The Loss of Decency

“The Loss of Decency”

                If I must be classified by political party, I guess I would be called a moderate Democrat.  My familial political lineage is filled with all sorts of Republican, Democrat, Populist, and even Socialist sympathizers.  To use the image of Tony Campolo, I am a “red letter Christian.”  Such a term transcends any political branding.  For those of you who are un-schooled in the theology of Eastern College, Evangelical Christian professor Campolo, let me explain. By “red letter Christian” he means that the words of Jesus (in red in many Bibles) are the foundational source of authority for people of faith.  Paul’s theological ruminations on Christology and ecclesiology, etc. are nice, but it is what Jesus is given credit for saying that is at the heart of Christian behavior.

                Where is all this leading?  A few days ago at the conservative political coalition, CPAC, there was a panel discussion on the Catholic church’s disagreement with the recent health care ruling concerning the inclusion of contraception care within health insurance coverage – even in Catholic employers such as colleges, hospitals, and social service agencies.  I believe there is room for debate on the church and state and rights of women components around the coverage issue.  But what happened at CPAC turned my stomach and again angered me toward strident fundamentalism of any kind but particularly the Christian right.  Fox media commentator, Cal Thomas, after watching a video clip of MSNBC Rachel Maddow supporting the rights of women for the inclusion of the contraception component in the plan – even for Roman Catholic related institutions – made the sarcastic remark  “I’m really glad, Genevieve, that you played the original Maddow clip, because I think she is the best argument in favor of her parents using contraception. I would be all for that. And all the rest of the crowd at MSNBC, too, for that matter.”  Many in the audience applauded.  I was appalled!

                The red letters that Jesus spoke talked about the divine worth of every human being.  They spoke of kindness and grace as the foundation of any words spoken or actions taken.  Mr. Thomas or any others who applauded such remarks surely cannot claim the mantel of Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Where has the decency of people of faith gone?  While I may not agree with the opinions of some who see the world differently from me, I pray that God will help me to always look for the divine within them.