Many Christian evangelicals, particularly white conservatives, are struggling with how to accept president-elect Barack Obama, who they believe stands for everything they are against. How can evangelicals celebrate the euphoria of one of the most dramatic wins for African Americans both symbolically and pragmatically since the emancipation proclamation?
In their view, since the president-elect Obama stands for pro-choice and some pro-gay agendas, evangelicals feel a deep tension between their loyalty to what they believe to be God-given convictions and the joyful reactions of blacks who are completely born again with positive feelings of American patriotism they have never felt before. In addition, many whites and other ethnic groups are ecstatic to see a major shift from a stained history of racism and inequality. However, many republican white evangelicals I have spoken to are upset, confused, and even angry over the new direction this historical turn is taking. The dysfunction within the evangelical community is evidenced by its struggle to separate a historical landmark with political ideology. For some Christians, a vote for Obama equated to a vote for the anti-Christ.
For evangelicals, of whom I am one, celebrating Obama’s victory is somehow equal to betraying the tenants of the Christian faith. They wonder how others can be so emotionally charged and excited over the president-elect Obama’s victory as they witness people of all colors, classes, and cultures crying, laughing, celebrating, and rejoicing while they feel nothing but detachment and confusion. In fact, one white woman came to me as a black pastor for help and said, “I really want to be happy for Obama and all, but I need help because everyone in the world is excited about it and I’m wondering if he’s the anti-Christ or something. I want to be happy too. Can you help me?”
She’s not alone. Many white evangelicals and a few black ones too, have bitten into the fallacy that if everyone is excited about Obama, then it can’t be good. We must be in the end times and God will judge the world because people are literally too happy and too positive. It must be bad.
While some evangelicals wonder if all the moral standards from scripture have been tossed out the window with an Obama presidency the rest of the world moves on, celebrating across party lines and international borders. Millions have risen above policies and programs, at least for a short window of time, to savor the historical significance of the moment. But not others – no way! They will not concede a smile or one breath of joy because it may actually, in some small way, acknowledge that the same sovereign God who they follow might actually allow a black man to be president. Some have even cried out on conservative Christian radio stations that Obama is not black. I wonder what they think of his African American wife and children. Some have denied Obama’s claim to be a born again Christian even though he has given testimony to his confession of faith. Because some don’t subscribe to the same political ideology, which is anyone’s right, they feel justified in denying his racial and religious roots. Why is this? Is it because of theology or ideology? That’s a question each Christian must answer before God for him or herself.
In the meantime, how should evangelicals deal with the historical shift in power? In my humble opinion, there are six bridge-building solutions that will help us evangelicals celebrate the historical election of President-elect Barak Obama without compromising our biblical convictions we hold so dear.
First, voice your support for the historical moment that has swept this nation, and the world. In so doing, you are not signing off on Obama’s policies. You are simply acknowledging that a black man is the 44th president of the United States of America. That is something everyone can be proud of, at least for a short period of time, before the partisan battles return to Washington after the inauguration. After this time, feel free to return to separate corner of the ring to fight for partisan policies that match one’s religious convictions.
Second, interview a few of your friends of color whether republican, democrat, or other and ask them what this election means to them personally. Listen to their stories and hear their heart. You can empathize with what they are feeling and enter into their joy. To not do this is to communicate to them that you really don’t care about their feelings, culture, advances in history, and significant events that affect their entire families.
Third, ask yourself a tough question. If a victorious Obama were republican but held similar views, would you be happy now? If the answer is yes, then you must face the fact that your feelings of loss are less about faith and more about partisan politics. If the answer is no, then you can rest assured that you are dealing with the issues. We won’t all agree on the issues regardless of a common faith. Therefore, the next point is necessary.
Fourth, grace must be extended to those who have a different view of the issues. You are not being asked to bury your convictions, but to be gracious in the way you communicate them. As an independent voter, I have received volatile emails from my white republican friends and family who have put out some nasty comments that don’t reflect the spirit of Christ, regardless of the candidate. Whatever happened to “grace and truth” as opposed to “truth and graceless rumors”? Whatever happened to “speaking truth in love”? If we as Christians lose our grace, we will lose our unique place in the public square to speak and be heard as ambassadors of Christ on the earth.
Fifth, “rejoice with those who rejoice” as 1 Corinthians 12 says. Regardless of one’s ideology, the bible teaches that Christians are to rejoice when other believers are rejoicing. I had one white Christian male say to me after the election that he’ll never understand how any Christian could vote for Obama. His assumption is that Christians would all vote republican, or at least as one block of solidarity against a democrat. Here’s a news flash: there are Christians who are not republican, but who hold the same values as white evangelicals. They simply believe that there are different avenues to achieve those values. Disagreement as to how to accomplish such values does not underscore biblical differences, but political and ideological ones. “When you have African Americans rejoicing over the ending of generations of slavery, segregation and Jim Crow culture, don’t you think entering into their joy, if even for a moment, would be okay?”
Sixth, affirm the deep feelings of accomplishment that so many are experiencing. To say to a black person “congratulations” for this historical moment of accomplishment is not giving in to the democrats, nor is it dishonoring one’s Christian convictions. Even the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said that this election was an “extraordinary step forward” for race relations. As a black woman she is feeling something deeper than her political ideology. As a black republican male, General Colin Powell is feeling something deeper than his party’s platform. As a black preacher who has built his life and ministry affecting racial reconciliation among different races, I am feeling an overwhelming sense of positive emotion.
While there has been a lack of affirmation and congratulation from some of my white friends, I can say that there are some deep relationships I have with many non-black folks who have affirmed the moment with me, regardless of how any of us voted. I have treasured friendships with African Americans, Caucasians, Asians, Latinos, and other groups of people who have written, texted, emailed, or called to simply affirm the deep feelings of hope and reflection that the reality of the first black president of the United States of America engenders inside of me.
As I watched the election results with my half Korean and half white wife, she looked over to me and said, “Congratulations honey”. She didn’t know my vote yet, but she knew my heart was pounding during this historical reality that was facing both of us and our children for generations to come. Like other evangelicals, I too struggle with the political and biblical questions that any thinking Christian should be asking. But the most important question one can ask after the votes have settled the election is how can I support and pray for my new president? What makes this election different than any other in American history is that the White House will be occupied by a black first family. If some evangelicals cannot be happy about this matter because of whatever reason constrains them, maybe they can be happy for blacks who are proud and elated because they have seen a ceiling shattered with the blood, sweat, and tears of millions who have sacrificed for them from generations past.
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Have you ever watched one of those episodes on the television show When Animals Attack? The show would often highlight a zookeeper, circus trainer, or some other animal aficionado who took for granted the safety of their relationship with elephants, tigers, lions, or birds only to discover in a matter of seconds that their lives were in danger from a familiar animal going rogue and attacking them.
Racially speaking, this can happen as well. People who you are familiar with – neighbors, friends, church members, and co-workers — can turn on you and bite your head off because of a deep-seated anger, frustration or fear. Such snapping is not reserved for any particular group. We’ve seen it at Virginia Tech with a Korean male who went on a shooting rampage on April 16, 2007. We’ve witnessed it with two white skin heads that were recently plotting to murder several blacks and the first black presidential candidate, Barak Obama. In years passed, we saw it with two black gunmen who decided to taunt America with random sniping of innocent victims in the DC area. You’ve undoubtedly read or seen on the news about the proverbial post office employee who returns to his workplace intending, and sometimes succeeding, to turn the place into a human blood bath; only to hear the rogue employee say that he, well, “snapped”.
Whether it’s an animal or human who unexpectedly snaps, there are several characteristics that drive the behavior – anger, frustration, and fear.
An African proverb may give us insight: “From afar I thought he was a monster; when he got closer I thought he was an animal; when he got closer, I realized he was a human; but when we were face to face, I realized he was my brother.”
Distance between people causes them to demonize one another as monsters and animals. During this current election between senators John McCain and Barak Obama there have been plenty of attacks between both camps.
At the end of the day there can only be one president. While there may be distance between philosophies and policies, depending on your station in life and value system, you will vote for one candidate over the other. Regardless, it is the responsibility of all Americans to come together in support of the new administration.
Having said this, familiarity taken for granted might overlook the obvious distance between many groups who feel angry, frustrated and fearful as a result of the election.
Having a black president may make some feel proud, encouraged and even weepy-eyed as history takes a turn toward a new direction. However, the frustration and fear that others may feel cannot be overlooked and underestimated. The sense of loss that those who disagree with a black president may feel could go rogue and cause a snapping that sets off many racial reactions.
Given the tenderness of racial tension in American society, how can we respond as bridge builders in a racial crisis? How do we as a nation handle the racial distance that so easily besets us?
I recommend three bridge building steps when crisis comes:
1. LAW and ORDER: If a crisis of any kind breaks out over racial tension, it is important to establish order immediately. As long as there is mayhem and a lack of safety, dialogue and communication has no place to rest. The table of conversation can only be set when safety is not an issue. A hostile environment does not a productive conversation make. Therefore, if there are rants, riots, or resistance, the environment must be secured first, even if it means that police officers must lock down a neighborhood or the National Guard must be activated.
2. LISTEN and LEARN: Comprehension begins with conversation – talk is not cheap. When there is communication between individuals, couples, or groups the distance between them shortens. Monsters and animals begin to look more and more like humans and siblings when face-to-face dialogue happens. In my opinion, talking for the purpose of understanding and bridge building is very important but listening in order to learn what others are thinking and feeling is absolutely critical. People need to be heard. By listening to their fears and frustrations the process of building a bridge begins as the goal of racial harmony becomes realistic.
3. LINK Arms and LET GO: Find common areas with the opposing group where you can link arms to accomplish even the smallest of goals in order to demonstrate progress. There are some areas where there will not be common ground. Address those areas first. Give ground away in the areas that are negotiable. But in the non-negotiable areas, you will need the hand and help of God. God is willing and able to help but you must first “let go and let God” handle what you cannot control. Some call this, and rightfully so, prayer! It is the best way to respond.
We cannot predict the future. It is my hope and prayer that whatever the outcome of the election, people will keep their heads and not let their disappointments and fears get the better of them. We shall soon see by the actions to come in the next few days how much progress America has made in the area of race relations. As with many things, let us pray for best, but prepare for the worst.
The reason? Well, the reason is that America is not easy. Neither is the world for that matter. The issues important to me fall all along the political spectrum. How do you choose one side?
Just being honest here, I don’t think that either candidate will be the solution to all the country’s problems. And I equally don’t think that either Obama or McCain are evil, unlike their political ads may want you to believe. I sincerely believe that they both love America and Americans and are stepping forward to the HUGE task of trying to govern this country. It is a sacrifice I could not make. As president, you either succeed or you get hanged in the press for the entire world to see and even that changes from day to day.
Once I do figure out who I’m voting for (which usually takes place behind the voting curtain), I probably still will not make it known.
Why not then? Because of regardless of how I vote, whomever wins will be my president and I believe that my responsibility for this country does not end once I cast my vote. It’s just a beginning. It will still be my responsibility to pray for and support whomever is elected. It will still be my responsibility to be as passionate towards the causes/issues I’m passionate about and work for those causes/issues. Just because the person that I voted for does or does not get elected president, it does not give me the freedom to sit back and say “well, my job is done.” No. It’s just beginning.
That is the beauty of America. You have a voice. But you also have hands and feet and the freedom to use them to walk over to the soup kitchen to lend a hand or knock door to door educating people on being green or volunteering a couple hours a week teaching ESL to immigrants, legal and illegal.
Voting for the political candidate that best suits your values and needs is important. Exemplifying the values you hope for in a president in yourself, even more so. It is not only up to the president to improve this country. It is up to all of us.
