A survey commissioned by Compassion International, and conducted by the Barna Research Group, has found that McCain supporters and Obama supporters have different priorities when it comes to fighting poverty and terror in the world.
Eighty percent of McCain supporters say that fighting terror is a higher priority than fighting poverty, compared to about 30 percent of Obama supporters.
When I think of McCain’s supporters, I naturally include the “religious right” (about 90 percent of whom line up with him). At that brings to mind another recent poll (in September) which found that 60 percent of White Southern evangelicals believe torture can be justified (although the number drops to 52 percent when the respondents are reminded these same techniques might be used against Americans).
These are different polls, and one focuses on a narrow group (Southern White evangelicals). But I think it points to a trend that is plain enough to see. There is a group in America who want to end poverty even more than they want to protect themselves. There is another group who put a lower priority on ending poverty, and they want to protect America at almost any cost, even by torturing their enemies (and some innocents).
I’m speaking in very broad terms. I know. But there are sharp contrasts in this election that go beyond the surface issues; it’s about our identity as Americans — and, for some, as followers of Jesus in America.
God and fear; love and fear are the only two things. There’s only one evil in the world, fear. There’s only one good in the world, love. (De Mello, Awareness, p.62)
I’ll be writing more about this soon. I don’t plan to offer a definitive answer, but it’s a time to speak up honestly and plainly as we can.
