The election is less than a week away, and most of us will be glad when it is over. For me this campaign may reveal more than any ever have just how far we have fallen as a nation from the lofty ideals of liberty and justice for all. I say that because of the personal attacks that have been directed at President Obama. The focus has not been on his policies, but on him as a person and as an American. Anyone who knows me knows I have been one of his persistent critics in regard to his policies and leadership. But my disappointment with him has been outdistanced by the despicable assault on his citizenship, his religion, and his right to be president.
Questioning his place of birth, calling him a socialist, describing his policies as “not American,” insisting he is a secret Muslim whose goal is establishing Sharia Law for the nation, accusing him of going on an apology tour of the Middle East, suggesting he is “lazy,” that he “has rhythm,” all of this is race based. It’s goal has been to make Barack Obama “the other,” somehow not one of us, not a true American. It is disgusting beyond measure that this has been going on. Equally disgusting has been the fact that public figures have spoken in these ways because they have seen no downside to it. They have gladly played on the prejudices of voters in hopes of achieving their only goal for the last four years of making him a one term president.
That alone, the above goal, should be enough to make all of us sick. With so many problems before us as a nation, global warming being at the very top of the list, to say defeating Obama is what matters most not only shows how small minded people can be, but how utterly arrogant they are. It reminds me of the bumper sticker I saw the other day that said, “Take back America.” I wanted to ask the driver if he believes those of us who disagree with him are not real Americans. Once again the arrogance is appalling. The idea that because I don’t agree with you means I am not a real American is both offensive and explosive. It is this kind of attitude that has fueled the mean spirit that has poisoned our political discourse. And I know at least one major source of it. Fundamentalist Christianity.
Let me be clear. I am not talking about conservative Christians who hold to many traditional theological beliefs. I am talking about fundamentalist Christians who because of their biblical literalism insist that what they believe represents true Christianity and anyone who disagrees with them is not a real Christian. I could name names, but we all know who these people are, and many of us have encountered their followers who have tried to make us into copies of themselves. When fundamentalist Christians became political they infused the body politics with their “my way or the highway” mentality. Just as they believe Christians like me who reject their theology are not real Christians, they didn’t miss a beat in saying that anyone who disagreed with them politically was not a real American. Christian fundamentalism morphed into political fundamentalism.
This is what divides us today as a nation. Political fundamentalism is as destructive as Christian fundamentalism. It cannot tolerate diversity in any form. It cannot accept leaders who don’t reflect its views. It feels threatened by differences and turns them into reasons for division. It is sure its way is the only hope for the nation. It refuses to be self-reflective because it is sure it knows the truth of the founders, and perhaps of God as well. Political fundamentalism cannot engage in honest dialogue. It only knows how to yell, to call opponents names, to reduce people to labels, to see them as an enemy, to set neighbor against neighbor, family members against family members, to divide and conquer rather than unite and succeed together.
Whatever the outcome of this election, unless and until we see political fundamentalism for the negative influence it is on our way of life, we will continue to have elections that seem like a war being waged instead of democracy at work.
