RNC’s Most Important Line Yet
September 4, 2008 · By Matthew
Sarah Palin did a great job last night; Giuliani mopped the floor with the lore of Obama and President Bush managed a home run, but the most important line of the week was just given by Joe Gibbs, former Washington Redskins head coach:
Wouldn’t it be great if, when making those decisions [in Washington], someone said ‘What would God think of what we’re doing?’
If the GOP took this line to heart, and applied it in elected office, America would definately live up to the Obamian rhetoric of hope and the traditional religious right notion of America’s greatness amongst the nations. The fact that a political party’s convention would produce such a statement goes to show just how truly free and sane that party’s country can be!
I don’t really know you that well, Matthew, but I like to think that Jesus loves me too.
But even I don’t think that Presidents asking the question “WWJD?” is going to make a better presidency. Consider the consequences for Canada resulting from universal health care, welfare, and now “safe injection” and “harm reduction” policies come from a “Christian” desire to help one’s fellow man. In fact, Tommy Douglas was an old-fashioned Baptist preacher.
Personal ethics, informed by faith in God would be nice, but policy-making by bracelet doesn’t strike me as a panacaea.
I worry that the power of political office tends to override real piety, and those in power often use religion to justify their beliefs, not guide them. History has shown us that some people can convince themselves that anything is justifiable under their religious beliefs, including Christianity.
I don’t mean to malign the genuinely pious. Many come by their political beliefs honestly, and are influenced or guided by their religion.