Faith, Politics and Values
September 19th, 2006 @ 5:54 pm
Democrats don’t talk much about faith. It’s not that they don’t have faith and values, because truly the very foundation of what Democrats are about is all about faith and values. It’s different sort of faith and values than the conservatives tout, but it is the faith, in my book that Jesus taught 2 millennia ago. And if you take a good long look at any theology or religious philosophy, you’ll see the same values across the board. Long before politics called me to get involved, a question of faith called me to take a deeper look at who I was and how I got there. I found the answers in the myriad of wisdom from some of the great spiritual masters. It shaped who I am today and why I am here, blogging about politics everyday.
Yesterday, I sat rapt listening to John Kerry speak about faith and values at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. Pepperdine, known for it’s conservative leaning had invited the Senator to speak on that subject. His speech was deeply personal and profoundly moving and it reaffirmed why I am here, and why I believe deeply in John Kerry as a leader that America needs, now and in the future.
America, the world is changing and as our lives grow more complex, we all seek something that speaks to our hearts, that addresses our longing for something simpler, something that resounds in our souls. Applebee’s America says what drives people to the polls, are “Gut Values,” and Democrats often are seen as missing the boat in connecting with voters on these values.
Kerry’s speech yesterday was an effort to urge people of faith, all faiths to work together cooperatively on problems that all people should be concerned about — poverty, global warming and reducing the number of abortions. The “godly tasks,” Kerry called them, that transcend our nation’s culture wars.
“This discussion does not belong in the sole purview of one side of the political aisle,” Kerry reminded us and, “There will always be those bent on corrupting our political discourse.” Reflecting on the ‘04 campaign, Kerry told the audience at Pepperdine, largely students, “no matter your party, your ideology, or your faith, we are all done a disservice when the debate is reduced to ugly and untrue caricatures.”
“Both my parents taught me early on,” Kerry said, “that we are all put on this earth for something greater than ourselves.” In choosing a life of public service, John Kerry forged that path that we all must forge, and it was not without it’s tests.
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