Amy K. Mann: 'I am a Christian, therefore, a Democrat'

This is reposted from the Daily Camera blog section with permission from Amy K. Mann
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I didn't get it nearly twenty-years ago when I served as President of College Democrats at UNC in Greeley. I didn't understand the depth of my beliefs when I worked various Democratic campaigns in the late eighties and early nineties. Even when I served as an intern in Washington D.C, I was passionate about the issues, but I didn't understand why, I get it now: I am a Democrat because I am a Christian.

A few months ago a friend asked me how I could possibly be a staunch Democrat and be a dedicated Christian. At the time, I laughed at the absurdity of the question, but answered honestly: I am a Christian first, and because I believe in the teachings of Christ, I am politically obligated to support the values of the Democratic Party.

My conservative friend did not like my answer. He maintained that the platform of the Republican Party was directly aligned with Christianity, yet, when I brought up the fact that Christ calls us to provide for the needy, feed the poor and clothe the naked, he responded and said, “Democrats believe in killing babies.”

Again, I was taken back, by his ignorance and referred to scripture to substantiate my claims I said, “Christ calls us to turn the other cheek, not, ‘Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran.’ Jesus insists we love our neighbor, not put up a fence up to keep them out. The Lord I believe in healed the sick, if I read the scriptures correctly, Christ did not deny the leper health care because he had a preexisting condition.”

Putting our time where mouths are is important, or as scripture tells us, faith without works is dead. Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to volunteer for our amazing Democratic candidates. I will not sit back and let the Republicans destroy what’s left of our great country. . Nationally and locally we have been blessed with ethical, brilliant candidates who have the character and strength to make our country great again. I like many Democratic Christians gave up when Bush took office. I realize apathy like mine is what has lead this country into a horrific mess. I will not sit back as a Christian or a Democrat and allow our country to continue down the same path. As my faith has become the backbone of my existence, I realize that being a Democrat means caring for the lesser and is directly aligned with what I know God wants us to do. As Micah 6:8 points out, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

We are moving into what promises to be one of the most challenging election seasons of our history. Uniting as one people to make our world to a better earth has to be our common goal. If we claim to be Christians, it’s also essential we look at what our government stands for; is it truly a representation of how Christ wanted us to lead our lives? I think not. Christ offered Grace to all, not just the top two percent of our nation. In Matthew 25, versus 35-40, Christ said it best when he spoke to his disciples and said, “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will say to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you something to eat, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or see you naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ The king will answer them, ‘I tell you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.’ This is what being a Democrat is about.

Christ would not sit back and allow the rich to get richer, he would not permit his children to go without health care and Christ would certainly offer forgiveness to those who have strayed. I am certain Christ would have been opposed to the senseless killing in Iraq, I am sure he would have been appalled at how the U.S treats it’s elderly and I know he would have been disgusted by the enormous profits are oil companies are making off the poor. In good conscious, because of my belief in Christ, I am a Democrat; I challenge others to do the same.

Sincerely Yours,

Amy K. Mann
Longmont