Good Christian Man
What is that? Who is that?
I keep hearing that term tossed around in political circles and I remain baffled because I'm not sure I know one. Or at least, I should say, the ones I do know don't feel the need to go out and declare it in the way some politicos do. I do know of a handful who walk the walk and for those few…I have great respect. They aren't always 'christians' though…they just walk that walk.
As for little 'ole me…I tend to seek my own answers and encourage others to do the same. I realized a long time ago that I didn't need the baggage that comes with organized religion. It's different for everyone though and I acknowledge and try to respect that.
But, none of that is my point. Religion and spirituality are very personal. It is something that one lives by example not by declaration. And when citizens support a candidate who insists on constantly declaring their religion they kid themselves. If you think…REALLY…think…that simply because a political candidate annoints himself a 'good christian man' that it means he will be a fine politician…you're a sucker.
I tried to think of a kinder word but I couldn't. Don't be a sucker. Because even the finest so-called 'good christian men' have skeletons. And if they think skeletons won't come out in this political climate…they're kidding themselves.
The best advice I have for any politician…don't run as a saint. You ain't one. None of us are. Just be a person who is trying to work to make things better.
And to everyone who believes politicians don't drink booze, do drugs, screw around on their partner, gamble, lie, cheat…or whatever 'sin' you may frown upon…WAKE UP already. Politicians are just people. Not Jesus. They are just as capable of doing those things as the rest of us.
Quit judging and electing them on what you think they should be in your eyes and simply start choosing people who might be able to actually FIX OUR PROBLEMS. They do have resumes…you might consider taking a look at qualifications for a change.
Politicians are no different than you or me. They tend to be people who either want to truly change the way things are done or simply people who want to build their resume.
It's up to me and you to open our eyes, research, determine their motives and vote accordingly.
Regardless, none of them are perfect and you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you think they are.
t
SeedingSpartanburg.com
on 15 Jul 2010 at 8:56 am # Sylvie Galloway
I wonder, if the label “good Christian man” is an attempt for the candidate to gain affinity with potential voters, especially traditionally minded ones.
And of course you are correct, we SHOULD be electing people on the basis of their resume, not simply because of cultural or social status. While who they relate to can be important, it is equally or more important to know what they have done. That helps us know if they are qualified for the position, and how they would carry out the duties of that position.
That’s how I generally pick out candidates. But then I am rather odd.
on 15 Jul 2010 at 9:02 am # cw
maybe the newspapers could give links to their resumes
or even publish them in a “know your canidate” graphic…
maybe tv news could do it in HD. lol
Good point, I’ve never seen a canidates c.v. I think
the news outlets are more concerned with juicy stories and soundbites than being a source of valuable information.
on 15 Jul 2010 at 10:52 am # Sylvie Galloway
Excellent idea CW. I think we could come up with something, at least on the local and state level over at The Spark.
on 15 Jul 2010 at 3:00 pm # Chris
It has always baffled me how politicians always state their religious status, as if they are applying for a preacher’s job. And another thing; why call yourself a “good Christian man”, when nobody is calling anyone a “bad Christian man”? What does it MEAN anyway? What’s it SUPPOSED to mean? There obviously are assumptions that the candidate hopes are being made when they call themselves that.
And what’s the difference in those assumptions if someone claims to be a “good Jewish man”? “Family man?”
I prefer definitions to assumptions. Just sayin’.
on 19 Jul 2010 at 3:50 pm # Leah
“Good Christian Man” = code for ultra conservative Republican, probably a white anglo-saxon protestant. Who has money probably. Or owns a business.
on 28 Jul 2010 at 12:44 pm # Beware of politicians bearing bibles « The Cotton Boll Conspiracy
[...] of the blog Seeding Spartanburg recently penned an intriguing post that posited the questions “What is a good Christian man?” and, just as [...]