Jane Smiley reminds anyone that looks towards the Bible as being truth and the word of God that following Christ breeds hatred from the world. We are defined as being ignorant and unteachable people bent on destroying the world.
Why Americans Hate Democrats—A Dialogue
The unteachable ignorance of the red states
By Jane Smiley
Here are the reasons for being defined as ignorant:
1. Fear of the Lord
2. Belief in the message of Salvation
3. Clinging to the Cross during trials & difficulties
She goes on to say, “[T]hey are borne of hubris and hatred, and will destroy their purveyors in the end.” I think she sums these points up quite nicely, but I’m not sure her pronoun is referring to the correct THEY.
Hubris - Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance
“The history of the last four years shows that red state types, above all, do not want to be told what to do—they prefer to be ignorant. As a result, they are virtually unteachable.”
Hatred - Intense animosity or hostility
“The architects of this strategy knew perfectly well that they were exploiting, among other unsavory qualities, a long American habit of virulent racism, but they did it anyway, and we see the outcome now—Cheney is the capitalist arm and Bush is the religious arm. They know no boundaries or rules. They are predatory and resentful, amoral, avaricious, and arrogant.”
There is obviously a difference in how morality and truth are defined and it is this difference that causes the cultural divide we are experiencing.
Rev. Larry Wanaselja - God Bless America - November 4, 2004
“Clearly, in this nation, there is a growing cultural divide over morality, and that's good. What would be bad is if there were no divide, no conflict. But there is and the fact that Americans are tying their vote to morality at least shows that there is a growing awareness of the downward moral spiral in our land, and people are beginning to be fed up with it. Those of us who love the Lord should be thankful for this glimmer of hope, and for a President who has increasingly made morality an increasing focus of his platform, as well as his call upon the nation he leads. What we need to continually plead before the throne of the Majesty on High is that the Lord God Almighty would continue to raise up leaders in this land who are defined by righteousness, justice and truth. This cultural divide will not be quickly healed but if we continue to ask the Lord of glory for men and women of truth, perhaps He will have mercy upon us and bless us with righteous leaders. Apart from a sweeping, genuine, lasting revival, righteous leadership, across the land, would be the next best way God could truly bless America.”
I don’t hate democrats and I don’t hate people that don’t believe in the Bible. Ultimately, those that hate Christians do not hate the people that believe in Christ, but Christ himself. Their real contempt is for God and that is most unfortunate. I don’t mind being hated, I don’t mind being called ignorant because the people that say these things are not the ultimate judge and jury of my life.
This reminds me that I am seeking to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. We all want to be liked and feel like we fit in this world. Being counter-cultural or going against the grain is not realized in how one dresses in the morning, but how one’s character defines their life. Neither Hollywood, nor any media source, nor any political party defines my character. Jesus Christ defines who I am and who I want to be.
Posted by price at November 8, 2004 01:01 PM