The Stampeding of the Lambs: 2008
By Pastor Matt Trewhella The Covenant News ~ December 11, 2007
The Republican Party, having failed to learn its lesson in 2006, is moving more to the left than to the right. They have even put up, and are heavily promoting, their poster-boy Rudy Giuliani. Sadly, those who should speak the loudest against such a move are rather speaking up in support of him. Conservative and Christian leaders have come out in support of Giuliani, and many more have made it clear they will support him if he ends up being the Party's nomination.
Rudy Giuliani is pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, and anti-Second Amendment. He also makes public appearances as a transvestite. Yet, Sean Hannity with his "stop Hillary at any cost express" has Giuliani on his show regularly and has done all he can to soften the Christian community up to the idea of a Giuliani presidency.
Bill Bennett, Mr. Virtue, recently told listeners they need to be willing to set aside their greatest issue (abortion) and "support Rudy Giuliani." Michael Medved said, "I haven't endorsed Rudy Giuliani yet," though he has had many positive things to say about him. Hugh Hewitt has said plainly that "yes" he will support Rudy Giuliani if he is the Party's nomination.
I didn't think I would need to write about this matter, but I am amazed at how many Christians have expressed the same sentiment. The reason they do so is because American Christianity has tied itself to the Republican/conservative political wagon. Because most pulpits in America do not preach about matters of civil government, the conservative talking-heads have filled the void. Hence, most Christians get their political views and take their political cues from "conservatives" rather than the Word of God.
In the world of the present breed of conservatives, it is principle be damned – all that matters is making sure Hillary isn't elected and a Republican is – at any cost. This is one way the Republican/conservative leadership keeps Christians on their political hamster wheel – by scaring them and stampeding them into voting for the lesser-of-two-evils.
Many other conservative talking-heads are carrying water for Giuliani, but probably the most shocking endorsement came from CBN founder, Pat Robertson. Robertson tried to justify his endorsement on Hannity and Combs by saying "this election is about one thing – judges, judges, judges." He is talking about Supreme Court Judge appointees.
This is another way the Republican/conservative leadership stampedes the Christians into voting for their candidate – with a mantra we have heard for 35 years – whoever is elected president will appoint Supreme Court Justices. For some reason this still holds weight for many, even though there have been ten judges replaced since Roe v. Wade – eight of which were replaced by Republican presidents - and there has always been at least a 7-2 Republican-appointed majority during the last 35 years! (Remember it was a 7-2 Republican-appointed majority Supreme Court which legalized abortion-on-demand in 1973).
Yet abortion remains legal. When will we learn that the Republican Party leadership doesn't really want abortion to end in America? Abortion is far too useful a tool to keep the substantial Christian voting-bloc stampeded behind their candidate. Many claim Giuliani will only appoint "strict constructionist judges." Anyone with a brain knows that doesn't mean a thing given the precedence the Court has ruled on and upheld over the last 70 years.
In the world of conservatives, it is principle be damned – all that matters is making sure Hillary isn't elected and a Republican is – at any cost. Even if that means casting your vote for the likes of a Giuliani. For too long Christians have been voting for the lesser-of-two-evils, now look how evil the lesser has become. When will we realize that the longer we keep on supporting the lesser-of-two-evils, the harder it will be on our nation when we finally stop?
If the Republican Party nominates Rudy Giuliani, the wisest thing we can do is to not vote for Rudy Giuliani. Perhaps if the Republicans didn't figure it out in 2006, a drubbing in 2008 will sober them up. You don't have to vote. Your vote is the currency of your virtue. And sometimes ‘not voting' speaks louder than playing the whore by voting for the lesser-of-two-evils.