Our Voice Now

In reading the editorials for the last few weeks and watching coverage on television, I felt it was time that I, as a conservative, Baptist woman, write in with why I am supporting Senator Barack Obama.

I’ve heard the arguments from the right-wing.  I’ve heard the bashing from the Republicans (a party of which I was a member until 2005).  Many undecided and former Hillary supporters are also asking “Why?  Why this man?” 

While I can’t speak for others, I can give my answer.  The simple answer is we need a change from old politics.  We also need a change from only those over the age of sixty running the country.  We are in the 21st Century now and things move a lot faster than they did even five years ago.  There is no more room for the old “We are number one and the rest of the world can worship us” attitude.  Ask your children.  Odds are they have many friends around the world now thanks to the internet.  We need to accept other cultures as they are and not condemn them simply because they seem so foreign to us.  Senator McCain has admitted he does not even know how to work a computer!

One common concern I hear is that we know nothing about Senator Obama.  That his followers are simply “drinking his kool-aid”.  I will be the first to admit that when he first announced he was running for office I was excited remembering the powerful speech he gave at the Democratic Convention back in 2004.  As more and more crowds were drawn to his speeches I, too, took a moment to take a hard look and wondered if, in fact, he might turn out to be another Jim Jones.  But then I took it a step further.  I prayed about it.  I read “The Audacity of Hope”.  I watched the debates and was careful to pay close attention to his reactions, his mannerisms, any sign that he might not be practicing what he was preaching so to speak.  And after all that I found that I truly believe his is sincere and, more importantly, who we need to lead this country right now.

So, as a Baptist and conservative and former Republican, why am I voting for him?  Because for the first time in a very long time, probably going back to before I was able to vote, Senator Obama is the first candidate whose actions reflect the Biblical teachings of Jesus more than any other in the past.  I will wait a moment for those who just gasped to catch their breath.  No, readers, the Republicans do not own God nor are they the only ones who can be Christians.

Jesus has told us to love our enemies.  He taught us to love one another.  Through His actions, he was ridiculed by the religious leaders of His day when He chose to associate with the Gentiles, befriended a prostitute, and chose to make common people His disciples instead of those who spent their lives studying the Old Testament.  Those same religious leaders are the ones who spread rumors about Jesus, did their best to condemn Him for His actions, tried to turn people against Him even as large crowds were drawn to His speeches on the Sea of Galilee.   

We are constantly reminded by churches of the initials WWJD?  Well, my question to all those who are so busy commenting on the lives of people you have never met is exactly that - what would Jesus do?  Would He tell us to go right ahead and judge people based on our own personal beliefs?  Or would He tell us to follow His words and let others see Him through our everyday lives by compassion and understanding?  How many of the ones who are doing the most complaining about the decline of civilization are spending a few hours a week volunteering at a homeless shelter, a community cupboard or lending an ear to those who have been abused?  We are ALL God’s children around the world.  God didn’t just create Americans and the rest of the world ‘happened’.   

So back to why I am for Senator Obama - he reaches out to everyone no matter what social status they have, what income level, what race, religion or gender.  He understands that America can not and will not move forward and catch up with the rest of the world (a world that has long since left us in the dust) until we recognize we are all Americans in this together.  The Bush administration has done a fine job at dividing us by state color, by ethnic background (in what other country to you hear people say they are Italian this or Irish that?  Have you ever heard someone say they are African- British?).  We, as a nation, need to start focusing on our similarities and are like goals and not try to dwell on our differences.  Obama sees that.  He understands that.  He does not get up in front of crowds to say he is the only one who can do that.  He gets up and tells people that he cannot do it alone - no one can.  That we, the voters and citizens, need to do it. 

Senator Obama understands that we cannot go into other countries and demand that they believe what we believe or that they run their country like we run ours.  We are one of the youngest countries out there.  He understands that diplomacy, yes, even talking with those we don’t agree with, is the only way to get change.  We can no longer afford to play the schoolyard bully who throws a hissy fit when things don’t go his way or refuse to talk to someone because they said something we didn’t like.  If we are to be a part of this world, economically and otherwise, we need to open lines of communication.  He understands that kindness and talking accomplishes far more.   World and people experience can be far more important than office experience at times.

Senator Obama also puts family first.  He is home for PTA meetings, for dance recitals, for soccer games even with his busy schedule.  That right there speaks volumes for the kind of man he is and what his values are.  He’s not simply a ‘call-in dad’, he is there for his daughters.   

For those still believing he is a Muslim and, for whatever reason, find that offensive.  First of all, we are a nation founded on the Freedom of Religion.  Second, how could anyone still think that after all the controversy regarding Reverend Wright - the pastor of the church the Obama’s have been members of for twenty years?  And in addressing the Rev. Wright concern - how is he any different than Jerry Falwell, Oral Roberts or any other fundamental pastor?  He’s not. 

For those still believing that his real first name is Barry and that he changed it to Barack for whatever reason - no, his real given name is Barack.  Hussein is a common name in the Mid-East as well, about as common as naming someone John here. 

I would like to take a moment to address the Hillary Clinton supporters who are still threatening to vote for Senator McCain.  You are free to vote for whomever you wish but please remember this.  McCain will overturn Roe v. Wade and RvW is far more than simply an abortion issue - it’s a women’s rights issue.  If you are willing to send the rights of women back into the dark ages then please don’t complain about it when it happens because you were upset that a woman was not elected.  It will happen it just wasn’t the right time this year.

I would also like to respond to a few specifics written recently.  One person recently wrote in about how horrible it is that women some countries are forced to cover their faces.  That is part of their culture and religion.  Do all women like it?  No.  But that statement is equal to someone in another country stating how sad it is that Americans are forced to place our hands over our hearts during the Pledge of Allegiance.  We don’t even give it a second thought because it’s just what we do. 

The other is that some have expressed concerns about how their children and grandchildren will be unsafe if same-sex marriage is allowed or if Roe v. Wade is not overturned.  I ask - how?  How will either of these affect your life?  These are religious choices NOT government.  To base the good of the country and the people from ALL walks of life on two religious and personal choices is among the most unbiblical things one could do.   

So I am supporting Barack Obama not because he is the ‘history making candidate’ or because he gives good speeches.  I am supporting Barack Obama because, as a Christian, a woman and an American, I know he is the best choice for getting our nation back on track and restoring our respect in the rest of the world and is truly the best person for the job of uniting this nation and that his life and his decisions and choices are made with his faith in God and compassion for all people being two of the biggest factors.

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