"You say today is--Saturday?"
Title is brief homage to a Shel Silverstein poem.
Twisted purposes
What I really want to write about is the presidential election. The debate was here in St. Louis last Thursday and there was a Sarah Palin after party which was attended en masse by UPCI executives and members at large (in the interest of full disclosure: I was not there and have only received reports, most of which glowing at the "Apostolic" turnout...never mind the Apostolic brothers and sisters from the PAW who may have been at Biden's celebration if he had stayed around, I digress). To really paint the picture, one person told me, "It looked like a UPCI conference." So what is the big attraction with Sarah Palin for the UPCI? I am making the assumption that it's her charismatic church background more than her promises and/or policies (of which she's apparently made none since she's only "been in it 5 weeks"). I guess I am most struck by the vehement support she's receiving from UPCI ministers (this is a vast generalization and I readily grant there are some who do not endorse her so whole-heartedly). Is this the same organization that won't let a woman be elected to almost all offices? That's confusing, but I'm really just deeply curious about what's at the core of the following. I daresay these same UPCI Apostolics wouldn't have been so motivated to show up even at McCain's party. Does having the Holy Ghost immediately qualify her for administrative/governmental tasks? I mean this question sincerely, does it?
Since this is a writing/reading blog...
But this blog is supposed to be about reading and in light of my present concerns, I would say we need to read more history. Of course, I default to Herodotus (great insight regarding absolute power versus democracy as well as storytelling as venue for political views), Thucydides (a seminal work in my life that is a must read for those engaged in foreign policy. It also explores the concept of 'might makes right'. Here's a couple quotes courtesy of wikipedia: "The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must." "It is a general rule of human nature that people despise those who treat them well, and look up to those who make no concessions.") and Machievelli (a leadership book worth contending with--don't get me started on the John Maxwell disciples!). Taking a look at Constantine would also be a good place to look for the intersection of faith and politics. There was a man who knew how to use his Christianity and Christian leaders flocked to him...but at what cost? More particularly for our situation, we must return to the reading of the Federalist papers...or even the Constitution would be a good start...
Well this is quick, not well laid out and things are phrased more bluntly than I would be willing to defend. I just do think it's very, very important that we think through our motivations especially in light of where and how our politics and faith intersect.
Twisted purposes
What I really want to write about is the presidential election. The debate was here in St. Louis last Thursday and there was a Sarah Palin after party which was attended en masse by UPCI executives and members at large (in the interest of full disclosure: I was not there and have only received reports, most of which glowing at the "Apostolic" turnout...never mind the Apostolic brothers and sisters from the PAW who may have been at Biden's celebration if he had stayed around, I digress). To really paint the picture, one person told me, "It looked like a UPCI conference." So what is the big attraction with Sarah Palin for the UPCI? I am making the assumption that it's her charismatic church background more than her promises and/or policies (of which she's apparently made none since she's only "been in it 5 weeks"). I guess I am most struck by the vehement support she's receiving from UPCI ministers (this is a vast generalization and I readily grant there are some who do not endorse her so whole-heartedly). Is this the same organization that won't let a woman be elected to almost all offices? That's confusing, but I'm really just deeply curious about what's at the core of the following. I daresay these same UPCI Apostolics wouldn't have been so motivated to show up even at McCain's party. Does having the Holy Ghost immediately qualify her for administrative/governmental tasks? I mean this question sincerely, does it?
Since this is a writing/reading blog...
But this blog is supposed to be about reading and in light of my present concerns, I would say we need to read more history. Of course, I default to Herodotus (great insight regarding absolute power versus democracy as well as storytelling as venue for political views), Thucydides (a seminal work in my life that is a must read for those engaged in foreign policy. It also explores the concept of 'might makes right'. Here's a couple quotes courtesy of wikipedia: "The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must." "It is a general rule of human nature that people despise those who treat them well, and look up to those who make no concessions.") and Machievelli (a leadership book worth contending with--don't get me started on the John Maxwell disciples!). Taking a look at Constantine would also be a good place to look for the intersection of faith and politics. There was a man who knew how to use his Christianity and Christian leaders flocked to him...but at what cost? More particularly for our situation, we must return to the reading of the Federalist papers...or even the Constitution would be a good start...
Well this is quick, not well laid out and things are phrased more bluntly than I would be willing to defend. I just do think it's very, very important that we think through our motivations especially in light of where and how our politics and faith intersect.
posted by Marjorie at
10/04/2008 11:15:00 AM
1 Comments:
that, my friend, is a truism.
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