Dome of the Rock

Dome of the Rock; C. Aquilina

I’m so dismayed by the personal charges and name calling of campaign surrogates that I actually turned off MSNBC right in the middle of something Lanny Davis was saying. Not to pick on Lanny, mind you; he just happened to be the surrogate assigned to push the holier than thou religious issue.

It could easily have been some General talking nonsense about McCarthyism, or James Carville being ridiculous comparing Richardson to Judas, for heaven’s sake. (James: it’s the Republicans, stupid!) But put aside the political implications for a moment. These people are hurting the country, and they need to stop.

With the country nearly drowning in problems so overwhelming that it feels like we’re being collectively waterboarded, our media are now asking candidates "whom would you select for your pastor?" And just as offensive, "would you listen to your opponent’s pastor?"

I noticed the Pope delivered an Easter greeting calling for peace and reconciliation, and those sound like good ideas. But then he kinda rubbed the Muslims’ noses in holy water, making a public display of personally baptizing an ex-Muslim convert who’s known for his anti-Muslim remarks. Does he not see the connection? Udpdate: And how would the Pope respond to the Saudi King’s call for interfaith dialogue?

Some candidates want us to believe that when they display their pastors, it reveals their own virtue. Rudy Guiliani was thrilled to get the endorsement of Pat Robertson; John McCain was equally honored by John Hagee; Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee endorsed themselves. These are men who don’t bat an eye when right wing zealots think God’s wrath will deal with gays, blacks and Muslims, but woe be unto him who criticizes US wars against the unfaithful. George Bush doesn’t seem to need a pastor, since he claims God gives him direct authorizations to invade other peoples’ countries. And I suspect if Dick Cheney were told he had pursued policies that a majority thought were an abomination before God, he’d respond, "so?"

This political year our media have moved America dangerously close to a religious litmus test. You either believe in a religious crusade or you don’t. John McCain is a true believer, so he gets a pass. All others must prove themselves daily.

But any sane person realizes it’s a threat to the world. Never mind it’s bad for the economy; it’s not good for the country’s soul, and it’s pretty clear the Founders thought it was a terrible idea. They told us that in the Constitution, but too many in our media don’t seem to understand why they did that.

It’s distressing that the candidates keep taking the litmus test every time the media asks them to, instead of telling the reporters to butt out and go read the Constitution. Someone needs to do that, and I suspect that moment is coming. This notion that everyone has to prove not only that they’re religious, but they believe only in America’s religion and renounces all others is dangerous in a democracy built on many peoples and many faiths and the necessity for tolerance.

Though responding in different ways, both Dem candidates felt they had to reject a pastor’s words when he challenged the politically safe view of America and its role in the world. We should worry that they felt compelled to do that and worry even more when a campaign finds it politically helpful to encourage such intimidation. But too many in our media are selling the idea that we should all be relieved if everyone prefers a safe pastor.

Update II: Rev. Wright is forced to cancel speaking engagements because of security concerns. (h/t TPM and snowbird2) Mission Accomplished.

Update III: Preacher Hubert speaking to students in Berkeley in the 1960s. (h/t cbl2) :

Preacher Hubert at Berkeley

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