To the Editor:
It is not about policy. It is not about politics. It is not about being a Democrat, Republican or independent. It is not about being progressive, conservative or moderate. It is about faith.
As a United Methodist minister with over a half century of experience, I am pretty good at recognizing faith in an individual. Truthfully, I don’t believe this is a “clergy gift,” but most all of us can see those persons who reflect a deep faith and those who do not.
My observation is our present president has established a White House Faith Office and states the Bible is his favorite book. However, my experience tells me that faith is more than establishing a committee and possibly reading from the Bible. It is the struggle of living our faith on a daily basis.
My first question about the present president’s faith is his lack of faithfully participating in worship. All of us know that during that holy time we find peace, strength, forgiveness, renewal and hope as we gather with the “community of believers.” Now, I am aware that one doesn’t have to be in their chosen worship center each week to have faith. Yet, the need and desire to gather for corporate worship would seem a near necessity for one who carries the heavy responsibilities of serving as president of the United States, especially when they claim to be a person of faith. We have all seen past presidents of both major parties attending worship on a frequent basis. In contrast, I question if regularly playing golf on Sunday is a true faith worship experience.
My second faith question is regarding the president’s name calling. A fifth-grader may call others names. Expectedly, most of our parents have reminded us that to do so is a serious “no-no.” Yet, we hear the president calling people the following: low IQ, sleazebag, lying, horseface, crooked, crazy, shady, slippery, loser, nasty and the list continues. I would like to believe a person of real faith would understand that such name calling is hurtful, childish and unbecoming of the leader of the free world. Isn’t this a poor example of a faith claiming person? Remember, “Do unto others…”
Lastly, I continue to be shocked by the tasteless language the president spouts so often. Using vulgar four and eight-letter words is not acceptable as a trademark of a person of faith. Such words were recently actually spoken by the president at a White House Faith Office gathering. My dear grandmother would have washed my mouth out with soap if I ever displayed such a lack of vocabulary while uttering such profane words. Would it be acceptable for your preacher, priest, rabbi or spiritual leader to speak this way in public or at a worship gathering? How would we feel if our local principals used such verbiage around our children, grandchildren or at a PTA meeting? I would like to believe we would not be pleased if they did so. Thus, the obvious question is, “Why does our president do so and still speak of faith?” Faith is not just a convenient theological term, but a way of life for true followers. Faith is not a word we use lightly, but with commitment, dedication and tireless effort.
Thus, as a person who joins the centuries of believers, I ask our president to practice his personal faith. Please do not disrespect faith by humanizing it as a casual part of his worship practices and daily conversations.
Dr. Mike Cordle
United Methodist Minister, retired
Highlands