just what I was talking about

[winterbadger]

http://www.philocrites.com/archives/001333.html

Read all of it, but this is perhap the most moving to me.

My faith, and the faith I have seen in the lives of so many Americans, also teaches me that, “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.” That means we have a moral obligation to one another, to the forgotten, and to those who live in the shadows. This is a moral obligation at the heart of all our great religious traditions. It is also the vision of America: “E Pluribus Unum.” The ethical test of a good society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. . . .

The Bible tells us that in others we encounter the face of God: “I was hungry and you fed me; thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you received me in your homes; naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.” This is the final judgment of who we are and what our life will mean.

I believe we must keep faith, not only with the Creator, but also with present and future generations. . . .

I know there are some Bishops who have suggested that as a public official I must cast votes or take public positions — on issues like a woman’s right to choose and stem cell research — that carry out the tenets of the Catholic Church. I love my Church; I respect the Bishops; but I respectfully disagree.

My task, as I see it, is not to write every doctrine into law. That is not possible or right in a pluralistic society. But my faith does give me values to live by and apply to the decisions I make. . . .

My faith gives me hope that we will come together and rise to that challenge. I believe we will find the strength to live out the words of President Kennedy that, “Here on Earth, God’s work must truly be our own.”

This isn’t about being a Democrat or a Republican. It’s about bringing Democrats and Republicans together for a higher purpose. It’s about the principles that have made America a land of opportunity and compassion — and a beacon to all the world. It’s about that dream of “liberty and justice for all” — the vision that defines our destiny and our mission. We will never fully finish that journey — not on this earth. But let us move forward with a strong and active faith. I don't want to claim that God is on our side. As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God's side.

I am only deeply sorry we did not hear more of this during the campaign.

I'm not talking about shifting the Democratic Party to the right.

I'm not talking about giving up on the ideals of liberalism or the promise of progressivism.

I'm talking about relating that to middle America in terms of the faith that most Americans hold.

I'm talking about showing the people of this great country (because it *can* be great, if it's well led) that "Christian" doesn't automatically mean "conservative", that belief in God doesn't directly lead to bigotry and intolerance.

I wish John Kerry had done more of this. Because reading this, my heart is just broken that the man who could say all this was rejected in favor of a man who speaks of religion as source for exclusion and discrimination.

Comments

...So...sad...

[bright-serpent.livejournal.com]

That sounds like the sort of man I'd want to be President despite his flaws...not just like the sort of man I'd pick instead of Bush. That sounds like the sort of man I'd get drafted for, trusting that, even if the war was wrong in the beginning, he would make it right by the end.

I wish I'd heard more of that during the campaign, too. Is it just me, or do you think candidates MIGHT be better off to tell the truth for a change rather than jockey for position?