Sunday, February 11, 2007

Walberg and Faith



We all know that Tim Walberg is a minister-turned-politician, and I personally have no problem with people of deep religious faith being political figures. A minister offers a different perspective on an issue, and that's good. Joe Schwarz-- a doctor-- offered a different perspective, too, as does Vern Ehlers, a physicist, and Bart Stupak, who was a police officer.

That said, something doesn't sit right with me after reading this article from the World magazine. The World, for those not familiar with it, is a far-right evangelical weekly news magazine.

In an interview with the magazine, one reads this:
At a time when some conservative religious leaders are questioning the marriage between evangelicals and the Republican Party, Rep. Walberg has found unity between his religion and political interests. "Politics is just another format that can be used as a place of intentional ministry," Walberg told WORLD. "Christians can be involved in influencing their culture here [in Washington]."
(Emphasis added.)

See, that's what doesn't sit right with me. We elect our representatives to serve the interests of their constituents, not to spread their religious beliefs. I have no issue with religion helping to shape your views on issues. My problem is with someone acting like a minister when he should be a legislator.

At the very least, Walberg's statements in the interview show that he's not at all interested in reaching out to "secular liberals" in his district like me, who are uncomfortable with such rhetoric. But we're all too busy supporting Hollywood and undermining Christian values, right? (To be fair, I've never heard Walberg himself say that. Others, though...)

Religion should to be a private experience, to be shared with loved ones. It shouldn't be something you highlight in public to certify your credentials as a good, moral person. And it definitely shouldn't be your motivation to seek public office. But, of course, that's just my opinion.

Go and read the whole article. It's pretty short, but it's worth reading.

Now, at the risk of being called a hypocrite myself, I'll leave you with this:
(Matthew 6:5-6)

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

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Comments:
I have no problem with people of faith serving in government, our founding fathers were men of faith, and all our Presidents relied on divine guidance during difficult times while in office. Faith and religion has always been a part of government.

However I have hard time with Walberg using his clerical credentials and doing, or allowing to be done, what he did to Joe Schwarz during the campaign. He consistantly lied and misrepresented him and "beared false witness."

Simply put, he is a hypocrite to the Nth degree and the worst representative of Christianity.

Walberg is an insult to true people of faith. It will all catch up to him eventually.
 
Great comment, anonymous, I completely agree. For a religious man, I found so many of his campaign actions not-so-christianly; the lies he told about Congressman Schwarz, and his support of a child abuser topping the list. Anything to get elected, I guess...
People like this are what gives Christians a bad name. He doesn't represent me or my beliefs, and I am in his district. I feel totally unrepresented in Washington.
 
That same article, another quote:

"Everything comes at me through the filter of my faith. It has to be that way if this is more than a religion—It's a relationship and a way of life."

If it is way of life, how can Walberg sleep at night after trashing so many people on his climb to victory?
 
Does anyone really know what branch of Christianity he believes in? I have heard he is pentecostal, but he has bounced around to a few churches and I ahve seen him list, "non-denominational" on biographical articles. I guess I don't know anyone who is non-denominational, so whats the deal? Anyone know him any better than I do?
 
Interesting nothing has been posted about Walberg's doings at the GOP State convention and the pressing issue he needed the Party to vote on.
 
A quote from Tim:

"Politics is just another format that can be used as a place of intentional ministry," Walberg told WORLD. "Christians can be involved in influencing their culture here [in Washington]."

This is exactly the reason this man should NOT be in our House of Representatives or hold any political office.
 
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