I didn’t really like President William Jefferson Clinton.  I must confess that I regret some of the things I said about him.  There, I’ve said it.  And I meant it.

No, my disgust over the way he conducted his personal life has not changed.  No, I still don’t fully agree with all of the policies and priorities he had as President.  No, I would never vote for him if he ran for public office.  But none of that matters

My regret is that I didn’t appreciate him for who he was.  The individual chosen by this country to lead us.  A brilliant man and gifted politician.  Frankly, I’m just old-fashioned enough to think that the President is due a lot of respect.  Unless he commits treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors, of course.  That’s just a matter of constitutional law.  (And if you’re feeling a great need to debate me about this, just hold it in.  Another group of elected officials following a solemn process decided that President Clinton was not guilty of any of those things.  While I might agree or disagree with their decision, they worked within a system that I endorse and continue to believe is the best in today’s world society.)

So now I’m confessing that I didn’t give President Clinton the regard I should have.  And, President Clinton, if you’re reading this, please accept my sincere apology.  And for the rest of you, if I made unkind remarks in your presence – even if you agreed with me – please know that I’m sorry.

My recognition of my failings against the former President are framed by my witness of the particularly rancorous bipartisan strugglings of our current times.  I expect Democrats to be in opposition to the Republicans on some things.  And I would be disappointed if the reverse were not true.  Yet, I have a deeper heartache in all of this.

Religion has become a political issue.  In my view, that is a grave miscarriage of our system of governance.  In fact, our country was established partly in answer to the tyranny of power that included the religions of the day. 

I strongly believe that our faith and religion should be woven into the material of who we are as individuals.  In that way, our spiritual lives inform our decisions and influence our political leanings.  However, I do not believe that our faith in God should be worn merely as a badge to garner votes at a political convention.

I really like President George W. Bush.  He’s not as smooth as President Clinton.  He has made mistakes as President – just as President Clinton did when he was President.  But I like him.  And, to be honest, one of the reasons I like him is because he has been completely open about his faith in God.  He has acknowledged his failings and still clings to his Christian walk.

I am frustrated by the political machinery of our time.  President Bush’s sincere faith has been exploited.  As a result, religious and political fanatics have gathered on both ends of the spectrum to hold him up as champion or to revile him.  Both positions are founded in part on political issues, but to a great extent merely because he affirms publicly his reliance on God.

I suppose my gravest disappointment is with my fellow believers who occupy these extreme positions.  I have been saddened as I have watched the blindness that comes when we focus on a person or a political party or a nation as the source of all evil in the world instead of concentrating on what we can do to combat the evil.  I flinch when Christian brothers and sisters adopt stances that include no grace or mercy and that exhibit no desire to try to understand an opposing view.

I think I have the privilege of saying these things because I hereby openly admit my sin, beg for forgiveness, and ask to be held accountable.

I’m not asking anyone to divorce themselves from the political process – including a lively debate of the issues.  What am I asking for?  I’m not sure I can give a complete answer.  Maybe a little more respect for others.  Maybe for each of us to stop making assumptions about the motivation of others before we really try to understand.  Maybe for a little more prayer and less attitude.

Maybe if each of us were driven more by being “righteous” than merely “right.” 

Shine On!

Copyright 2005 Joe L. Cope