A Time For Truth

Ironically, it might have been the anti-religious HBO TV host, Bill Maher, who has best put this election into the proper context. On his most recent "Real Time" episode, Maher explained to his guests that it was time to separate the political (i.e. winning strategies) from the truth (i.e. what is best for America).

On CNN, a similar appeal was made by Harvard trained legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin. Exasperated by the turn of events in the tone of the presidential campaign he told viewers that it was time for journalists to tell the truth whether people wanted to hear it or not.

Continuing this theme of turning to television for wisdom, we also should mention Stephen Colbert. For Colbert has seen through the political bull for a long time. His entire show is premised upon the concept of "truthiness" where those in power wantonly disregard real truth and throw out claims with no reference to reality or fact knowing that there is a large portion of the American public who are easily swayed by such nonsense.

With lies coming so quickly (yes, often from both sides) and the mantle of religion, morality, and a specific brand of Christianity coming from the Republican Right, we should heed the calls to step outside the bounds of the presidential horse race and face the reality that truth should triumph in this election for the good of us all.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul exhorts, "... whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, ...whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue...think on these things."

With the addition of Bible believing, Evangelical church going Sarah Palin to the McCain ticket, there has been a surge of support and enthusiasm among those who claim a similar view of Jesus. Right or wrong, Palin seems to have a spiritual (and for many a gender and racial and class) connection with this large bloc of voters. No matter how she has performed in the past or how she answers questions in an interview series with ABC, she is seen as the champion of God's causes and the natural pick for Vice-President.

To most Evangelicals, it is imperative that their lives and words reflect God in order to win converts to their side. This is an admirable quality for a group of people who feel they have found Jesus and have the gift of eternal life. But in their zest to win over the unsaved, some may have lost the essence of their Christianity.

God is holy. God is love. God is truth. Whether at the daily work place, in school, at home, or in the arena of politics, a real Christian must reflect these time honored virtues. No one can doubt Sarah Palin's sincerity and life long commitment to her religion. But as she continues her rapid ascent from mayor to governor and perhaps on to Washington, D.C., all of us must suspend our inner prejudices and judge who she is by the only standard we have in these important presidential elections - truth.

Thus, when Palin tells Charlie Gibson that she was always for the "Bridge to Nowhere" when all evidence proves this assertion false, she comes short of the truth. She says she is against earmarks knowing that Alaska is in a unique position and must depend upon such money gathering. When she attempts to speak around the question of the "Bush Doctrine" without honestly saying she does not quite understand the definition, she is being ingenious. We admire her son's decision to join the conflict in Iraq yet she demonstrates no real understanding of the underlying causes of the war by telling the assembled troops in Alaska that they are going overseas to avenge the destruction of September 11.

Politically, Palin might have escaped unscathed from this first set of interviews. She was sometimes forthright, direct, and is always able to connect with the television viewer. But, in this time of trouble, politics as usual must be set aside. Truth is the measure of a candidate's ability. Truth is what is needed to avoid another eight years of a leader who although he went to church and prayed, was not ever prepared to be the President. This political choice by the American people resulted in Iraq, Katrina, and an economic destruction that is ripping away the pillars of our nation.

This is a call for all of us, Christian and non-Christian, black, Hispanic, white, and Asian, male and female, rich and poor, John McCain and Sarah Palin, to look to God, seek for truth and vote for what is best for this nation and the world. Anything short of that will bring continued catastrophe.