In an interview with Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin responded to the host’s question about her attacks on Barack Obama. Praising her for “forcefulness,” Rush asked, “Can you attack as you wish?” Palin replied, “I’ve got nothing to lose in this.”
Well, Governor Palin, nothing but your soul.
Mrs. Palin was obviously added to the ticket to shore up “the base,” including, of course, the sizable community of conservative Christian voters. And Sarah Palin is a Christian, baptized as a Catholic, re-baptized as a Pentecostal, and, it appears a regular churchgoer with interests in theology and ministry. As a sister Christian, I cannot and do not question her faith–no matter how differently we interpret the message and teachings of Jesus.
Sister Sarah, the Bible says that if I disagree with you, I should come to you directly to talk about my concerns. But I hear that you are not doing any interviews. So, I need to share with you my worries about your spiritual life on this blog–and call you to account for your attacks–that “Pit Bull” quality that you have parlayed into your signature political style. While attack politics may be grist for the mill in the Alaska Republican party, it is not acceptable behavior from a follower of Jesus.
Although I am now a progressive Episcopalian (wink), I come from a long line of Pentecostal evangelists and preachers. They loved Jesus and they loved to quote scripture. From them, I developed a deep love of the Bible. And, from those Pentecostal relatives (as well as my friends in a Bible church I once attended), I also learned that the scriptures (both the Hebrew stories and the Christians ones) expressly forbid attacking the reputation of one’s neighbor.
The Ninth Commandment (Exodus 20:16), one of those verses upon which the Judeo-Christian moral tradition is built, says “Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Jewish law expands this idea by forbidding the spread of “false reports.” The wisdom literature of Proverbs says that false witness is deceitful, that false witnesses will not “go unpunished,” and the “false witness will perish.” The prophet Isaiah warns, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” Evidently, attacking one’s neighbor on the basis of half-truths or outright lies is a serious moral offense.
The New Testament is equally clear. Jesus says that the summary of the law is to “love one’s neighbor as one’s self.” Exactly what part of attack politics counts as loving one’s neighbor? St. Paul writes that Christians are not those whose words contribute to public ugliness; rather, as he writes: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, think on these things. And, in the book of Galatians, he flatly states that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
I have to ask: How does your pride in attacking Senator Obama actually fit in with your Christian faith? How do you reconcile being a Christian with your approach to politics? How can you rejoice in acting in a way that directly contradicts the sacred texts of the faith of the millions and millions of Christian people you are supposed to represent?
Of course, politics isn’t a pretty business. And, of course, it involves making a case for your beliefs and policies through contrast with an opponent. But can you honestly make a case for Christian attack politics, brag, and make jokes about it without any sense of pained conscience or spiritual doubt?
I don’t expect much from your running mate, Senator McCain. After all, he hasn’t made a very big deal about being a Christian and it isn’t at all clear what he thinks about God and Jesus. But you have and I expect better from you and cannot keep quiet any more. It pains me to see you violating the plain words of scripture as written by the lawgiver Moses, King Solomon, the prophet Isaiah, the apostle Paul and our Lord and Savior Jesus.
As your sister in Christ, I ask you to stop. Not for the sake of Senator Obama, but the sake of your own soul. As, I suspect that my Pentecostal grandmother would say to you, “It just ain’t right. It ain’t Christian.”
posted October 14, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Amen.
‘Bout time someone said it. Thanks.
posted October 14, 2008 at 11:00 pm
If you are a deep lover of the Bible as you state in the blog, then you must also know that Christ did not sit peacefully by when he saw the truth being trampled upon by false prophets. He spoke the Truth and even turned over the tables in anger toward ungodly people who were using God’s house for their own gain. I do admire Gov. Palin on her stand against abortion. First and foremost, we as christians should be guided by God’s laws when taking any side in politics. The Sanctity of Life should be our number one priority when we cast our votes this November.
posted October 14, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Gee, Sandra, thanks for the nuanced view of the Gospel there and for so thoughtfully engaging the author’s point.
posted October 14, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Diana,
You are so right….
posted October 14, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Diana: what makes you so sure Mrs. Palin’s “attacks” are untrue statements and not the truth? Yes, none of us should should bear false witness, nor cast stones while looking through the plank in our own eye! I myself fear any person who would give up his life-long religion (Islam) to become President of the United STates. Would he then as easily give up the United States if terrorists made way into the White House? My thoughts aside…
I believe ALL sisters and brothers in the Lord need to pray for guidance and direction. Pray for this Country, then GET OUT AND VOTE. See if there is an elderly person in your congregation that needs a ride to the polls, be pro-American- Pray and Vote
posted October 15, 2008 at 12:00 am
“The Sanctity of Life should be our number one priority when we cast our votes this November.”
What about the sanctity of life after that life is born? Where should that fall as a priority? Should we stand idly by as our infant mortality rate continues growing? Should we stand idly by as more and more children live in poverty?
For that matter, should we stand idly by as women who are faced with poverty become convinced that an abortion is the only way out because there are no services to help them keep their child? Should we provide them with healthcare during their pregnancy? Should we provide them with parenting classes, post-natal child care, and other benefits that, when provided, have been shown to lower the number of abortions taking place?
Or should our only efforts be at overturning Roe?
posted October 15, 2008 at 12:33 am
The problem with Liberal/Progressive Christians is that truth is sacrificed to support Obama. Even Obama opposes real change that would lower the number of abortions in this country.
See link:
http://theologica.blogspot.com/2008/10/robert-p-george-voting-for-most-extreme.html
posted October 15, 2008 at 4:13 am
I think Judith is the most correct, so far? What has Sarah said that isn’t the truth?
posted October 15, 2008 at 6:36 am
David..It so unfortunate that we are using this medium to discuss politics..since is a forum I feel reserved for prayers and meditation
and that open letter by Diana has substance .and I too like many question her character and her behavior as a “christian”. ..the mayor is indeed a woman who incite hatred and one who destort the truth..and then again there is the troopergate case..I/m glad she is not a catholic…(she and her vodoo minister)
posted October 15, 2008 at 8:49 am
Sarah Palin is a true Christian given her stand against gay marriage. I don’t see how you bash her when the entire world is already against her. The mere fact that the media is against her already shows me that she is truly of Christ because if you’re of Christ, the world will hate you.
Obama’s pastor is not even a true Christian at all. What Christian says that “Islam is an equally valid way to GOD”? What Christian holds homosexual night at his own church in which he marries of gay couples?
Now Sarah Palin’s pastor on the other hand is rather consistent with what the Bible teaches. We shouldn’t destroy God’s marriage, support the deaths of the unborn or any such immorality.
By the way, the Bible also makes it very clear in the area of race:
There is and always was one race: humanity/mankind.
Obama is not “black” but rather a GOD-created human being, and he’s nationally American.
Just read Acts 17:26-28
If we are in GOD’s image, why do we consider ourselves according to man’s imagination which is “black”, “white”, “asian” or “hispanic”? God only created mankind, so where did “races” come from?
posted October 15, 2008 at 10:20 am
It cannot be said loud enough, long enough or clear enough. Barack Obama is NOT a Muslim (alhtough if he were, it shouldn’t matter because the US Constitution prohibits religious tests for office and there are millions of patriotic Americans who are Muslims). His father was a secular Muslim, his mother an agostic. His grandparents–including his African grandmother–are Christians. Thus, Senator Obama was raised in a multi-cultural, largely secular home, whose religion was, if anything, education and hard work. He converted to Christianity after moving to Chicago as a young adult. He is, to my knowledge, the only adult convert Christian who has ever sought to become President. All other presidents were baptized into some form of the Christian faith as infants or young teens.
This is just an example of what I wrote about: lying about one’s neighbor is false witness.