Rand Paul, struggling in his presidential bid, works to court evangelicals

The Tri-City Herald ^ | June 17, 2015 | Sean Cockerham, McClatchy Washington Bureau

[EternalVigilance]

My friend, I’m not being pessimistic. And I’m not looking for perfect.

All I ask is that the prospective candidate clearly understands and is completely committed to the most fundamental and important obligations of the oath of office.

And again, none of this crowd meets that basic test.

[Alex Murphy]

Last time Romney was no different than Obama, or Hillary. I wrote him off. I could write in, I could vote for another. When McCain ran, I was able to vote for Bob Barr.

I can’t imagine not voting this time against such an improved lot, on matters of life and liberty and religion. Objections of conscience against not voting at all, for me anyway, are not so much about politics, process, or policy “preferences”, per se, but narrowed to human life and religious liberty (spiritual life).

Beyond those basics it’s pretty much all just gamesmanship. We can deal with that. Anything less, ushers in the seems to me we’re in the weeds, we’re already dead.

I'm personally thrilled that we actually have multiple choices to pick from (Cruz, Walker), and not just of the "hold my nose to vote" variety. But I'm also jaded enough to know that this could all be a well-scripted act, put together by their handlers, polling groups and speechwriters. But more on that in a minute.

I liked how BlackElk put something up-thread:

"the more firm public policy commitments we can exact out of their hides the better. Not that we will really trust them, of course...it sets them up for deep humiliations and chastisements yet to come and that is good in reducing their overstuffed egos."

On that note, if a candidate is going to identify himself as a Christian, he can expect me to weigh his claim. Further, if a candidate claims to be a churchgoer, but his church has a waffling statement of faith, he will get very little credit from me without further evidence. Case in point: back in 2011, Herman Cain's four-sentence statement of faith actually said more than his church's, and I arrived at the conclusion that his politics weren't being formed by his beliefs, since he seemingly had very few beliefs. I'm willing to similarly jettison my support for Cruz and Walker if I find they've been playing with me, or playing church.

[EternalVigilance]

I’ve expressed my non-support for the whole field several times already on this thread, but since you brought the candidates’ Christian confession of faith into this, I have to say that I don’t care how many times they say “Jesus” while they’re still supporting immoral, unconstitutional, fake “pro-life” laws that in effect end in “and then you can kill the baby.”

Personally, I don’t know why “you shall not murder,” ie equal protection under the law for the individual, unalienable God-given right to life, is not non-negotiable for every professing Christian in this country.

It is a mathematical certainty that if equal protection for the innocent unborn was non-negotiable for all who call themselves Christians, the practice of murdering babies, any babies, would speedily end.

[RitaOK]

So sorry. I know my last line made no sense whatsoever. I didn’t know the dang thing was there. I was editing and rearranging my corkscrew thoughts and it dropped out of view. How embarrassing.

Now let me go back and focus on your remarks. Thanks.

[RitaOK]

I think you highlighted the money line from Black Elk’s brief, among several important statements. Tying candidates to some decent their public policy statements may not make it a promise, but it opens the gate to exposing who they are. Or aren’t.

I believe we mostly all agree that our vote is first and foremost informed by our faith and the Church. I know these candidates are not perfect, but they too (as are we) simply straining towards salvation. May God be with them and reveal the one we need. Thanks very much, Alex.

[BlackElk]

When first I found some of your posts on faith here on FR, I expected that we might seldom agree. By avoiding conflict with you where possible and by pinging you to items of mutual interest, I have learned to appreciate the fine qualities of your character.

Before I discovered FR, when I lived in Connecticut, there was a Westminster Profession (?) Presbyterian Church in my hometown which took the trouble and incurred the expense of advertising some of the very fine tenets of their faith. Just as many of them will never become Catholic, I will never become anything but Catholic. The differences in theology should not affect the otherwise cordial relations among ladies and gentlemen.

Like many Catholics, I am ordinarily only vaguely aware of the specifics of various Reformed Faiths. I have my own challenges in the era of Pope Chatty Cathy whose absurdities will NOT separate me from my Faith as I pray to God to send us a Catholic pope ASAP.

I have had the privilege of representing, as a volunteer attorney, many Reformed Christians as well as Catholics, arrested in very aggressive pro-life activity against the abortion mills in Connecticut. I did my best to represent THEIR views to the courts, unfiltered by my own.

I am honored to have you quote me here so extensively and favorably. While no one familiar with thee or me will accuse us of total agreement, there are very substantial areas of agreement.

I agree with your analysis here. I am also determined to vote FOR a candidate even if that candidate has no reasonable chance rather than vote for the likes of Romney. Voting AGAINST a candidate simply guarantees an ever downward spiral for our civilization. Those who voted for Romney invited ever further degeneration of the GOP as a political vehicle for conservative principles. The Chamber of Commerce and Wall Street and K Street have NO PRINCIPLES other than transitory profits even at the expense of watching the Decline and Fall of the American Republic and of Christian Civilization along with it.

God is far more important than transitory profits. May I offer you a gift from relatively ancient Catholicism (1418) by suggesting that you obtain a copy of Imitation of Christ by the medieval monk Thomas a Kempis. It is a work of simple yet profound piety urging the reader, above all else, to know, love and serve the Lord God. You will find some things to disagree with but so much to inspire you in your love for God. At this stage of my life, if I could have one wish fulfilled, it would be that all of us read and take what we can from Imitation of Christ.

Your insight that should be carved in marble is: "...you don't care so long as the other guy did not win. You've thrown away your conscience, in order not to throw away your vote." Precisely!

In 2012, I voted for fellow FReeper Eternal Vigilance and was glad to have the opportunity rather than having to choose between Obozo and his "GOP" enabler Mitt Romney. In the absence of a suitably conservative Republican nominee, I have every intention of doing so again. Eternal Vigilance has never disappointed me by being other than ultimately principled.

God bless you and yours, my FRiend! You will NEVER be alone!

[BlackElk]

I know.

[RitaOK]

You two are fine models of Christian faith.

Thank you both for teaching how a civilized, informative and enjoyable conversation can take place. It is a display of humility, something sorely needed around these parts, and speaking mostly for “yours truly”. Rita

[EternalVigilance]

Amen.

[RitaOK]

:)

[Coleus]

thanks for your post and ping... how are you feeling these days?

[BlackElk]

Thanks for asking. It is a long road that promises to be a partial recovery but that is better than no recovery. In today's medical technology, kidney failure is a permanent condition but it is treatable by dialysis. I am looking into peritoneal dialysis which I can do at home and avoid the cost of gasoline to and from more conventional treatment. It also has the advantage of being able to be done while I sleep and I can avoid going out in the cold of winter and avoid the consequences to my compromised blood circulation in hands and feet.

If it be God's will, I would like to stick around a while longer to pray for friends, FRiends, relatives and our country. Hillary is about a year younger than I am and she does not appear to enjoy conspicuously good health. I cannot imagine how she is soooooo anxious to take up the burdens of being POTUS which could make her life hell on Earth even for her.

May God bless you and yours!

[Coleus]

thanks, you too... I will be praying for you and for better health.

[Gamecock]

Two very nice posts by both of you.

Sadly, Alex was zotted.

[BlackElk]

Jim Robinson:

This is the first I have heard that Alex Murphy has been zotted. I have no idea of why and no one owes me an explanation. I would ask that Alex Murphy be allowed to return because, while I disagree with some specifics of his faith, I have always found him to be a gentleman and one who has served an informative role here. FR is poorer for his absence.

Of course, as always, it is your living room and your decision but perhaps some mercy is in order.