WHEN IDEOLOGY TRUMPS TRUTH

      

Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

      Whatever happened to United We Stand?

     America is divided over ideology.  No event, except, possibly, the last presidential election, has demonstrated this truth more than the Judge Kavanaugh debacle.  All reason and discernment has seemed to have evaporated on both sides of the political divide.  Conservatives support and defend Kavanaugh with impunity, claiming him to be above reproach.

  Progressives have rallied to and supported Dr. Ford's allegations, even before any testimony was presented before congress.  Battle lines were drawn and sides taken before anyone bothered to get the facts.  Ideology, not truth, dictated, and continues to dictate, public sentiment.

     I listened, with trepidation, as conservative talk show and social media warriors attacked and maligned Dr. Ford without knowing any information other than an accusation had been made.  I watched, with bewilderment, as the same people who, just two years ago, dismissed every assault accusation made against Bill Clinton as politically motivated lies, attacked Judge Kavanaugh with abandon, simply because an accusation was made.  Before any evidence or defense was ever presented, ideological lines dictated the conclusions drawn. What a national tragedy!

       Truth is no longer important in the war of ideology.  It appears we have truly come to a tipping point in society where the end always justifies the means, no matter how damaging or destructive the means are.

       Dr. Ford trusted the Senators to protect her and investigate her allegations. Instead, they used her as a Hail Mary Pass in the final seconds of a political football game.  Dr. Ford's life will never be the same.  As the final play is under review of the officials, the country remains more divided than ever.  

       I am a conservative, I am a registered Republican (which may change) and I once supported the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the High Court. After having watched the Senatorial dog and pony show last week, I came away with a different perspective.

       Prior to hearing the testimonies of Ford and Kavanaugh, I was hoping the accusations were nothing more than a ploy of the Left to thwart Trump's conservative choice for the court.  Prematurely, however, many in the Christian community blindly rallied to the defense of a man we knew little about.  

       After hearing the testimony of both Ford and Kavanaugh, I have a different perspective.  I believe Dr. Ford. I detest the ideology of progressive politics, I support a strong constitutionalist for the Supreme Court but I no longer support Judge Kavanaugh  after witnessing his performance before the Senate. 

        To me, truth is more important than winning.  Some will say, "Did he possibly misbehave in high school and college, yeah, but he will defend our positions!"  As a follower of Christ, there is no "Yeah but..."  Right is right and wrong is wrong and a liar cannot represent us.  

       This position will make me wildly unpopular in my conservative Christian social circles.  Nonetheless, in Judge Brett Kavanaugh, I saw a man who lied about the contents of his yearbook, a man who evaded direct answers to uncomfortable questions and a man who appeared to me as a 53 year old adolescent.  I no longer have confidence in Judge Kavanaugh's character.

       Aside from Kavanaugh's ridiculous explanation for the meaning of the Ralph Club, one answer in particular told me all I needed to know about the honesty and character of this man: his explanation for the meaning of boofed.  I grew up in the 80's. I know this word is a vulgar euphemism which I will not define in this forum.  

       Dr. Ford came forth as a credible witness who lacked any evidence to support her claims.  If I were a prosecutor, I would have told Dr. Ford I believed her but would have no chance of proving her case in a court of law. There simply was no corroborating evidence. 

      Even if Dr. Ford proved to be a fraud, Judge Kavanaugh's performance before the Senate was disgraceful and juvenile. 

       What makes this political circus a national tragedy is the willingness of so many to defend someone because of an agenda rather than truth.  Prior to Dr. Ford's accusations, nothing in Judge Kavanaugh's judicial record nor his numerous background checks indicated he would behave in such a manner, yet, those who opposed his ideology immediately began to condemn him. Before Dr. Ford ever testified, those aligned with Kavanaugh's ideology defended him and condemned her.    

      The Bible says: Proverbs 18:7 - the first to state his case seems right until the other comes and examines him.  Simply put, we should never rush to judgment without all the information. That is, if we are actually interested in truth, rather than defeating our opponents at all costs.  

       What is the answer to the division tearing America apart?  Nothing short of a national revival and repentance.  Neither side of this confirmation hearing holds the moral high ground.  Both sides have disgraced themselves for their cause.  

       Change must start within the walls of the church, where we are not to be identified by political labels but by the seal of the Holy Spirit.  Scripture gives us strong warnings about making careful judgments: Isaiah 56:1 This is what the LORD says: “Be just and fair to all, do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you.

Proverbs 18:5 It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.

       If the church cannot stand for truth, we cannot stand.  The church must be the moral compass of the nation.  If the church is embroiled in politics and buys into an end justifies the means mentality the nation has no hope.  Remember, when you choose between the lesser of two evils, you are still choosing evil. Live according to truth and let God be glorified.

Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!