Charleston Gazette: Religion Should Heal

Excellent editorial from the Charleston (WV) Gazette. An excerpt:

Everyone knows that the GOP embraces Religious Right goals: revoking women’s right to choose abortion, censoring “indecency” on television, requiring sex education courses to teach only abstinence, refusing to expand hate-crimes laws to cover attacks on gays, backing government-led prayer and religious displays, halting embryonic stem cell research, etc.

The GOP has incorporated this agenda into its platform — and white evangelical voters helped tip the 2000 and 2004 elections to President Bush. These are simple facts.

The baffling question, we think, is why white evangelicals are devoted to the current administration, which contradicts most teachings of Christianity’s founder.

Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers” — yet the White House exaggerated flimsy pretexts to start the needless Iraq war.

Jesus dwelt among the poor — yet the White House awards trillion-dollar giveaways to the rich.

Jesus said to pray alone in a closet — yet the White House advocates showy public displays of faith.

Jesus opposed the death penalty, saying “he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” — yet Bush set an execution record as Texas governor, and mocked a woman who was put to death.

Jesus advocated healing the sick — yet the White House cuts medical care funding.

Frankly, we think Christ’s values of compassion for average people and underdogs is best reflected by the other national political party.