Yesterday, my office watched the inaugural ceremony from my computer screen. For some reason, several others who tried to get the live feed from cnn.com could not (it was jumpy and kept freezing up). So about 10 people crowded around my desk to watch the inauguration. I thought it was a good speech and I'm hopeful of what this transition might mean for the country. Unfortunately, I think any president is stuck in a lose-lose situation. You cannot please everyone, and regardless of your involvment, you will get blamed for every bad thing that happens (I'm still mad at Al Gore for inventing Global Warming and he wasn't even president).
Two observations from the day:
1 - Some people were apathetic. During the inauguration, Lee basically shut down. Screens were set up in 3 or 4 locations on campus for students and faculty to watch the proceedings. I was surprised at some of the students who came into the office during the inauguration. They seemed completely oblivious to what was happening. A few were international students who I suppose can be given some slack (it's not their president). But I can't imagine that if I were studying in a foreign country that I would not want to soak in such a culturally defining moment as the inauguration of the leader of that country.
Some of the students who came in were probably oblivious that our country even had a president. When asked why they weren't watching the inauguration, they had this blank look on their face.
One student especially surprised me. He was an African American student from Atlanta. I had the beginnings of the inauguration on my other monitor while I made the schedule changes he wanted. I asked him if he planned to watch the rest of the inauguration? 'It's quite a historic day,' I said. His response: "Naw, I don't care about none of that junk." His apathy shocked me. "Not a fan of politics or just don't care about this inauguration?" I prodded. "I just don't care." It kind of bothered me. Being the father of a bi-racial child, I am especially interested in this president. Regardless of his policy, his presence in that office stands to break barriers and stereotypes and open doors for my son that may not have been opened before. How could this young man just "not care"?
I was listening to the broadcast on NPR later that afternoon as they interviewed an African American woman who was 100 yrs old and had attended the inauguration. She wept as she talked about how she just didn't believe it. She didn't even believe it after he got elected and it didn't sink in until that day. She said she couldn't believe how happy all those people on the mall were Another older later interviewed said that even if he did nothing in his presidency, things had already changed. She could tell her grandchildren that one day they might grow up to be president. She said she had not wore a flag (clothing I assume) or sang the national anthem in many, many years, because it didn't feel like it was hers, but today she said, "I am an American."
2 - I have been surprised at how bitter many conservatives have been (especially the Christian conservatives). I was surprised some of the staunchly anti-Obama office workers were even interested to watch. Some were only interested to see if Rick Warren would pray in Jesus name or not (he did).
I have stopped visiting the "Church of God Gossip Page" (www.actscelerate.com) because of how blatantly racist it has become. Some of the things talked about there are vile (mixed marriage is sin, black people are the cursed son's of Shem, etc). They really hate Obama. Mainly because he is a democrat, secondly because they think he is Muslim, and some of them even think he is the Antichrist. They have decided he is one of the most worthless persons in America. Many of them are hoping he messes up and proves them right. Some Christians have even said they almost hope something bad happens (i.e. terrorist attack) just to show everybody he's no good.
It reminded me of the scripture I Corinthian 13:6, "love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth". How can so many people be delighting or cheering for evil? How can they be hoping in their hearts that something bad will happen to this man or to this country as to slight him? What if he turns about to be a great president? Can or will they rejoice in the truth of this? Or has our love turned to bitterness? Jesus said the world will know us if we "love one another" (John 13). Are conservative Christians showing love during this political season or bitterness that their team lost?
Two observations from the day:
1 - Some people were apathetic. During the inauguration, Lee basically shut down. Screens were set up in 3 or 4 locations on campus for students and faculty to watch the proceedings. I was surprised at some of the students who came into the office during the inauguration. They seemed completely oblivious to what was happening. A few were international students who I suppose can be given some slack (it's not their president). But I can't imagine that if I were studying in a foreign country that I would not want to soak in such a culturally defining moment as the inauguration of the leader of that country.
Some of the students who came in were probably oblivious that our country even had a president. When asked why they weren't watching the inauguration, they had this blank look on their face.
One student especially surprised me. He was an African American student from Atlanta. I had the beginnings of the inauguration on my other monitor while I made the schedule changes he wanted. I asked him if he planned to watch the rest of the inauguration? 'It's quite a historic day,' I said. His response: "Naw, I don't care about none of that junk." His apathy shocked me. "Not a fan of politics or just don't care about this inauguration?" I prodded. "I just don't care." It kind of bothered me. Being the father of a bi-racial child, I am especially interested in this president. Regardless of his policy, his presence in that office stands to break barriers and stereotypes and open doors for my son that may not have been opened before. How could this young man just "not care"?
I was listening to the broadcast on NPR later that afternoon as they interviewed an African American woman who was 100 yrs old and had attended the inauguration. She wept as she talked about how she just didn't believe it. She didn't even believe it after he got elected and it didn't sink in until that day. She said she couldn't believe how happy all those people on the mall were Another older later interviewed said that even if he did nothing in his presidency, things had already changed. She could tell her grandchildren that one day they might grow up to be president. She said she had not wore a flag (clothing I assume) or sang the national anthem in many, many years, because it didn't feel like it was hers, but today she said, "I am an American."
2 - I have been surprised at how bitter many conservatives have been (especially the Christian conservatives). I was surprised some of the staunchly anti-Obama office workers were even interested to watch. Some were only interested to see if Rick Warren would pray in Jesus name or not (he did).
I have stopped visiting the "Church of God Gossip Page" (www.actscelerate.com) because of how blatantly racist it has become. Some of the things talked about there are vile (mixed marriage is sin, black people are the cursed son's of Shem, etc). They really hate Obama. Mainly because he is a democrat, secondly because they think he is Muslim, and some of them even think he is the Antichrist. They have decided he is one of the most worthless persons in America. Many of them are hoping he messes up and proves them right. Some Christians have even said they almost hope something bad happens (i.e. terrorist attack) just to show everybody he's no good.
It reminded me of the scripture I Corinthian 13:6, "love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth". How can so many people be delighting or cheering for evil? How can they be hoping in their hearts that something bad will happen to this man or to this country as to slight him? What if he turns about to be a great president? Can or will they rejoice in the truth of this? Or has our love turned to bitterness? Jesus said the world will know us if we "love one another" (John 13). Are conservative Christians showing love during this political season or bitterness that their team lost?
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I have to say that I am really disappointed in the responses of so many Christians to this President. To be honest, I am excited about the hope that this has instilled in the students that I teach and I am excited about the potential for positive change. What I am not excited about is the revealing of the festering puss of racism in the hearts of so many people I have known and brothers and sisters in Christ. May God have mercy on our churches. Of course, maybe the infectious puss needs to be revealed in order to be cleaned so the wound can heal.
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Am I angry? No. Am I a bigot? No. I just have fundamental differences of policy with our new president. I believe it was historical. All inaugarations are historical. It shows the world how a peaceful transfer of power should be. President Obama was freely elected and I support him as the president. I will speak out and write my senators and congressment if I oppose a particular bill or proposal. I think I have an obligation as a patriot to petition for a redress of my grievances. I have a duty to disagree. I wish him well. But I am afraid of his plans. History has proved that socialism will not and does not work. It was not what built this country.
I was surprised at how racist the inauguration became. We didn't vote for him because of his race. We voted based on his beliefs and what he stands for, right? I just find it interesting that race never entered the picture during the campaign, but after he was elected everything became devoted to race. If you didn't watch, you were racist. If you don't like Obama, it is because you are racist. I hope that as a nation we can truly follow the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and see people as people succeeding, not as a black man or white man succeeding. Hopefully, we can get past the race of our new President and hear his words.
There were a few things about the inauguration that were not what I really expected. Firstly, Obama is known for his speeches. He can be quite the moving speech giver. The speech was good, and I appreciated and agreed with much of what he had to say, however it wasn't what I expected. I guess I expected something a little more emotional. I'm not being critical, I just expected something different I guess. Also, I was surprised by his nervousness during the oath. I don't blame him though; that's a whole lot of pressure! He just always seems so cool and collected. :)
Another thing that struck me and bothered me was the crowd's reaction to President Bush (W). Man, was that disrespectful (Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye)! It bothered me. I know Bush is not a popular dude with the public right now and that most are happy to see him go, happy for the change. I just felt bad for him. Any blatant disrespect for a person in authority, to me, is an embarrassment and a shame. I realize that not everyone feels the same, but that's how I was raised. It's one thing to think it; it's another to voice it in the face of a person who has taken one of the most stressful positions on the planet for the past 8 years. I disagree with MUCH of what has taken place under Bush's command, but he's still someone to be respected; if not for the fact that he was our Commander in Chief, then just for the simply fact that he's a fellow HUMAN being with feelings. So yeah, it kinda pissed me off to hear it taking place at our Nation's Capitol no less. I don't know why I was surprised, but I was.
My final thoughts on the entire thing are that I am hopeful, but I'm also very reserved with that hope. I feel that President Obama has a lot to offer and I believe he plans to try and follow through on many of his promises and ideas. I also fear that the honeymoon that America is having with Obama will be short-lived. I guess that's the old cynic within. I want things to change and that is my hope.
I don't think someone is a racist because they don't like Obama or his policies or because they may not agree with something someone of another race believes or does. I don't like Lil' Wayne and it has nothing to do with his race. Nor do I think it is unpatriotic to disagree with a politician's policy or stance. We do have a right to let our elected leaders know how we feel.
It does seem a scab has been removed for some. Perhaps I am too sensitive about such things.
I didn't like people booing and being direspectufl of Bush either. I may not agree with everything he has done, but I think he is a good person, with good motives who got dealt a difficult hand. He perhaps chose the to listen to the wrong people.
Regarding the socialism comment, one should probably stop reading the gospels or acts. Those early Christian socialists and their silly selling all they owned, having all things in common, and caring for the poor and undeserving. ;) Humanistic socialism can result in huge bureacracy and waste; however, it appears what Jesus lived and taught was meant to be an example.
What the early christians did was outside the government. It was not the government forcing something on people. It was simply neighbor taking care of neighbor.
I agree that what the early church did was counter-cultural and outside the Roman Empire. However, it seems that by and large, the church is no longer taking care of those who need help ("the least of these"). We have adopted the "God helps those who help themselves" rule. If you're poor and ignorant, pull yourself up by your bootstraps like we did. If you're lazy, undisciplined and don't know how to manage your money - tough- get yourself straightened out and then come see us.
Where we had used our money and resources to build schools and hospitals and at times entire cities (missions), we now build coffee shops, fitness centers, and laser light shows at an incredible expense. This allocation of funds into these areas fits our common target demographic - people who don't need help with their bills but want a latte and an aerobics class.
I'm exaggerating a little, but to make the point that in the absence of the church, the government has stepped in. For all we know, it is God who is the unseen/unrecognized motivator behind the government's action to take care care of his sheep . . . because we wouldn't. His compassionate Spirit might be what motivates these liberal politicians to help people. We know the Devil has not given them this compassion.
What used to be the purpose of a local church in its community (incarnational ministry - "outreach") has now become a program that usually seeks to add to the Sunday AM crowd.
Man - I must be in a mood tonight - I know this all sounds cynical. It just seems our priorities have gotten out of whack and so of all people the GOVERNMENT is doing what Christ called the church to do. Perhaps "socialism" is God's indictment against the Church.
Proverbs might be a good place to start with people - believers or not. There is a lot of good advice in that book. Also I do not think that Christ would have wanted the government to pay for abortions. (Which was one of the first executive orders Obama signed.) I guess the answers are still blowing in the wind. I think I heard that Obama plans to harness the wind along with the sun (or the power of it). Praise the Lord. I certainly wish him well.
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