GOP Debate: Who would Jesus Christ Bomb?
by Spocko
I won’t be watching the GOP schlong measuring contest tonight because I’m going to see some real comedians, Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieu at SF Sketchfest.
But when I do watch I’m going to be listening for how the candidates establish their credentials with what they believe Evangelical Christians want to hear.
Will they talk about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Maybe Ben Carson can talk about Jesus and this portrait. (This is really in his house- Snopes link )
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| Portrait of Dr. Ben Carson posing with Jesus. |
Will they talk about their work with the poor? Will they explain how their medical health care programs will lead to more healing of the sick?
Will they use classic stories of forgiveness, love and inclusiveness of their neighbor like the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan?
Will they repeat that seasonal story of people taking in refugees fleeing persecution?
Will they talk about how Jesus’ line from the beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” informs their world view? (“Did he say cheese makers?”)
No. Of course not. Those ideas and attitudes ascribed to Jesus Christ are seen by a vocal faction of Christians as weak and meek. The only story of Jesus they like is the one where he is kicking the money changers out of the temple. (Hmmm. Who would be kicked out of the temple in today’s world?)
With Carly out of the picture, who will bring up lies about Planned Parenthood?
They will talk about how tough they are and how ready they are to kill people. They want to rain down massive death from above as soon as possible. Because that is the solution that they believe makes them look the toughest, even if it isn’t effective, even if it is a war crime, and even if it is immoral.
The successful, safe return of US sailors in Iran, by talking to people, has really upset the people at Fox and Friends and Friends. (link) They really wanted an excuse to bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran. This is Brian Kilmeade to State Department spokesman John Kirby.
KILMEADE: But you look SO WEAK! The State Department is making America look weak and meek. And that is the message to the Middle East where you spend the most of your career.
I know that for millions of Christians, when it comes to their desire to kill and their willingness to support leaders who want to engage in killing, ignoring the teachings of Christ is something they do everyday. Over the centuries they have created a number of reasons and rationalizations to allow it. The reasons range from the Just War theory, to self defense in the face of active attacks. Now they want to include preemptive strikes–sometimes on entire regions–other times on people of a single faith.
Occasionally, when I read some exceptionally vicious comment about wanting to bomb, kill or torture people I simply ask, “Are you Christian?” For some it gives them pause, but for others it seems strange that someone would expect their faith to have anything to do with their views on killing adults and children around the world.
I know that US Presidential candidates aren’t running for the job of Jesus or moral leader. But all of the GOP candidates will call out their Christianity as their moral center. Maybe someone could point out the disconnect between the things they say they will do vs. the teachings of the faith they claim to adhere to.
What if they claim they have a moral code, but they reject it when given various scenarios as President? Is Christianity REALLY at the heart of their moral code? Or is their moral code actually something else?
At the last GOP debate it sounded to me like they were all itching for the chance to push their actual code vs. the code they claim to believe.
After you watch this clip from the Dead Zone tell me, “Which one of these Christian candidates can you imagine ignoring a diplomatic solution in favor of bombing? Who would be more likely to bully his way into control and say, “The missiles are flying, hallelujah!”
Peace and long life,
–Spocko