'God Bless Barack Obama?'

The bbc have just had a documentary about Barack Obama's faith and the impact it has on his politics. It was excellent.

A biography on the president, looking back at his heritage, his early work, his conversion, his campaign and his first year in charge.

I remember hearing about his 'mad pastor', who was quoted as saying "God damn America", during the election campaigns; the conservative Republicans making a big thing about how anti american (and on the documentary one republican says blasphemous...!) this pastor was. It appears Rev Wright was quoted out of context, and was in fact preaching a message of freedom, equality, and Jesus. He seems like a good, biblically correct guy.

Watching this program I could not help but think the makers were anti-conservative, anti-republican but still pro christianity. I am not sure whether this is truth, but the truth about 'bible belt' Christianity they portrayed was a frightening one; of subtle racism, of the importance of a feotus' life when millions lie and die in poverty around the world, of the hatred of homosexuality rather than the love of Jesus, of misinterpretation of Jesus' teaching, not of love, acceptance and equality. This is scary.

This viewpoint was portrayed by a representative of southern baptists, who are 'evangelical conservative' Christians (where have I heard that before), who seem to be evangelical in the parts of the bible they want to be and blind in the important bits. I am not sure who they worship and follow; American tradition, or Jesus.

I am convinced that political stance of the bible is that of liberalism; Jesus loved, Jesus accepted, Jesus showed equality, the Christian message (should be) is for all, not just Jews, but gentiles, not just white men, but men of all races, not just the poor, but the rich as well, not just the educated, but the working class as well, not just the poverty stricken single parent, but the spoilt public school student. All inclusive; background, race, class, education, sexual orientation (yes I said it, Jesus loves homosexuals as well), ability, beauty, past, future...

I am realising my faith is more and more liberal, but not because I don't understand judgement, hell and sin, because I think Jesus came to bring freedom from judgement, hell and sin.

I am convinced (not just opinion) that Jesus was and is liberal.

I loved the message that the black civil rights representatives brought.

I loved seeing Jesse Jackson cry at Obama's inauguration because of his and martin luther king's dream of black equality coming into fruition.

I love the idea of equality.

I love the idea of love.

(I fear I am on an American watch list now... the 'evangelical conservative Christians' are coming to get me.........)