Open letter to Evangelicals

[stubtoe]

Dear Evangelical Americans:

I feel the time is right for me, as a progressive-minded Liberal, to reach out and attempt to engage you on a certain political matter.

For many years now the Republican Party has worked hard to capitalize on conservative American’s feelings and beliefs on certain social issues, in an effort to polarize the electorate and win votes for their candidates. This has long frustrated me and my fellow Lefties who disdain the use of hate as a political tool. Unfortunately, it works. Or rather, it has worked, but now the monster is beginning to eat itself.

Certainly gays and their issues have been used as political footballs in campaigns over the years. Now we see the result of the attempted cover up by the Republican leadership for Senator Foley’s actions, hear allegations about possibly even more closeted gays in the Republican congress, and most recently, witness the fall of an important and politically well-connected Evangelical leader.

Surely the hypocrisy here is evident. I can imagine that many of you must be feeling horribly betrayed by leaders you once trusted.

I am not here to rub your noses, call you names, or sing some odious “I told you so” song. What I am hoping for at this juncture is to get you to reconsider the use of hate and exclusion as political tactics. Please, don’t allow yourselves to be led anymore by those who would stoop to manipulate you using your own beliefs and values.

I am surely at odds with you on many social issues. You can’t convert me – don’t try - and I won’t try to convert you. I respect your right to your beliefs, even if I don’t agree. What I don’t like is to see you manipulated for political gain by those who seek power and then misuse it.

Thanks.
-stubtoe