Is it Possible to Transcend Partisanship Posted on July 6th
*I wrote this a few days ago, but published it as a page instead of a post**
Many of the literature put out by Emergent church figures calls for a transcendental approach to partisan politics, they call for a departure from the left and right (liberal and conservative for the brits) political spectrums to find a happy solid ground in the middle. This sounds like a good idea in theory, but is it really possible to play it out in practice.
The more time I spend thinking about this upcoming election season I realize that in all likelihood I’ll be voting primarily for democrats (actually it’s most likely solely for democrats). When talking to friends over the past few months I’ve always said that I want to be independant of party lines, and I would vote for either side depending on where they stood in relation to where my value system is. That, again, sounds like a good idea, but come November, if I were to take a picture of my Ballot would it tell an entirely different story?
The fact is, when it comes down to voting along the values/ideals that I hold the Democratic candidates are much closer to my heart. While I wholly abhor abortion, that issue is seemingly the only Republican ideal that I can agree with, other issues, like healthcare (where we need focus on prevention and universality), war, gun control (I support the Brady Laws), and immigration reform, I side with the left.
So how then can one claim to be free from partisanship when one normally (or in all cases) sides with one group over the other? I know that we don’t want a(nother) Religious Left or Religious Right movement, but should we call a spade a spade and admit that most of us in this Emergent/emerging movement are going to side with the Left? Or do we continue the rhetoric that makes us seem transcendent and better than we truly are?
Maybe it’s just me, and everyone else is really able to separate themselves from left or right. But I think if we are honest with ourselves and do a proper evaluation we’ll see that our hearts truly side with the Left.
Pushback. Critique. Agree. I’m curious to know what you think.
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You have it right, so just do it! I don’t vote along party lines either, but I almost always vote a straight Democratic ticket. Which started me to thinking, Do the Republicans have a “Straight” ticket? But I digress, vote your heart, that was what was intended.
Commented Prescott on July 7th, 2008.i agree, tend to be more left-leaning as well though i’m registered as an independent. however, i understand — and i may be wrong here — the transcendental approach having less to do with political ideology per se and more to do with abandoning blatant partisanship, division, and politicization.
that’s why i refuse to register with a major party. i see myself as identifying with the democrats at this point in time, but i refuse to sell myself to them and i reserve to the right to reevaluate them every time a go to the ballot box.
Commented blake on July 7th, 2008.First CC Sabathia, then Harden come on the market, and your guys are six games under still sitting on their hands? Is that a white flag I see? No wonder we hear no more from you about man love. It sure is a good thing we have politics and religion to talk about. Pushback. Critique. Agree. I’m curious to know what you think?
Commented Prescott on July 10th, 2008.