On Mr Helms Passing (and the Left)
I’m not a great student of recent politics, that is the politics of my lifetime, instead more of a casual observer or johnny come lately, in that my interest in politics is quite young. When I was in college and until just a few years ago, Politics was much like the weather, people talk about it, have opinions and all, but it really didn’t touch me (actually did far less than the weather) and the “little guy” of which I number have about as much effect on the weather as we do on federal politics. I am not well aware of the history of Mr Helms, nor have I walked a mile in his shoes nor understand how he thinks and sees the world. I don’t hate him, I don’t love him (any more than I would another stranger).
Mr Jessie Helms has died. Every single one of the liberal blogs I read have failed to say anything gracious (and some are definitely ungracious) at the passing of a man from this mortal coil. On reflection over their attitude on his passing, I find it a good thing that I hold no American and very few foreigners in a similar regard as the beheld Mr Helms. To reiterarate:
There is no American and very few foreign nationals whose death I would celebrate.
As they did today. I don’t hate as they hate, it seems. I can think of very few men on whose deminse I would react in a similar fashion. I think I had little good to say about the deceased when Mr Hussein and Mr Arafat died. It seems to me, if you are trying to rid the world of hatred and bigotry, one must start with oneself. In our liturgy, we repeat and strive to uphold each week, these words before the anaphora (Eucharist):
I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first….
The confession/statement goes on, but the important phrase (for this discussion) is emphasized. This does not mean I am a worse sinner than Mr Hussein, Josef Stailn, or perhaps Mr Helms. It does mean however, I am the first person whose sins are my concern. It is not for me to address the “other’s” sins while mine are lying plain before me. And … if you (on the left) hate Mr Helms, Mr Bush, or Mr Cheney then that sin is far more important to you to address than anything that those men have done or do that you find unrighteous. And no, I don’t think that to others your sin of hatred is being compared or worse then perception of the sins of those men whom you hate. What I am suggesting is that it is more important for you to address than the other.
Filed under: Christianity • Democrats • Mark O. • Politics • Religion • Republicans
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It is not for me to address the “other’s” sins while mine are lying plain before me. And … if you (on the left) hate Mr Helms, Mr Bush, or Mr Cheney then that sin is far more important to you to address than anything that those men have done or do that you find unrighteous.
Do you suppose there was more rejoicing on the Left with the death of Helms than there was on the Right at the brain cancer of Kennedy?
Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t frequent Left or Right websites or hang with folk who would be likely to rejoice over the illness or death of another human, but I know they exist on both sides.
I don’t know that one side is more brutal than the other on this regard, I would guess it would probably be roughly the same, if a study were done. But that would just be a guess.
Dan,
I offered a prayer on Mr Kennedy’s behalf. Point me the prayer for the passing or Mr Helms from a Left leaning Christian.
Did you pray that Mr Helms would be found righteous in God’s eyes and that he is now with the ranks of the blessed awaiting the resurrection?
Personally (not on my blog) I prayed “Lord, have mercy on his soul.”
I don’t know the man nor the state of his soul. I do know the pain he caused in his lifetime. It seems like a reasonable prayer.
Because of the biblical command to keep your prayers silent and to yourself, I don’t tend to make prayers in my blog posts, although I do say sometimes a quick, “Lord, may it be so…”