The April 20, 2004 edition of The Quad ran a guest column by Marlin Caddell, strongly supporting Christian conservatism with an absolute vision that a majority rule of this type would “change society for the better.” We liberals wouldn’t “get to live in filth anymore!”For decades, Conservatives have painted Democratic liberals with a wide brush that formulates the expression: Democratic + liberal = amoral. I propose a new wide brush that cuts to the meat of the Christian conservative soul. Christian + conservative = immoral.
As a scholar and a Christian, I have taken the time to read and to think about my faith. I am convinced that God wants us to be liberal with our talents, gifts, mercy, and yes, money. Indeed, Christ was the ultimate liberal. To not follow his example must mean you are either not a Christian or you are simply immoral; hence the above equation.
Here are the options. We can keep the level of the national dialog where it currently is; a playground spat of name calling. Alternatively, we could recognize there are no wide brushes. There is no black and white. The time has come for people to stop leaning on broad generalities and to start thinking for themselves. When we look for it, we will find that common ground is located neither on the right nor the left. I hope to see you in the middle.
Tim Starn
Faculty member