We the Purple - Part 2

Marcia Ford is hilarious. Reminds me of writer and librarian, Marge Wood, who has written for Wineskins. Ford is giddy about the fact that independent voters have become a major political force, from around 10 percent in the 80s to more than 40 percent today.

This is a great development because it loosens the bounds to red and blue parties. She says, "The growing discomfort with the church's alignment with the Republican Party, coupled with a refreshing freedom to question the authority of our old-guard leaders, has awakened many evangelicals to the ramifications of that lockstep obedience.

Ford has mentioned Jim Wallis by page 17, showing once again Wallis's enormous influence in the past two decades that has ballooned since 2004.

I was waiting for this list, which is inevitable but also acknowledged as always somewhat inaccurate because purple voters by definition defy definition. I'm going to edit her list a bit, but here it is:

1. We're tired of two self-serving, self-promoting parties.
2. We are fine with voting for someone with no chance of winning.
3. We vote for the person not the party.
4. No chance we'll vote a straight party ticket.
5. We have decided to be independent; don't call us undecided.
6. Diverse opinions stimulates good debate.
7. And two major parties suppress this healthy debate.
8. We want government following the will of people, not manipulating it.
9. We want Ralph Nader to keep on running and keep on fighting and keep on debating, even if we don't vote for him. We probably need to apologize for that.
10. We're inconsistent, antiparty, and yet we welcome third-party voters and candidates to join us. No, not inconsistent but outsiders and we want other outsiders to join us--there, that's better.
11. We thank God for the internet. Atheists among us might thank Al Gore.
12. We believe the United States is better than this.

We the Purple

Marcia Ford is a kindred spirit in her journey politically, spiritually, and as a writer. She describes herself as "a book author, with 18 traditionally published books. I'm also a ghostwriter, though of course I can't talk specifically about those books; let's just say that I've ghostwritten or contributed to 12 additional books. I'm also a book editor, book reviewer, writing instructor, writing mentor, and journalist. I'm married with two adult daughters, and I have a special interest in postmodern spirituality."

This month, in leading up to the election, I'll be blogging through her new book, We the Purple. On the cover it says, "We are independent voters, neither Republican red nor Democratic blue. Many of us are people of faith who are tired of partisanship in the church."

Ford believes the time has come for the huge numbers of independent voters in the United States, and many politicians are listening to this group of voters pumping their fists and crying, "Be reasonable."

But before I launch into chapter one, here is a little ditty that comes to my mind and you can sing today to the tune of Kermit the Frog's "It's not easy being green."

It's not easy being Purple.

Having to spend each day the color of Republican and Democrats.

When I think it would be nicer being red, or blue, or green, or something more primary like that.

But purple's the color of a lavender field, or the color of the sunset kissing the clear blue sky.

And purple can be big like a MOUNTAIN's Majesty, or bold, like a river, or small like a flower.

I'm purple, and I think it's what I want to be.

Greg Taylor

Looking for mission opportunities?

Through my association with Uganda, Wineskins, ZOE, The Kibo Group, water projects, Neighborhood Kitchens, and Garnett Church of Christ, I hear about and participate in many non-profit projects and missions that are always needing funding. If you or your church would like to get involved in missions, donating or participating in amazing work serving God's children worldwide, please email me: gtaylor@garnettchurch.org or info@wineskins.org.

Greg Taylor

Running With or From the Pack?

The other night we watched the Olympic Womens' Marathon. Romania's Constantina Tomescu won the 26.2 mile race. She took a gamble and it paid off.

For the first 1 1/2 hours the pack of runners (about 25-30) stayed together and ran a slower pace than normal. Shortly after this Tomescu bolted ahead of the pack and held her lead for the final 45 minutes. Sometimes she was as far as 1 minute ahead of the pack. This was a gutsy move but one she has done often in previous marathons. However, no one from the pack chased after her until it was too late. The silver and bronze medalists narrowed the gap to 20 seconds but Tomescu was already on the track kicking it in for a finish.

I guess I appreciated Tomescu's race. Maybe it is because I tended to do that in races. You feel good, you bolt ahead, and hope the training pays off. Sometimes you crash and burn, sometimes you win. Tomescu's effort was risky because the pack could watch her. If she looks back, they see her as being tired and fading. She has no one to push her so she is tempted to slow down. It is mentally challenging to keep focused ahead and wonder where those behind you are. Fortunately the people on the side of the course tell you how far ahead you are. That helps, but you still wonder. Tomescu, however, kept a small pill of smelling salts to keep her focused on her pace.

Why do you leave the pack?

The pack is in a rut. The pack is going slower than record pace. The pack is being controlled by one or two people. The pack is waiting the inevitable--when two or three people with incredible speed kick the last 1/2 mile and leave everyone else in the dust. If you don't have leg speed, it is a matter of time until they leave you behind.

Running with the pack is safe. However, running with the pack forces the ones who feel strong, on that day, to slow down. They do not run their best race. They run someone else's race, usually the one or two in control of the pack.

I used this analogy in the sermon today. I believe that God is looking for people with the guts to bolt ahead and leave the pack. I believe that God has called people sometimes to break away from the pack. I believe that there are many in the church who have heard God's call to go for it and bolt into a life of evangelism, outreach, and incarnation. However, some listen to the voices that say "stay with the pack..."

I understand that we need to be united. I understand that we need to stick together. But I also understand that sometimes packs are controlled by people who are worried about how they finish, not how they run the whole race. Packs can help people get to the end, but they slow many others down.

We live in a country where Christianity is both declining and disrespected by many of those who are not disciples of Jesus. Partly (from what I hear from them) it is because we run in packs (called cliques) and holler at others to slow down. The packs reinforce traditions and ways of "running the race" that no longer work. But, the pack seems safe. However, when you run in a pack those who are faster have to slow down. You never run to your potential. You may finish, but you always know you could have done more. Packs can help some people run a good race, but packs can also cause people to run someone else's race--not God's.

Is there a spiritual application here?

You tell me.

Who are you voting for and why?

I'm trying to decide who to vote for. Each election year I decide between the candidates. Now, I know that sounds a bit mundane and you may wonder why I'm even saying that. Don't we all choose a candidate. Not really. Most voters are Republicans or Democrats. Most voters vote their party. Still, many people vote for "the man (or woman), not the party!"

So I'm an independent who leans toward Democratic views on some things (such as just war and not offensive military policy, more help for poor, education to help address society problems such as crime before they happen, cooperative not strident foreign policy) and Republican views on others (personal responsibility, less government, pro-life).

I'm about 70% Obama and 30% McCain. McCain has the burden of proof for my vote. I respect very much his military service, suffering as prisoner of war, and his years of service. I don't respect maverick personna that doesn't take advise well, it seems, and that doesn't bode well for a president at crucial moments.

So, I don't know yet who I'm voting for. I've watched speeches by Senator Obama, Governor Palin, and plan to listen to the speech tonight by Senator McCain.

I believe firmly that one ought to weigh the issues and the candidate's ideas and potential for leading our nation and our role in the world, rather than simply voting a party line.

I can understand that others have thought through the issues and picked a party, and they are sticking with it, regardless of the candidate. That's a form of weighing the issues as well, but I think we ought to keep sharp and up on the direction of parties and candidates and not allow political parties to co-opt Christians and use their votes to press a particular political agenda.

Who are you voting for in the November presidential election?

Why?