Yeses and Nos

So, I promised myself I would not join the fray of the "Bush/Cheney, who's more Christian " discussion going on all over the web and the blogs I frequent. But...the most recent barrage of reminder phone calls from both campaigns autodialers has changed my mind. So here goes.

It seems that every recorded message I have received over the past week reminds me of all the votes or non-votes or changed votes or "while he was Governor"s or "it's all his fault"s that likely voters are supposed to weigh in the scales before deciding who makes the least evil choice for US President over the next four years. Unfortunately, not one message I have received from either side has bothered to tell the simple truth about any of the accusations. It's as if likely voters in this country haven't the intelligence to handle the simple truth. The simple truth on both sides is likely much less pure than the campaigners would have us believe.

All four of the major federal candidates profess to be practicing Christians. Unfortunately, it seems that the conduct of their campaigns and mountains of their rhetoric in such a way as to deliberately turn their backs on the Sermon on the Mount. The logic seems to be that since God forgives sinners who repent, they'll get around to the repenting after they falsely accuse, covet power, make false promises, and hopefully get elected.

For example, Jesus said:

"Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.' But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one."
(Matt. 5:33-37)

The author of the letter of James to believers makes the same admonition:

Do not complain, brothers, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because "the Lord is compassionate and merciful." But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation.(James 5:9+)

Jesus doesn't seem to allow here for mental reservations or spinning. And neither should the candidates for any elected office. Time to confess, fellas.