Politics and Religion (oh, my)

Sam the Brit has asked for my opinion on Cynthia McKinney. Oh, dear. What can I put that won't get me into trouble? What to say about her reckless behavior with both her fists and the people's finances? Or about her love of conspiracy theories and randomly inappropriate questions asked in formal settings? She sure seems fond of accusing people of murder, first accusing Pres. Bush after the Sept. 11th attacks (although I can't find proof that she did, and I did find some websites claiming she never said any such thing... 11 Alive News does make reference to it, and it's ridulous enough that I believe it) and then more recently sparring with FEMA folks over the Hurricane Katrina devastation.

Now, I don't much like Dub-ya (lesser of two evils, I tell you) and I think FEMA did make some mistakes, as well. But my disgruntlement with Cynthia McKinney can be summed up in two words: "ghetto-fabulous." I blame Shirley Franklin, our bling-blingin' mayor. Since when did Tupac become someone to quote as a wise sage of the ages? GRRGHHH. After the incident with the Capitol Hill police officer, Rep. McKinney said that some things never change (referring to racism and prejudice), as "Tupac said." Oh, great. Let's combat the stereotype of a lesser-than black person by being ignorant. It drives me crazy that the Hip Hop culture has become such a revered thing in Atlanta---excuse me, the ATL. Yo.

When intelligent folks (black, white and every shade between) hold up as role models the thugs that like to "slap their ho's" and "smack their bitches," I just don't get it. Yes, there is something special and unique in the Hip Hop culture. No, I don't think a "young brother" should have to be "white" to succeed in the world. But why is it that while a Latino might be able to find the good parts of a rich heritage and blend them into the boring, white bread majority, the usual African-American response is to take the very worst parts of the culture and strap them on like weapons?

Shirley Franklin has made our city into "the ATL" and it drives me nuts. When I was teaching in South DeKalb, at a primarily (okay, all) black school, it was a battle to get the kids to want to learn about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. They wanted to hear about Usher and Lil' Kim. African culture was only interesting to them as it applied to what their favorite celebrities were wearing or decorating their million-dollar homes with. I know that other cultures glorify violence, promiscuous sex and drugs, too. I'm aware that I'm speaking in generalities and stereotypes. But it hurt so much to look at an eager, shining face and see there all the promise and possibility of a young life, being stunted by the belief that her highest achievement would be to slink around in the background of a "Yo! MTV Raps" prime-time video. That is why Cynthia McKinney hacks me off, because even though she has made her way in the world of politics, she endorses a style of living that doesn't really appreciate her achievements, except as they further that life style. The large number of successful, graceful, proud black women fades into the background in the spotlight of her antics.

So there you have it, my friend. My political thoughts for the year. I try to stay away because politics in general aggravate me. I think they're all crazy and crooked, just to varying degrees and in their own special ways.

As for religion, I'll delve into controversial subjects therein with much more regularity. While thinking about the importance of Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Sola Scriptura, I came across this website, which has really gotten me to thinking. One of the nice things about Reformed theology is that you don't necessarily have to ascribe to every single intricate detail to still be worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth. Unless you're a hyper-Calvinist, in which case not many of us may make it to heaven, anyway, and can we really know for sure until we get there?

I enjoyed reading the website, written by a former obsessive Calvinist who has now converted to Catholicism. I thought he had a lot of good things to say about the battles (both theological and more practical) between Catholics and Protestants. I'm still working out where I stand on certain Reformed theology, and I don't strictly adhere to the basic TULIP model. And the title alone, "Snipping Calvin's Tulip," was good for a chuckle.

At the end of the article, though, I found myself disgruntled by the author's exhortations to pray for "our Calvinistic friends." He says that "Only God can change minds and warm hearts" (ironic, I thought... perhaps he has not rid the lies of Calvin from his soul so thoroughly as he thought) and extends a genuine heart of love for us Protestant folks. It's nice, but it embodies what so many believers, from all denominations alike, get caught up in: trying to convert people to a specific denomination. Instead of reaching out to those not part of God's Holy catholic Church (little c) and loving the world as did Christ, we get caught up in petty squabbles about non-essential matters. It's a brilliant strategy of Satan's and it works quite well.

I'm reminded of Andy Gullahorn's song, "If I Were" where he says:

"No, I'm not the devil but if I was, I'd take God's people and split them up/ to keep their minds off who they're called to be. So they're no longer fighting over living or dead/ it's is it the body or just bread/ while all the unfed die hungry on the street."
copyright 2001 and don't even think about stealing lyrics, etc... visit his website, because I for one don't want him & Jill & the kids to have to live under a bridge and eat grubs from under a rock because they can't afford to make house payments (his joke, not mine). Buy a cd---it's really good!

Wow. I think that sums it up. So there's my controversial religious thought for the day. With more to follow, I'm sure!