Spiritual Perspectives
A Letter to My President

Author's note: Writing letters to the President has not been one of my habits. The last time I wrote was when President Ford was looking for a Vice-President, and I nominated Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-Ore). He didn't listen. The chance of a President reading any letter is pretty slim, but just maybe this letter will wind its way to "W." Regardless, I feel better for having written it, and if he doesn't read it, maybe at least a few folks in McKinley County will.

Dear President Bush:

Congratulations on your November victory. As you gear up for your Inaugural Address, may I suggest some things to include, and to make a priority in your next term. I had the good fortune of hearing in person your dad's address in 1988 the one about a "kinder, gentler nation," and "a thousand points of light." I think Peggy Noonan helped write that it may be a good idea to bring her in for some advice those phrases are now part of our national vocabulary.

I am an evangelical Christian, though I am not a fundamentalist Christian. If you don't know the distinction, ask your pastor to explain it to you. It is important to understand the difference. I have appreciated your evangelical posture, though I realize you get a lot of heat for it.

Lots of Americans are hostile toward religious worldviews. They fail to comprehend that their secular worldview, tired though it may be, is every bit as much a "faith" as yours and mine. Secular faith and values motivate their politics just like Christian faith and values influence our political perspectives. Many secularists actually believe that their values are worthy of the public square but ours are not. It would be wise to explain to the nation that all citizens are driven by their values and voted accordingly. And we do well to show respect when we disagree with each other.

I can tell from your speeches that you understand the pluralistic nature of this country. Principled pluralism means that we hold fast to our worldview, debate it in the public square, let the democratic process work its way, though always protecting the minority and their right to actively participate in political life.

Mr. President, while I agreed with many of your positions (pro-life, pro faith-based initiatives, pro traditional marriage, pro an aggressive posture toward terrorism), many of us evangelicals would ask you to make your faith even more pivotal to your office. The Bible is a powerfully political book. It provides the norm for how to do politics, and that norm or standard is the pursuit of justice. You tend to talk about freedom a lot I wish I would hear more about justice.

Before we went to war, how carefully did you weigh all the issues against the longstanding Christian tradition and theory of a "just war," first articulated by St. Augustine?

When you consider public policy regarding poverty, will you please remember the biblical injunction to do justice to the poor, the widow, the fatherless? You are right to create opportunity rather than entitlement, but your compassionate conservative vision and language needs implementation.

When considering our environmental policy, please consider what the Bible has to say about caring for the creation. To be sure, this requires balance and good sense, but show us that you want to do justice to the land.

Will you do all within your power to nurture racial reconciliation? Please express your deep desire to bring people together. Spend a disproportionate amount of time in the African American, Hispanic and Native American communities - come and visit us here in Northwestern New Mexico.

Such priorities would do much to disarm your enemies. More importantly, it demonstrates your desire to be an obedient disciple of the One who has called you to do justice and serve the political community in America and the global community around the world.
Ron Polinder
Executive Director
Rehoboth Christian School

Ron Polinder can be contacted at rpolinder@rcsnm.org or (505) 863-4412.

This column is the result of a desire by community members, representing different faith communities, wishing to share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues.

For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at the Independent: (505) 863-8611, ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.