Brian’s Reflection: Wednesday, January 4, 2012

I also believe that government has no business telling us how we should live our lives.
I think our lifestyle choices should be left up to us.
What we do in our private lives is none of the government's business.
That position rules out the Republican Party for me.

Jesse Ventura, former professional wrestler,
he was sworn in as the Governor of Minnesota
on this date, 1999



The Governor of Minnesota said to the people of Minnesota on his election: “Congratulations, you have a sense of humor. And to those who didn't: Go stick your head in the mud. “ And if you look up his comments, he said some pretty crazy and funny things. It would be interesting to be able to look into the corporate minds of the people of Minnesota as they elected Jesse!

I find politics and politicians (and America!) fascinating. And I used to write a “political” blog ….. and might start again, though I already spend a LOT of time on the Internet! But, on this blog my primary concern is “spiritual” ….. our “inner life” and the things that influence it.

On the one hand, I am inclined to agree with Jesse: government has no business telling us how we should live our private lives. But it’s a complicated issue. Like it or not, a people’s “spiritual lives” are intertwined with our common life. Nothing is unconnected with everything else ….. something I have always believed. At the present, the problem in America is that Government is not protecting the rights of all the citizens. It is viciously partisan ….. and “in favor” of a small group of narrow-minded, Biblical literalist (or other-religion-influenced), Puritan-and-patriarchal-influenced, hypocritical (yes, hypocritical) Americans. They profess “righteousness”, but are cravenly against all of the principles of the Gospel as I see it.

As a Christian, I want a government which protects the rights and responsibilities of ALL Americans to whom the Constitution promises “equal rights” under the Law. Government must not kow-tow to any specific form of religion or religious prejudice ….. which is tantamount to “establishing” a religion. Our founders knew better.

Let me say this clearly: I do not see a shred of the Gospel in the political so-called “religious right”. They are invested in power, self-righteous, ungenerous, unloving, uncompassionate, judgmental, bigoted, exclusive. None of which has anything to do with Jesus and the Gospel. And the majority of Christians do not agree with them.

The “religious right” and the politicians who suck up to them for venal political reasons are not interested in a caring, loving, “love thy neighbour” America. They are interested in power for power’s sake ….. usually to the demeaning of their and our humanity. The worst thing is: they have convinced themselves that God agrees with them. They are wrong.

As Walt Whitman said: “Re-examine all you have been told. Reject what insults your soul.”

Brian+