We have been told for very many years that if we listen to hate or a hateful joke, we are as guilty as the one who is telling it. We are obliged to stand up to the “hater” and/or to walk away.
Suddenly, this rule doesn’t apply with regard to listening to hate over a 20 year period of time.
My nephew was proud of himself for standing up to his own church with a letter of protest ending in these words:
Senator Obama may disagree with the church about the government’s role in legislating abortion, but when I look into his soul I see a man that truly empathizes with the poor and the downtrodden. I see a man who is devoted to his wife, I see a man who cares about innocent children dying needlessly, and I see a man who is struggling to be a real Christian. So, on November 4th, this sinner will cast his vote for Barack Obama and as a struggling Christian I’ll feel good about it.
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But, despite my nephew’s ability to look into folk’s souls, an ability I have never had, he doesn’t see anything wrong with his hero sitting in silence for 20 years of hate speech.
Funny, I look into Obama’s soul and I see an opportunistic thug, who tells people what they want to hear in order to get power.
People who try to look into each other’s souls see different things. Bush looked into Putin’s eyes and reportedly “saw his soul”. McCain looked into his eyes and saw “KGB”.
I think it all boils down to whoever has better discernment.