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Exercise your free will and read God's Politics
In God's Politics, Jim Wallis demonstrates that the religious right isn't the only Christian voice in American politics - it is simply the loudest. Wallis brings a kinder and gentler perspective which is a refreshing alternative to the mean-spirited and power-obsessed religious right. His focus is primarily on peacemaking, self-reflection and the global battle against poverty and AIDS. Wallis proves that you can be a proud Christian American and still criticize the Bush administration's foreign(pre-emptive unilateral war in Iraq) and domestic policies(tax cuts for the wealthy).
A powerful sample of the book pits good theology in politics versus bad theology in politics. "One(good theology) invokes the name of God and faith in order to hold us accountable to God's intentions - to call us to justice, compassion, humility, repentance and reconciliation. Lincoln, Jefferson and Martin Luther King perhaps best exemplify that way. The other way(bad theology) wrongly invokes God's blessing on our activities, agendas and purposes." Wallis clearly views the religious right and the Bush administration as practitioners of bad theology. Are the means, no matter how amoral they are, justified by the end result? Wallis advises that we should not think that God is on our side but rather ask are we on the side of God?
As one who views organized religion with a skeptical eye I can honestly say that Wallis is a Christian voice I can respect and a human voice I can trust. God's Politics is simply a must read. It is one of the most thorough and thoughtful books on the role of religion and morality in politics today. It has also made me understand that there are principles of Christian philosophy(pacifism, humility, compassion and charity for the poor, and self-reflection) which ring as true to the non-religious as they do to the devout.
Thank you Jim Wallis for making me realize that, in this time of great division in America, we must all seek common ground in order to revitalize politics focused on the common and greater good.
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