"RECONCILING THE REALITIES, BY EMBRACING THE TRUTH"
When I consider the grave importance of what it means to "vote our convictions" and to "represent our faith" in our world today as genuine Christ-followers, I must reconcile the realities associated with a bent towards "conservative values" -- or more specifically what it means to favorably side with Republican platforms during most elections, because of the imbalance, the record and the rhetoric of the Democratic Party and it's known historicity of fueling the institutional Racism and the economic and political oppression that is understood by people of color who "know history"!
As I was recently rereading an article during my travels throughout the State of Minnesota, I was moved by the realities of some of the "truths" that I just can't ignore, considering some involvement in politics at some level in the future. And, with the conviction that more Christians do need to be engaged in the political arena, so that we can flip the script from the normal character assassination and sabotage that is becoming so prevalent, to actually addressing the issues with practices and principles that does not turn into partisan pedantic's that muddies the waters of thoughtful inflection and serious contemplation, around how to really solve problems and resolve issues that keeps politician's politicking -- without seeing real progress for nation and our world.
Here's what I AGREE WITH from the article:
"It's tough to assert being the party of Lincoln while some Republican legislators court Neo-Confederates and other ethnic nationalist movements.
It is similarly difficult for Republicans to trumpet their role in passing Civil Rights Acts while the Republican National Committee is spearheading efforts to dismantle affirmative action (Former GOP chairman Michael Steele struck a good balance on this). And perhaps most importantly, the conservative emphasis on personal responsibility sounds disingenuous to many blacks when Republicans refuse to acknowledge the profound and continuing effects of slavery, Jim Crow and segregation—let alone the persistence of overt racism, institutional and systemic discrimination, and unconscious racial bias.
There is an assumption that these issues do not need to be addressed head-on because a strong economy will raise up all Americans. Hence Republicans focus on fiscal matters over social justice. But if a particular social arrangement fundamentally privileges one group or marginalizes others, then economic growth tends to exacerbate disparities between groups rather than "lifting all boats." Or put another way, a system has to be fair before it can be color blind.
Black families have, on average, 5 percent of the wealth of their white counterparts. African Americans have limited access to the credit used to acquire property or start a business—and they have been largely excluded from social networks that enhance mobility. Meanwhile, whites receive 76 percent of all merit-based scholarships and grant funding. There have been myriad studies demonstrating that, regardless of their credentials, people with "ethnic" names are far less likely to get accepted into schools or called for job interviews. And even when hired, women and people of color are not promoted as often or as quickly as their white male counterparts—helping to explain why blacks earn only 60 cents for every dollar that white people earn in salary and wages.
Addressing these challenges will require both blacks and whites to own up to the roles they have played, and continue to play, in perpetuating these unfortunate dynamics."
(Commentary from http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/why-arent-there-more-black-republicans/)
CHRISTIANS: We MUST "reconcile the realities by embracing the truth", before we lose our souls with "partisan politics" and twisted "political commentary" that doesn't acknowledge the truth or truly serve the people it's supposed to help -- because its self-serving and "dark" at best!
A "post modern", "post Christian" and "post truth" society that celebrates "alternative facts" (lies) and coldly rejects truth, is neither something we should blindly follow or agree with, and something that we should never allow to inform our lives one bit!
I claim NO MORAL HIGH-GROUND, but I do acknowledge that there is a "standard" - and it is JESUS CHRIST, my Lord!
Walter L. Smith III
Founder/President
Pure In Heart Int'l Ministries, Inc./
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