Party Faithful

Molly Ivins' m.o. these days is to show up the annoying self-importance of the religious right. She does this by saying over and over, in many different ways, "I'm religious and I'm not annoyingly self-important. Nyaaah."

It's impossible to argue with such logic, so I won't even try.

In Ivins's latest column, she continues her theme, writing, "Dragging God into partisan politics is, in my view, a sin."

I actually almost agree with her there, except she's got her terminology backwards. The truth is, dragging party politics into the realm of God is a sin.

In Joshua 5, when Joshua sees a man standing in his way with drawn sword, the great military and spiritual leader asks, "Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?"

Are you with us or against us? Whose side are you on? It's one of the most natural human questions. But the man answers:

"Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come."

God is with us in that He is present with us, and He wants what is good for us. But He's not "with" us. He doesn't choose sides. It's not for Him to choose.

The choice is, are we with God, or are we against Him?

That's why it's no coincidence that Joshua, after his encounter with the angel, went on to say, "...choose you this day whom ye will serve;...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. "

Contrary to what Molly Ivins and others of her ilk believe, faith is not something that one only applies in the small sphere of home and hearth. The Ten Commandments don't have a geographical boundary or a sell-by date.

I'm proud to be an American. I'm proud of the freedoms and protections this country offers, and I want to preserve them. And part of being an American is supporting the party that best represents one's own convictions.

I don't believe that God loves the members of my party any more than He loves the other party. But I do believe my party's convictions on the most pressing issues—particularly issues of life and morality—are more in line with God's word than those of the other major party.

And if you don't agree, well, to paraphrase my favorite Gore, it's my party and I'll pray if I want to.
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