I did not expect Burns Strider when I met Burns Strider. I knew he was Senior Adviser and Director of Faith Based Outreach to Sen. Clinton and her campaign for President. I knew he had worked on faith and values issues for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC). As such, I expected a wonkish, bookish, Northeastern liberal.
What I didn’t expect was a big, bulky evangelical from Mississippi with enough charm to sell snowballs to snowmen and enough gravity in his theology to charm evangelicals anywhere. That, however, is Burns Strider.
He agreed to a quick interview:
So let me get this straight, you are a former Southern Baptist missionary and you are heading up religious outreach for Sen. Clinton? Why?
Now what in the world could you be getting at with this question, David?
I was in Hong Kong with the Southern Baptist during the mid-90’s. It was a sanctifying experience. I taught a lot of English and it’s worth noting there’s a generation of Cantonese who learned proper English such as “yall” and “dawg” instead of “dog.” Can I get an Amen, David?
Why am I working for Senator Clinton? After a few years working on faith and values issues in Congress, I was blessed to join Senator Clinton where I am centered in my calling working for a person of deep faith whom I respect and who believes in ideas and progress — in making this country great — and who delivers.
Senator Clinton has a depth and confidence in and through her faith. I’m always learning something. She’s a United Methodist who knows her Wesleyan principles about service and caring for humanity.
Senator Clinton has a depth and confidence in and through her faith. I’m always learning something. She’s a United Methodist who knows her Wesleyan principles about service and caring for humanity.
Senator Clinton’s vision of inclusion and justice, service and opportunity is as close to my evangelical roots as can be found. I look forward to getting to work everyday.
What is the one thing people do not understand about her faith?
Everyone knows that Senator Clinton is meticulous in her thought process. She knows policy to the last detail. She understands how to make government work for people, be it FEMA or the USDA.
But, what people don’t really know, yet, is that she has spent her entire life living out a real and productive faith. In her church youth group she learned that faith could change the world. It was through that group, as a teenager, she heard Dr. King preach – not surprisingly a transforming experience.
We renew ourselves daily, right? This epitomizes Senator Clinton; in Little Rock she spent time teaching her Sunday School class because she wanted it to be more Bible-based. She even developed her own Sunday School lessons. She held church picnics on the Governor’s Mansion lawn.
As First Lady and Senator she has worked to bring about a solution to the genocide in Darfur, expand health coverage to everyone and make sure the families of injured soldiers could use the Family Medical Leave Act, to name only a few initiatives. This is grace in action. People need to know these things because they are who she is.
Do you worry that politics may corrupt the church or damage the name of Jesus?
Yes I do. Faith is not one of a long list of issues and constituencies. It’s the core of a person; the prism for viewing all the other issues. We, those of us who work in faith outreach and strategy in campaigns, have to be extremely careful and watchful of what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.
We have to always present the candidate in all her authenticity, whatever that authenticity may be and we have to always treat faith, and people of faith, with service and respect. Faith is not a strategic tool for a campaign to employ on an as-need-be basis. Faith is real or its not; it either permeates a process or it’s not present.
The church must be every bit as mindful, too. The church can’t become a tool for narrow ideology or the mission is lost. We don’t define God but rather God defines us and our mission, as individuals and the church.
There were lots of stories about how the Kerry campaign sneered at any faith outreach. Are you getting any of that?
Sneer? Are you sure? Well, I’m not so sure about that but, regardless, there’s no sneering here. In fact, there is an openness, interest and desire for a robust faith outreach program in the Hillary Clinton campaign. I’m at the senior table every morning, engaged in the decisions and actions of the campaign.
Some folks, it seems, think the faith shop in a campaign is tucked away in a corner focusing only on houses of worship and preachers and rabbis and it’s not part of the larger process. Not true here. It’s fully integrated.
Also, our program isn’t unidirectional where all we do is tell people of faith about Senator Clinton. A big part of what we do is listen to the faith community. And for this, it’s a stronger campaign.
If given the choice would you vote for Jesus or Sen. Clinton?
Jesus, though I wonder if the Supreme Court would be willing to provide some kind of waiver since He wasn’t born in the United States? You should have asked about running mates, too.
posted September 20, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Still ain’t gonna vote for her.
posted September 21, 2007 at 7:44 am
Great Guy, great canidate, great future for our country.
posted September 21, 2007 at 10:14 am
To my good friend, Burns…
The fact that David Kuo would ask the question, “Who would you vote for, Jesus or Sen. Clinton, suggests that he has not yet recovered from his sojourn into Messianic politics, ala GW…
I would never vote for Jesus, simply out of fear that He would be praying, “Get behind me, Satan.” (a digit away from Stan)…Jesus on a ballot is a cave-in to the temptation in the desert…
The running mate, however, raises an interesting question…If the Apostles James and John were denied access to the right hand of Jesus in the Kingdom, one wonders who the running mate might be in the sellout…Since Jesus would have fallen for the temptation to inherit the world by worshiping Satan (a digit away from Stan), it would appear that Satan’s best would be the appropriate running mate…
Perhaps John Hagee? What about Benny Hinn? Neither Jerry Falwell nor D. James Kennedy is available, as they are no longer coming down for morning devotions…Dobson is too focused on the family…I’ve got it! Joel Osteen! That’s the one! His lips never leave his mouth…What he misses in rhetoric, he makes up for in mime…
Blessings, on you, you old curmudgeon…One step ahead of the interviewer, as usual…
posted September 21, 2007 at 11:10 am
“The church must be every bit as mindful, too. The church can’t become a tool for narrow ideology or the mission is lost. We don’t define God but rather God defines us and our mission, as individuals and the church.”
Narrow ideology?
That is what the Democrats literally are. Their Marxist-socialist secular humanist agenda is not hidden. It only goes one direction. And it ain’t a Christian one. And no Baptist connected to a United Methodist is going to sway away those for whom the Bible is not twisted to promote abominations and perversions as a civil right.
Liberals, or excuse me “Progressives” literally define and re-define God whenever they need to bend Him for a voter block. Look at Hilary and the gay vote. To Democrats God supports same-gender marriage – which Jesus is clear on that He doesn’t – abortion is a cool birth control method for continued unfettered promiscuity – which the Aposltes taught against – and Humanistic socialism is the only way to rule the populace. And please, the poor are festering in Democrat controlled cities every day.
Now just how is Mrs. Clinton and her Baptist buddy representing people of the Christian Community, if you actually use the Christians that brought us the Christian Community in the writings of the New Testament?
Jesus, to a Progressive, is the not the same today as he was yesterday, can be changed tomorrow, and certainly won’t be the same forever as “Progress” – to expand on “progressiveism” – never ends.
I believe the mission was never undertaken in the first place when it comes to Progressive and Liberal Democrats. At least not a Christian “mission.” Their ideology of “anything goes” (except morality) is too narrow. It’s anything goes at any cost. And tat cost is always forced on the morally sound families. Interesting how many people have died walking the Progressive/Liberal path. And still are.
And by the way, I’m not voting for Mrs. Clinton. No matter how hard David tries to get me to.
posted September 21, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Well, Hilary will certainly get my vote unless the Republicans select someone other than the aspirants currently seeking the nomination. If there were no other reason other than this crazy war that has already claimed the lives of over 3500 Americans and countless Iraquis. Somehow, the “moral Republicans” will find a way to justify voting for a candidate who is already on his third wife, so I reject their argument that their decisions are in any way Bible based. They have decided to pick and choose the portions of Scripture that matter to them in order to justify their own opinions. May God have mercy on their souls!
posted September 23, 2007 at 5:55 am
I don’t expect any conservative Christians to change their minds and vote for Senator Clinton. But I hope they realize that the alternative is the party of Senator “Down-Low from Idaho” Craig and Rep. “Touchy-Feely” Foley from Florida.
The best possible outcome would be for religious conservatives to sit out worldly politics altogether. Rededicate yourselves to compassion for the poor. Pray silently in private. Get the log out of your own eye.
Failing that, throw your full weight behind Gary Bauer, or maybe even Alan Keyes.
posted September 24, 2007 at 12:41 am
“That is what the Democrats literally are. Their Marxist-socialist secular humanist agenda is not hidden. It only goes one direction. And it ain’t a Christian one.”
Wow, someones been drinking the koolaid… And the pristine republican agenda is what exactly??
“And please, the poor are festering in Democrat controlled cities every day.”
Yeah, heck, if the repubs controlled those cities, those pesky poor would just starve and rot away, so that problem would go away really quick! BTW, what about the poor all over the rural areas, have you looked at the stats lately? I suppose all of those small towns are democrat controlled, too?
posted September 25, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Sounds like social gospel tinged with good ole boy Southern-speak. I see nothing here to indicate that he’s got anything that the majority of evangelical voters would care about and certainly nothing to sway voters away from the desire to vote against Hillary no matter who her opponent might be.
posted October 17, 2007 at 11:59 pm
I cannot comprehend this so called minister of the Gospel spouting praise for a woman that associates herself with an politica group/organization that calls for abortion rights, forgiveness and/or respect for those professing to be homosexuals, and on and on and on. His missionary efforts as a teacher do not qualify him for recognition as other than that. How many did he lead to Jesus during his vacation in China.
posted October 30, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Ooooooooh, I get it! He & Hillary are the ethnic cleansing in utero regiment of God’s army.
posted September 23, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hey Brother,
I have never been more proud of you. God Bless you and keep up the great work you are doing.
posted November 1, 2008 at 10:27 pm
The below letter written by an African American Christan states why christians should not vote for Obama. Christians wake Up
A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it’s worth repeating…
First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him. Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow. I can’t dictate the terms He does because He is the leader.
Below is the reason Christian Should Not Vote For Obama. Wake up Christians. This Letter was written By an African American Christain.
I can’t vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that’s who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither
should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 20 years from now I won’t be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.
In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell
research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter.
We need to follow Martin Luther King’s words, don’t judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their
character. I don’t know Obama so all I can go off is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007. NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008) To beat Ted Kennedy and Hilary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what
would happen to America if he had four years to work with.
There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100 % rating.
There is a reason the homosexual community supports him.
There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him.
There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court.
There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill.
There is a reason he voted No on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.
There is a reason he voted No on banning partial birth abortion.
There is a reason he voted No on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.
Let’s take a look at the practice he wanted to continue:
The 5 Step Partial Birth Abortion procedures:
A. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby’s leg with forceps.(Remember this is a live baby)
B. The baby’s leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
C. The abortionist delivers the baby’s entire body, except for the head.
D. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby’s skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole.
E. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child’s brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.
God help him.
There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law.
Think about this: You can’t give a kid an aspirin without parental notification but that same kid can have an abortion
without parental notification. This is insane.
There is a reason he went to Jeremiah Wright’s church for 20 years. Obama tells us he has good judgment but he sat under
Jeremiah Wright teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright’s sermons. I wonder why now?
Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 – 20 ‘Go and make disciples of all nations.’ This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him?
Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a
1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community.
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System.
Would you support a President who went to a church like that? Just change the word from white to black and you have
the tenets of Obama’s former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside.
This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discover he went to a racist church. The
church can’t be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world.
A church can’t have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandate. It does not matter if it’s a white church or a black church it’s still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.
Obama’s former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation. Cone once wrote: ‘Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.
Cone is the man Obama’s mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this? So what does all this mean for the nation?
In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing – judgment. Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king. First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 ‘Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them
know what the king who will reign over them will do.’ Then God says 1 Samuel 1:18 ‘ When that day comes, you will cry out
for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer yoin that day.’ 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. ‘No!’ they said. ‘We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.’ 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22
The LORD answered, ‘Listen to them and give them a king.’
Here is what we know for sure. God is not schizophrenic. He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one
to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it.
For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy.
I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama’s positions. Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends. Since we know someone’s value system has to be placed on the nation,
1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation.
2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation