Conservative vs. Republican

In the last few years, I've heard many people presume that the U. S. Republican party is where "conservatives" belong.  Then they espouse beliefs suggesting they have no idea how the Republican party was founded.  A quick refresher:  the Republicans came about in the 1850's to take a stand against slavery.  Economics issues and free enterprise were not enough.  They advocated social change.  It isn't the Republicans who wanted to conserve antebellum life.  They fought a war over the unacceptability of a racist society.  While most Republicans today are conservative in many areas, it isn't valid to assume they want to conserve outdated, racist agendas.

Here lately, I've heard from individuals who seem to think that about 30 years ago the two major U.S. parties just flip-flopped.  They might suggest that some ideas filtered around.  I've been wanting to pass around Ann Coulter's books to them.  The Republicans from their inception have been the party of racial progression and integration.  A few racists may have walking into the party in the last few years, coming to a place of agreement on other social issues.  They need to open their eyes and see for themselves if that's really where they want to be.  A racist would have a challenging time being a Republican.  Consider at Senator Byrd's record.  Consider the Dixiecrats of 1948.

There are many racists who also happen to be conservatives.  I think everyone can agree on that.  However, there are also racists who are liberals, anarchists, progressives, libertarians and independents.  There are racists everywhere.  Looking at history, it wouldn't be surprising at all, however, to find a racist in 2013 in the same party that once championed President Buchanan, President Lyndon Johnson, Senator Robert Byrd and Governor George Wallace.  Merely voting for President Obama doesn't erase a lifetime of racist ideas, actions and principles.  If anything, it makes one wonder how Obama could reconcile himself with a party of such long-standing opposition to individuals such as himself.

A Stand Against Racism

As a native of the state of Georgia, I am horrified by the comments reported in the media attributed to Paula Deen.  I am embarrassed that we originate from the same place.  I am mortified that we have mutual acquaintances.  I utterly disavow any connection that one might associate between us.  I have never met her, nor do I care to, other than to reach out in Christian Charity.

Her words, under oath, are reprehensible.  I will not repeat them here; they are widespread.  I only wish to go on record that no idea, principle or sentiment of prejudice of this sort is supported here on this blog.  I cannot reconcile her opinions to anything I hold dear as a Christian.  I realize that there are many people who are Christians also share her point of view.  These ideas are not from love.  They are not kind.  If I were to have a few moments alone with her, I have a few scripture passages that I would love to discuss.

Galatians 3:28

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

1 Corinthians 13

1	Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become assounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2	And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, Mt. 17.20 ; 21.21 · Mk. 11.23 and have not charity, I am nothing.
3	And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4	¶ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5	doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6	rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7	beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8	¶ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there betongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9	For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10	But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11	When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12	For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13	And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.