deep faith. You can refer to the new book by Paul Kengor (who had earlier biographies on the faith of Reagan and George W. Bush) for information about her Methodist upbringing, her prayer life, and her involvement in Bible studies. It’s called God and Hillary Clinton: A Spiritual Life
For us, the evidence is anecdotal. One time Mrs. Clinton, when First Lady of Arkansas, came to Searcy for an Associated Women for Harding event. My wife had a few moments with her alone and got to share the journey of our family with a mentally-handicapped child.
No photographers were around. No journalists. Just two women talking about a child. And Diane still remembers the compassion, the total focus, the deep faith, and the insight (since she did know quite a bit about the Arkansas educational system and its opportunities) of the First Lady. I have a picture of the two of them, along with two of our friends, that I’ll post here sometime. (Translation: I can’t find it right now.)
I’m not suggesting you should vote for Hillary. I’m not saying I’ll vote for her.
But I don’t get the hatred. Vigorous political disagreement? Yes. Hatred? No.
I’ve heard people make the very worst assumptions about why she stayed with her husband through their trials and about why she’s done so many other things. How do they know that? I’m thankful these people aren’t my closest friends.
- – - -
(Added Monday evening — thanks, Marla. From our Arkansas days [L to R]: Diane, Hillary, Marla, Margaret.)
I didn’t object to Ann Coulter speaking there because she is conservative. Harding tends to be a conservative school, and I would expect mostly conservative speakers. I objected because she is a purveyor of hatred. The school apparently recognized that and uninvited her.
And Hillary isn’t?
I think “very passionate” is a better word than hate. Nobody want to see her dead! Just quite. Quiet about saying she is so spiritual but votes pro choice. She has such a wonderful prayer life and bible study participation but justifies lie after lie. She looked like a deer in headlights when debating Huckabee and spiritual issues came up. It’s more frustration that people are venting not hate.
rcorum,
You’re kidding, right? You’re comparing a US Senator to Ann Colter? You’ve lost your marbles.
rcorum,
I think Mike has made it crystal clear that in his experience (and that of his wife), Hillary is not a “purveyor of hatred” in the same way Coulter is. That’s the point of the post. Publicly, Hillary has never said anything near the ballpark of the filth that comes from Coulter’s mouth, and privately — well, Mike’s personal story is certainly telling, no?
——–
The best comment of the day award goes to ME (5:06 pm), who reminded us of Lipscomb’s wise guidance to people of faith to subvert the empire and its penchant for division and vitriol. I think Jesus would say the very same thing to people of faith today. (in fact, I think he actually is …)
Truth is, most of us can’t hear this because we are slaves to the Empire.
Strongly recommend the book, “Jesus for President.”
Steve – Am reading that book at this very moment. Will blog about it later!
Mike, is Bill Mahr also a “purveyor of hatred?”
I tell you what I hate right now. This blog. Not any one person, and certainly not you Mike, but the personal name calling. Hillary has been caught in lie after lie. I don’t find that much different than Coulter. I have not lost my marbles. No, Maybe I have for taking the time to post on this blog.
Jim, God bless you. I think you will find a bunch of people who are very selective in how they point out for their hatred.
That should be “who they point out” I need to stop now. You know that religion and politics gets people worked up.
rcorum, Thanks, I know what you mean. I have noticed that there are some Christians who portray themselves as non-partisan and apolitical always like to tell Christians who vote for Republicans that they should feel ashamed for any excessive rhetoric coming from the right. I would just like to see a little more balanced outrage. The rhetoric that comes from the left is not only hateful; it is often extremely vulgar and very anti-Christian. Yet, I find it curious that some Christians only conjure up any outrage toward those who might be said to be part of the religious right. I find that very interesting.
So, I ask again (and I will spell his name correctly this time), is Bill Maher a purveyor of hatred?
The older I get the more I think that perhaps David Lipscomb got it right on political involvment by Christians.
Roland,
I get plenty of chastisement off-blog, thanks.
Did ME get a “Mr.” because he’s old? I feel sort of left out…like it’s a double whammy.
Bill Maher? Don’t know. Never see him or hear him. Is he a Christian? (The topic of this blog is the hatred of Christians.)
It gets real tough to distinguish between passionate political discourse and un-Christian commentary. Contrary to the views of the religious right and the religious left, it seems to me that Jesus never made political commentary. He was almost always talking to individuals. So we have no real Biblical example of how to engage this process that seems so prone to hypocrisy and anger-laced speech. I’m not sure how one can really engage in this process and still follow Christ. No matter which side of the political spectrum you fall on, your comments here could be perceived as a turnoff to the lost of the other side.
Perhaps Steve’s comment really is the comment of the day.
Mike, I was talking more about the commenters at Sojourners as far as tone goes. But the problem with Sojourners to me seems to be that they are accessories. If you are going to hang the name of Christ on your political positions (which as I’ve said I think is a mistake) then I think you have to clearly distance Christ’s name from any of the ugliness that comes out of the process you are engaged in.
Again, I’ve lived in some conservative and liberal areas and can only remember one person saying anything hateful about any politician (it was about Gore). I don’t expect you to be balanced in your articles. Clearly, you are left-leaning and I don’t think you’ve ever been hateful. Can you give us some examples in personal experience of Christians being hateful towards Hillary?
I’ve just got back from editing the Wikipedia article on marbles. The first sentence now reads: A marble is a small spherical toy usually made from glass, clay, agate, or rcorum’s Hillary/Coulter comparison.
We at Politics & Culture find it interesting that Mike chose to defend Senator Clinton. Why single her out? As others have pointed out, President Bush has received his share of hate speech from left-leaning Christians (some are regular visitors to this blog). Where’s the outrage? Where’s the righteous indignation? Where are the tears???
If Ann Coulter were to write about Hillary toilet paper, and compare the Senator to excrement, many of those who comment here (not to mention the blow owner) would rail against such hatred and insensitivity. Yet, Mike’s friend Greg Kendall-Ball (who led the charge to get Harding to cancel Ann Coulter’s appearance) proudly displays his George W. Bush toilet paper on his blog, and compares our President to human waste.
Don’t misunderstand — we have some serious disagreements with President Bush.
But we just don’t get why so many people — including some Christians — hate him so much. Some of these are people who generally know that hate isn’t a recommended Christian virtue.
P&C said: But we just don’t get why so many people — including some Christians — hate him so much.
Well P&C, I just surfed your site and guess what? You’re a part of the reason.
To the person above talking about Ann Coulter with Hillary toilet paper…that won’t happen because Coulter is supporting Hillary ths year no joke…I would agree above with those citing several people and their blogs that have said not only said hateful things about President Bush but also about our troops in blog postings. In addition I really feel like their needs to be some sort of discussion about some of our Bible professors and how they allow their own personal politics to come out when they teach.
If you’re interested in viewing the toilet paper mentioned in the comment above, click here.
I can see how someone could infer that I held our current President and fecal matter in the same regard, but the toilet paper gag is a little more subtle than that. I would explain, but my mom told me that you shouldn’t have to explain jokes.
And, just to be clear, I would never *use* the Bush-imprinted toilet paper, it’s way too expensive!
How many comments does mine make?
I want to comment from the heart about what this post makes me think…
RED SOX IN FIRST PLACE!!!
WOO!
GKB,
You not pacifist anymore?
Wiping your ass with our current president’s image could be misconstrued as hatred.
If anyone thinks Hillary ain’t hateful and divisive drink the purple Kool aid. Mike knew them before power hit them square in the head, unless you call leading Arkansas powerful. Razorbacks suck; postponing the home and away deal they had with Texas. Now that’s some hatred right there, I don’t kerr whur ya frum.
I am voting McCain. He’s a war hero who is against torture and has been an actual commander before. But what until the democratic mess stops for Hillary to lay full bore into McCain with hatred, fearful and divisive speech, much like she does her competitor now.
It’s about the power baby!!!!
Thanks Mike. I made a link to this blog on my site. I needed the perspective. You rock, my brother!
P&C,
Before you can say anything else, I think you might want to explain what the doctored picture of Barack Obama on your website is supposed to mean. What is that about? I have one interpretation. And your brazen and contemptuous racism is both disgusting and repulsive. It is a smear on the church that any Christian would associate with you other than to reveal Christ to you and bring the love of Jesus to your disturb and distorted heart.
Tim is right. You’re part of the reason! A big part.
Hmmmm… lost in all this food for thought. Thanks Mike, and to many of you who have written such toughtful comments. Apologies in advance for seeming scattered with my own.
Hatred towards anyone is not fruitful in the Kingdom we should all be focusing on. But after reading all this and watching the American news (Fox) shows that get broadcast over here, I am just so sick and tired of all the political and religious pundits who think they speak for God, and all the media spin in this long presidential race. We who live in other countries know that so few Americans will actually cast a vote in November, yet our way of life will still be greatly affected by the results. And most Americans are so totally disconnected to the fact that how you vote matters to the rest of us. That’s one reason so many of us here know so much about the politicians and political campaign in the US whilst most Americans still think Thatcher was great for the UK, Tony Blair is still our PM, and who IS that guy named Gordon Brown? If he’s a Scot then what’s he doing in England? Sometimes Christianity in the US doesn’t seem to help, especially when the bulk of the bashing and hatred makes the news that bounces across the ocean.
This year during Lent and leading up to Holy Week we studied the politics going on in Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside during the time of Jesus’ ministry. It was politics that eventually and technically put Jesus on the cross. His suffering, although prophesied, was so graphically brutal not just because times then were harsh but also because of the political hornets’ nest going on at that time. Pontius Pilate had headaches every day of his posting there putting out fires between the Jewish leaders and others they were openly uncivil to. Who wouldn’t? (It would be like having to keep peace at PCC meetings or elder’s meetings on a daily basis. Not everyone lives in a smiley face world…)
The battles between the rulers and religious leaders, and those who followed them then, have not changed much by today’s news. The vitriolic spewing and the behaviour of those who were supposed to be Godly resemble much of the tenor in today’s society. There is still little respect, tolerance, compassion and loving treatment towards those who are ‘different’.
Religion and politics are so imbedded with one another that it is just downright discouraging. Man, this whole thing can be so depressing!
Then I read again how an entire village of Samaritans accepted Jesus and his disciples, rejoicing to embrace them and a new way of life, in the midst of all the hatred and name calling going on back then. Do you think they stopped rejoicing when the Jews who were ‘correct’ and even followers of Christ continued to criticise and judge them?
As I re-read it I am reminded that even today the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17 has relevance.
So there’s hope. And as much as we all care, we should light a candle and pray God’s guidance on each of the three candidates, regardless of how we feel about people most of us have only read about and seen through the media’s lens yet have not had the grace to meet with personally for 20 intense minutes.
Peace!
Yup…I think Lipscomb may have been right. Maybe this is the doctored picture with real meaning.
http://timothymarklewis.blogspot.com/2008/03/only-one-source-of-hope.html
Leland,
“Razorbacks suck.”
Okay, now you’ve crossed the line. By far the most offensive comment from this post.
LukeD,
If its any comfort oklahoma sucks more.
i have quickly becoming less and less political, and closer to a Lipscombian view, and I believe this discussion has helped to push me to a commitment.
thanks. you have made a great argument for at least indifference, if not abstinence.
Looks like it’s just you & me, Julie Danley.
Isaac,
I can see how someone could infer that the doctored photo is racist, but the gag is a little more subtle than that. I would explain, but GKB’s mom said that you shouldn’t have to explain jokes.
Oh, snap!
From the mouths of babes…
And, if a child mouthing “That’s Racist!” doesn’t do it for you, I know this will.
Yes, P&C, jokes shouldn’t be explained! Racism is not a joke. I bet you’re hilarious at David Duke Celebration Day Parties.
That is a great story of Hillary, one that is not mentioned much.
http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org
The command to love our enemies does not hold true only if they’re nice to us. Saying “they spew hate too” is a cop out for us not to do as Christ demonstrates.
Tim,
Christ would have hated the sooners I am sure.
Good word, Mike. No need to comment. Just a good, true word. In my experience (and in yours) the people most hated and criticized often turn out to be really great in private conversations, huh?
No, Christ would have hated the BCS.
Tim said, “Saying “they spew hate too” is a cop out for us not to do as Christ demonstrates.”
Tim, who made such an argument?
I have not participated in this blog for a while. I needed a break and now I remember why.
It is imperative that Christians be active participants in the political process. Not so an agenda can be achieved, but so the political process can be commenced with integrity and so the light of Jesus can shine in a dark place.
I have been an elected office holder for more than 14 years. The harshest conversations I have had related to issues facing me in my elected capacity have been held in the church foyer between Bible Class and worship services. I have learned over the years how to delay those conversations. However, the time delay of the conversation does not delay the fervor of their passion.
Bottom line: Christians should be passionately involved in the political process as voters, candidates and office holders. Yet, their passion should not be such that their Christian light and influence is obscured by their obstinate opinions.
I was commenting on the heart of some of the comments on here, not verbatum, and wondered who would argue with it, but since you want clarification.
Roland
Apr 21st, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Jim
Apr 21st, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I’m just saying that the love of Christ must be shown to friends and enemies alike, even when they hate us.
“The rhetoric that comes from the left is not only hateful; it is often extremely vulgar and very anti-Christian.”
Many on the left would make the statement of the right.
“The rhetoric that comes from the right is not only hateful; it is often extremely vulgar and very anti-Christian.”
This is equally true – I’ve heard it, as have many others.
Many on the left have been longing for this “balanced outrage” from the right for a very long time – far longer than those on the right have been looking for it from the left.
It comes from both sides and it’s a shame. But for either side to pretend it’s “the others” who need to change their ways is pretty ridiculous.
Roland, quoting that paragraph of mine does not show I was making the argument that one should not do as Christ demonstrates. Sorry, but the link you are trying to make isn’t there as that was not what I was saying.
Greg, if you want to compare comments from the religious right and comments from the left on a vulgarity scale, I’m willing to do it, but it probably should not be done on this blog. Again, I don’t think I am saying what you are trying to attribute here.
My point is that the Christian left likes to point to the religious right’s outrageous statements. I’m not saying it doesn’t come from both sides; I’m just saying I am amazed at how often the Christian left ignores the outrageous comments of their political allies when condemning the Christian right.
Sorry, I should have addressed that first paragraph in the last post to Tim, not Roland.
Jim, I think I would agree, but I’m not sure if we’re speaking about the same groups or not. (I was speaking specifically about Christian right vs Christian left, excluding non-Christian allies on either side.) Maybe we were, in which case I would still argue that they’re comparable. But even so, no doubt both sides tend to point out wrongs or inconsistencies on the other side more so than they will on their own.
To me a big disconnect here is that those on the right don’t take responsiblity for or express outrage when one of their own (side of the aisle) uses un-Christian language toward their political enemies. This would accurately describe me to a certain extent. Any time someone mentions Ann Coulter I sort of roll my eyes because I don’t feel any responsibility for what she says and I feel no need to apologize for it. It may be kind of narrow, but I only feel responsible for what I say myself. I guess if I officially affiliate with the Republican party and they do something in an official capacity that is contrary to Christ’s example then I should claim some responsibility as well and either recitfy that (unlikely) or dissociate myself from that group. But in any event, I tend to just watch what I say myself.
I haven’t really heard a lot of hate here for any politicians that I can quote. It seems both sides sort of want each other to hold their “side” accountable. That is reasonable I guess if we weren’t all supposed to be on the side of Christ first and foremost. This puts me back to my original argument that any political loyalty, no matter how slight can divide me from my true family.
I do think it is necessary to distinguish what individuals say (both here and in our lives) and what Rush Limbaugh and Michael Moore say. I also think it is necessary to distinguish between political discourse and hateful insults.
The gray area to me might be accusations. When someone calls President Bush a “liar”, only they can know whether they truly believe that or if they are just saying it to be mean. Likewise, with some of the stuff I have seen about the Clintons. Sen. Clinton and President Bush have both given their enemies plenty of ammunition to attack their character and the potential consequences for America that they carry. But this seems to be reasonable items for discussion. (How well you can follow Christ in this discussion may be another question.) Even good humor about political personalities or celebrities seems somewhat bearable. But again I don’t think Jesus would go very far down that path. I can’t imagine him thinking that the toilet paper gag was OK. Just like each of us, remember that George Bush and Hillary Clinton are his children too and I think he would be very defensive if you take a low blow.
by the way, Jim, perhaps your statement made it more clear that we weren’t actually talking about the same people necessarily, as I’ve just noticed. you did say “anti-Christian” while I was reading it as “unChristian”. Sorry for the confusion on my part.