-----Original Message-----
From: Betty Alfred [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2000 8:36 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: McCain Criticized for Slur

<snip>

Christian comment alert!!!  Christian comment alert!!!

For the Christians on the list (if you will kindly indulge me while I
interject in this vein), we are called upon to pray for the leadership of
our
nations.  I have been particularly disappointed with the public campaign to
capitalize in a humorous way on Clinton's difficulties.  We have to be
informed, and sometimes we must act on information that we learn, but if we
are truly Christians, we are supposed to be praying for our leaders, not
trashing them with lurid jokes and such.  I am disgusted with the Clinton
jokes, and when I hear them from someone who professes to be a Christian, I
want to remind them that we can do better by our country by praying for
Clinton rather than engaging in pathetic attempts to find humor in his
reputation.  I have also heard terrible jokes about Chelsea, and it breaks
my
heart for her.  How sad that while she was developing into a young woman,
physically and psychologically, that we did not chose to be more supportive,
and rely upon our good parenting skills on behalf of her welfare.

This falls under the heading of loving one's neighbor as oneself.  If we who
say we are Christians strive to do that, most other things we decide during
the course of our day will be so affected.  We will not want to take a stab
the heart of another person.

Well said, Betty!  Bill Clinton has publicly stated that he has a problem in
this area and is seeking Christian counsel.  And yes, we are to pray for our
leaders, who BTW, are not nearly as unscrupulous as the Roman leaders of the
first century when this imperative was written.

I'll be the first to admit to engaging in "Clinton bashing", engaging in
just the sort of public humor you describe.  It certainly is unbecoming.  It
doesn't excuse his behavior, which is still contemptible, but we should be
lifting him up, not tearing him down.  It's not easy to separate the person
from their actions, but that's what we're called to do.  Those of us who
have been forgiven of so much need to be the first to forgive.  Glad you
called us on it.