Religion in American Politics

OK, lets face the facts, the majority of Americans are religious. Granted, the extent of which is diverse, however, most identify themselves as being a member of a religion. The question remains how do you best utilize this information in politics? Or better yet, should we? I believe that we should use this information to bring people together on common ground and to make a better nation. However, I don't believe we should use religion to divide people. The other fact is that while the majority is religious, there is still a minority who is not. The great thing about this nation is that the minority is given a voice and the same should ring true when it comes to religion in politics.

Why do I bring all this up? Well its quite simple, if you have been alive and aware the last five years, its become increasingly clear that certain elements have formed a radical religious movement that seeks to paint America in their image. The biggest problem with that is that they are very divisive, are against inclusion, and of course radical. The truth of the matter is that there are serious side effects of this "your either with us or against us" philosophy and one of the major effects is that people becoming more religious for the good and the bad of the country. I believe this trend is across the board without regard to political party affiliation, but its the manipulation of these trends that are at times scary.

Today, I was listening to CNN and they were talking about "Jesus Camp" a new documentary about a camp where Evangelical Christian kids go, and to be blunt about it, get indoctrinated. They represent the tomorrow of what we see today. This movement is anti anything that doesn't believe how they believe, and whats worse, they wield political power.

Now I don't like to take party sides, as my views are both conservative and liberal, but I have to admit the GOP has a strangle-hold on this issue and its been a successful advantage they have held over the heads of the democratic party. I believe that its high time democrats get a backbone and profess their religious beliefs to counter the republicans to at the very least, provide some balance where there is none.

Personally, I don't think what the religious right does or believes is in accordance to the essence of what Jesus(saw) actually taught. They seem very zealous, however its a dangerous zeal that is void of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. No one seems to have the courage in politics to ask questions like what would Jesus do?

Would Jesus be for divisive and dismissive behavior toward those that don't believe the same? Would he be inclusive, compassionate, and understanding? How would he feel about going to war with countries that haven't attacked us? What would he say about placing sanctions, embargoes, etc. on countries that weaken and kill, because we don't like them? What would he say about the crime, homelessness, hunger, corruption, etc that we see in America?

We have a "leadership" that professes to be followers of Christ, yet their lip service doesn't produce any actions that are scripturally sound. You have so-called Christian leaders calling for the assassination of heads of state, celebrating others illnesses, and calling others belief systems and Prophets evil and Satanic. You have mega churches now full of wealth, primarily for those that head them, in neighborhoods, where people can barely afford to eat or eat at all.

Now I don't want people to think I'm beating up on Christians for two reasons: First and foremost, if there was a growing Jewish or Muslim movement that had such political power and leaders in place and were guilty of the same things, I would be just as critical.

Now some may raise the BS flag because I haven't said a peep about AIPAC or the ADL for instance, and while I do hold strong opinions of their actions, as you know as a Muslim who is also black, the very moment I say a word against those groups, I will be labeled an Anti-Semite, so rather than go down that road, just know, that the same things I dish out about Evangelicals, I also hold these beliefs about other groups as well.

Secondly, these guys are not even Christians anyway in my humble opinion. I have been to Church, grew up in the Church, and was raised as a Christian by a Pastor, long enough to see in scripture that they are pseudo-Christians at best.

Lets be honest, if you care more about what others do and believe, rather than helping the poor, the sick, etc. you are already on that downward slope of being anti-Christ. The moment you can hate someone because they are different or believe different, the moment you believe in building bigger churches and helping the wealthy, the more you believe in racist and supremacist ideals, the moment you can not care about the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives because they believe something else or supposedly "hate you", you are increasingly showing that you are adverse to that which you profess.

Its time for those in politics to not run from religion, but to embrace it, but embrace it in a way where truth is separated from falsehood. We should call people on their beliefs, especially when they use them to try and get some political advantage. If religion truly guided politicians we could be a prosperous, tolerant, peaceful society, for all citizens no matter what. But the proof is in the pudding and we see what the reality is.

Minister Farrakhan's Illness

Luke 6:45 NIV

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

I must admit that I'm saddened and hurt at what I have seen today on the Internet. I haven't truly followed this story, but I decided to do a search and see what's going on. I have witnessed so much hate and vile today that I can't even think of a time that I had this much revulsion for the prospect of a better human mind and heart.

My main drive has always been my faith in God and my desire to serve Him by serving man. I know the road is rough and it is troubled. I know that sometimes I get weary, but most go on. And even though, I have been called many names, my beliefs and religion questioned, insults slung at me and my faith, etc. I have always took it in stride, because I believe in a God that transcends the wickedness present in the hearts of some men.

I always dust my self off and keep going with an optimism that many call too rosy in a time like this.

Every now and then my spirit is dragged down just a little by things like that I have read today.

From many corners on the net, all afternoon I have read nothing but cheering, jeering, insults, and outright hate speech from people of all colors and backgrounds as they celebrated the illness and possible death of NOI leader Minister Farrakhan. One has to question the morality of people that could cheer on someone else's death in general let alone this man. Granted, Farrakhan is no saint, and I don't agree with all that he says either, but here we are in a nation that people want to say is inhabited by "civilized" people, yet these same people mock and cheer on someones illness.

I know there is evil and wickedness in the world, some of it I viewed today, but what saddens me the most is that many of the comments come from those who by definition declare to be followers of Jesus(saw), Moses(saw), and even Muhammad(saw). I'm sorry I have to say it, but anyone who speaks in the manner some have spoken about Farrakhan and his illness do not represent these great messengers of God, nor are they in accordance with the will of God.

Words are a reflection of what is already in the heart and mind, if you can say these vile things about anyone let alone Farrakhan, as Solomon(saw) wrote in Proverbs "a fool's mouth is his undoing". These words reveal the wheat from the tares, and to claim God with a heart like this is utter hypocrisy. A true believer, wants for his/her brother or sister what he has for himself. No true believer wishes harm on any in the whole of humanity, even if it is there enemy.

Personally, I pray for the Minister that he gets well, Insha' Allah(If it be the will of God). For I remember a time when I sat in NOI classrooms learning and becoming more disciplined as a man of faith, I remember drug addicts, felons, prostitutes, etc. reforming through the work of the NOI and becoming chaste, disciplined, respectful men and women of God. I saw this with my own eyes, I know their work, I have seen and heard the Minister in person, and even though I may disagree with his stance on my issues, there is no way, I could wish any harm on that man and to do so is not only sick and cowardly, it exposes the contempt not only for Farrakhan but also for his message and those who support him and were changed for the better because of him.

So when his illness is mocked and possible death cheered, I can only see it as a personal insult to me and an insult to the millions that have heard him speak and support him and I am obviously one of them.

So say what you will, but hypocrisy is hypocrisy, and I don't mind calling a spade a spade, because I would rather die on truth than falsehood and injustice, and to call this man out like this especially at a time like this is wicked and evil, plain and simple.

So for those of you that wish the Minister goes to Hell, if that be Allah's will, then you will soon be there with him.

Lead, Follow, or Get out the way

I Can't say why this phrase came into my mind today. Nevertheless, I'm certain that its an appropriate phrase to describe the current state of affairs, not just in religion, but also politics, and various other socio-economic idioms.

The first time I ever heard this phrase was in the Marine Corps, and to me it symbolizes the very essence of all that I believe as it relates to life.

To me, stagnation is equivalent to death, because something with no aim nor purpose is for all intensive purposes dead and void of life. We live in a universe full of motion and it would be unnatural to be beings that are against motion. Everything lives under the laws of cause and effect, pushing and pulling, ying and yang, etc. Therefore, our individual beliefs as it relates to our personal philosophies, choices, and life must follow these same laws.

Leadership is strongly needed in this world today especially, in the realm of politics and religion, two subjects I frequent if you haven't noticed. But what kind of leadership is needed and how do we describe that leadership in the first place? I have been taught that leadership is the ability to effectively influence a unit or bloc of people and move them from one place to another in a variety of fashions or means. If this is in truth the definition of leadership, than what kind of "influence" must the said leader have and what kind of "people" will be moved by it?

A good leader is also a good follower. In order to lead, one must know how to follow. How can we expect others to be of service when we have never served ourselves? The true test and question is what are you following in the first place? An effective leader follows a principle or set of principles that instills within them with a sense of duty that makes them eager to serve in a capacity so great that this becomes the forethought of every action they take. These principles are so great that they manifest to such a degree that others pick up on this and want to follow this particular individual.

Granted, I'm just quoting and re-hashing things that many may already know and believe, but I think that in a time like this, we have to seriously engage this subject, because it effects our everyday lives.

There are core values and principles that I think we all should adhere to. In the Marine Corps, we identify these as Honor, Courage, and Commitment. A strong leader or I dare say a great leader, should exude these characteristics and or traits, and be a dedicated adherent to these as an everyday philosophy.

Honor can be summed up in two words: Justice and Integrity.

A leader must have the capacity to be able to see the world and people in such a way that they realize the universal need and urge for balance. Balance is only maintained by justice and integrity. In the political sphere, we see increasingly that things are neither just nor fair, and we all know that most politicians have thrown integrity out the window a long time ago. How can we continue to stomach the systems under which we subject ourselves to or associate ourselves with that no longer if ever, represents the needs of the people? What good is pseudo representation? The masses cry out in one direction, yet the "leadership" steers us in another direction, I don't see the justice in that. In religion, especially my own, we have allowed wolves to lead the sheep. These wolves only seek to devour and conquer. How can we say we represent a God of Peace, and we do, if we allow these wolves to show and do otherwise? This is not just in Islam, but Christianity, Judaism, and many others. Peace, true peace can only reside in a world where there is justice and integrity. Any leader that doesn't understand and actively engage in this, my dear friends isn't just the opposite of a leader but is lacking seriously, in the honor department.

Courage is having the quality of mind or spirit that enables one to move forward, even in the face of adversity no matter how great or small the odds.

It should be of no surprise that all the characteristics and ideas I have expressed so far involve motion. A leader must move forward, if they plan on leading effectively. In order to move forward one must espouse courage. There are times in life when we feel too tired, we just want to give up, and we question the road ahead because of the difficulty that awaits us. It is in these times when we must press on. In the Bible, it is written that we should let this mind be in us as it was in Jesus. One of the first questions we should be asking as it relates to this verse, is what was the mind of Jesus that we should have? What we read of Jesus, whether we believe in him or not, was that he had the mind to move ahead, stay the course, and press on regardless of adversity. He believed in his mission so much that even at the threat of death he did not waver. His message was one of peace and paradise, he wanted to restore the balance of humanity, and at all costs he pressed on with this mission. Who are we, that we don't have the courage and conviction to say what needs to be said in a time like this? Is our faith in our beliefs so weak, that we fall not only silent, but become prey for our enemies? Isn't it about time that we choose or become leaders that have the courage to look adversity in the eye and speak the truth of peace and justice, no matter what? This is what we should earnestly seek and what we must earnestly demand. Any who compromise in this area, is not worthy of leadership.

Commitment is a pledge, promise, or obligation.

I don't have to go in depth on this one, but what good is a leader that doesn't keep their word? In politics especially here in America, our "leaders" swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Any leader that does other than that isn't worthy of their position, rank, or title. If I cant trust you to keep your oath, than how can I trust you to make decisions on my behalf? In religion, our "leaders" profess and sometimes take an oath that they will express and act in accordance with the teachings of their religion. I have yet to study a religion or system of belief that doesn't believe that the Supreme Being, God is a Merciful, Just, and Peaceful God. Granted there are a few "fringe" groups like Satanists...but you get where I'm going with this. Any Rabbi, Priest, Minister, or Imam, that speaks or teaches anything other than Mercy, Justice, and Peace, is not only not of God, but are open adversaries of God. We should not allow for such leaders that openly break their commitment and yet say they act on our behalf or our beliefs. If we allow such, what does that say about us?

Everyone believe it or not, is a leader. There are just different levels in which we lead. Everyone is also a follower in which the same is also true. Just as we should examine who we allow to lead us, we must also examine ourselves to see why we are lead and if that "leader" is really representing us or what we believe. Either way, leading or following are paths of motion, even if it is backward, God forbid, but it is motion nevertheless, and where there is motion, their is life and the potential there of.

If we have become so content or so stagnant that we don't do either, then we ought to get out the way, and just exist as the zombies we are, the living dead. We live in a culture of death that promotes the adverse of life and increases the lethargic activities that lead to physical and mental death.

We are a humanity in need of two things: Leaders and Followers. However, we have to be willing to do what is necessary to establish virtuous leadership and followers, we have to have the Honor to know which is which, the Courage to point out the difference, and the Commitment to follow through. Otherwise, we will just be as it is written in the scripture as tinkling brass and symbols, pleasant sounding entertainment.

For us Muslims this is Ramadan. Ramadan is supposed to be a time of introspection. The physical fast is in truth, more spiritual than anything else. This is the time when we are supposed to be training our minds to have the discipline to act in accordance with what we believe. Controlling ones lower desires, hunger, lust, etc. gives us the ability to express the higher desires or oneness with our Creator and exemplify Peace, which is the result of Freedom, Justice, and Equality for all Humanity. If these things aren't on our agenda, its time to take a serious look in the mirror. These things have to be on our agenda.

If we aren't for the oppressed, if we aren't for the abused women and children, if we aren't for the homeless, hungry, sick and shut in, if we are not for Justice, Freedom, and Equality for all of Humanity no matter the ethnicity, nationality, or ideology, then we must accept our choices and the consequences thereof, most importantly we have to decide to and recognize that its time to Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way...

Peace be with you and yours,

Ramadan Mubarak