Just before the election in 1972 my students (in a Christian high school) asked what I thought would happen. I said Nixon would win, but he would be forced out of office before his term was up. "Oh, Mr. Harvey, you only say that because you don't like Nixon." (The school vote went: students 100% Nixon, faculty 80% Nixon.)

Many months later I was able to say, "Hey, do you guys remember what I said before the election?" Oh. Wow. "Mr. Harvey! How did you know that?" Well, I was just paying a little more attention than most of the Christians around me.

The dishonesty and corruption of this administration make Nixon look like one of the really good guys in American history. But, as then, today's Christians in general cannot see it. They were told by their leaders to get out and vote Bush or this country is down the drain. So they did.

There are thus two huge questions coming out of this election.

First, why are Christians so willfully blind to the moral realities of the Bush agenda?

Second, will "the wheels come off" of this administration, as they did for Nixon?

I'm inclined to think they will not, since the neocons behind the scenes have been so smart and wholehearted in their manipulation of church and media, and so effective at dominating all areas of government. I'm pretty pessimistic. It seems Lincoln's "great experiment" in "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" is perishing from this land - by vote of the well-manipulated people. What's your take on this?

"George Bush is a well-meaning, committed, born-again Christian" but just does not have the skills or ability to handle the job -- so argues a gentle, passionate, intelligent paper I received yesterday.

I do not agree with every sentence in this paper, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT -- especially to born-again, evangelical, or even fundamentalist Christians -- for careful, prayerful reading. Here are a few excerpts (thanks to the author).

Please bring this to the attention of any 'conservative' Christians on your mailing list, or even to the whole list.  They each deserve the opportunity to evaluate this for themselves.  Thank you for your time and attention.

"Dear Fellow Christians,

"In 2000 we elected a President whose Christian faith was comforting and reassuring to many of us. It seemed he could turn this country in a new moral direction, and restore dignity to the White House.

W Confuses Jesus with Machiavelli

The person and name of Jesus mean many things to many people; but when that name is used to cover or promote evil or dishonesty then we're not really dealing with Jesus. He has been replaced by those who misuse his name.

That's a Machiavellian strategy. I just read a book about Machiavelli's importance for today by a man who advises the White House. While I read, I made two cursory lists in the front of the book.(1)

1) Machiavellian values: war, dominate, defeat, fearsome,

Many Americans believe in God and believe in prayer.  Here's why and how I pray for Kerry - Edwards and other Democrats to win.

It's not our place to try to shove God around. But it is our place to care about what's happening, to try to understand it, and to take a personal stand before God on that basis. I cannot pretend that I do not see what I see. So I pray accordingly.

My God loves me and treats me with the respect due to a grown-up human. I respect God and do not try to shove God around.

But the first part of that respect is to be honest with God about the deep concerns and convictions that arise out of my own life, experiences, and current awareness.

The second part of that respect is to be open to correction, or to the possibility that my take on things is pretty accurate but my knowledge is just not extensive enough.

Either way, in all our goings let's be sure we also go to The Top. If one thing is clear in the Bible it's that we are invited and welcome to do so. The key is integrity and decency in our approach to God, just as with any other person.

For example: Lord God, you know how much I care about these things. I ask you to support and enable a strong Kerry-Edwards victory in this election. Lord, that's where I stand. I want that. And we really need a Senate that will be supportive of Kerry. There's a lot else around us that needs attention, but I see this election as a crisis of immense significance. Lord God, honor the honorable, and dishonor the dishonorable (I name or think of some of them)- that exactly Your kind of thing. And, O God, do bless and support the many good men and women (I name or think of some of them) who are working to undo this radically dishonest madness sweeping our nation. We respect and appreciate them and their intense efforts on our behalf; do honor and support that goodness. (Etc. etc.) Amen." Everybody's words and ways of expression will be different. That's literally wonderful.
In sum:

on the basis of what I know about current national and world reality,
and in line with what I see as clear Biblical moral priorities,
I have no hesitation in approaching God frequently to seriously and passionately seek a Kerry - Edwards victory,
plus victory in several key Senate races and some House races.
These things are of immense importance for the welfare of my people and my world, and I find in the heart of God a profound sympathy for those concerns of mine.
Prayer is in some ways a risk - but it's the best risk. Please join me in such praying if you in any way can. They key is honesty with humility - or respectful open-heartedness. The key is to open up one's soul before the great One Who Sees All. With that, God is well pleased.

Then, let's put FEET on those prayers!

Shabby Morals of the Religious Right      August 22, 2004

Someone posted a new comment on the "Christians for Kerry" page that is a classic example of the problems in the morality of the religious right. Here are excerpts:

"There have to be "moral absolutes". Too long we have all gone into the "grey" area. Do you believe that abortion is okay? .... Democratic & Republican "Christians" have to decide that "sin" is sin and make a stand on the obvious."
Why are so few sins emphasized by the 'right'? And the Republicans have NOT helped us reduce the frequency of even those few. Further, why are only 'other peoples' sins taken into consideration while the churches' sins and the Republicans' sins are ignored? After all, God's judgment begins with those who claim most publicly to be God's people.

"wrong is wrong and must be opposed..." Well, ok.

How about lying in the White House? Clinton lied for a few days about an issue peripheral to governing and national security. The Bush administration lies repeatedly, perhaps daily, about the most crucial matters.

How about exposing CIA agents so our national defense is compromised and informants' lives are put at risk, purely for partisan political gain?

How about preemptive war for the first time in our history, based on false information and violating the

To an email (to my website) wondering how a Christian could support Kerry I replied with this:

"Thanks for your courteous email! (Courtesy seems to be a rare commodity among outspoken Republicans these days. You are to be commended.)

"Kerry stands much more for Biblical values than Bush. Kerry has been a public servant of serious moral attentiveness, profound integrity and rigorous mental discipline all his years. Bush has been unwilling to bring any of those virtues to bear on his great responsibilities.

"Christians who value integrity, responsible behavior, honesty, and personal submission to Biblical values need to vote for Kerry - Edwards. Otherwise they will contribute to increasing unnecessary suffering and death here at home and around the world for the sake of the egos and bank accounts of those currently in power in this country. This is very much a choice between Christian morality and Machiavellian manipulation of believers and churches for an extreme right-wing anti-American agenda.

"Thanks again for your email. Let us all pray humbly and seriously for the presence of the Spirit and the achievement of God's will in this election."
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We must become the change we want to see. --Gandhi

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