This diary is a product of several diaries posted this last week, coupled with a few random comments that I and others have written. But somehow today with Dr. SteveB's diary (which, if you haven't yet participated, please do), many of my thoughts about being a Christian, and being a Democrat, coalesced in my mind.
The statement "I am a Democrat because I Am Christian" was made by Rev. Jim Nelson before the Georgia State Democratic Convention in October last year. For me, this statement is both an intensely personal faith journey and an active political principle of how to be in the world.
In reference to the title, below is Jim Nelson's brief speech:
As a Christian, I believe that it starts with my own inward search, my journey is to find the spirit within me and set myself straight(or least on the right road) with God. It's a matter of openness, stillness, listening in emptiness to hear and own the Word. We may share our journeys with others, but the path is our own to follow. Jesus's teachings direct both the inwardness and the outwardness of our transient life. When I contemplate the Gospels what I hear is share what you have, help the poor, the needy, the sick. Give refuge to the homeless, reach out to the prisoner, welcome the stranger. Refrain from judging, tend to the log in your own eye before trying to pluck the splinter from your neighbor's. Forgive because you have been forgiven. Hold yourself in readiness; if you are too busy and loud internally and externally, you may never see God at your door. Righteousness is not, and never will be, self-righteousness.
That said, how could I not be a Democrat? As we all must be in this world, how else as a Christian, could I act in our body politic. How could I possibly support the Republican party which at this point would make a Robber Baron blush. How could I not want health care for all of our citizens? How could I not want an immediate end to this senseless slaughter in the Middle East. Why would I choose economic policies that starve our poor, and disembowel our middle class. Why would I choose a party that strips us of our civil rights, promotes racism, sexism, ageism. Why would I want to participate in hating my neighbor because he's not heterosexual? How as a Christian can I abide any of these things?
I can't and that's why, as Jim said, "I am a Democrat, because I Am a Christian.
(P.S. If Jim runs again in GA-1 you'll see many diaries and links from me.)