IAlbert Einstein once said “. . . looked at from a simple human point of view, moral conduct does not mean merely a stern demand to renounce some of the desired joys of life, but rather a sociable interest in a happier lot for all men.”
Four years ago Barack Obama was the only bright spot in that dismal November election. Obama ran against Alan Keyes, a right-wing demagogue that you would think, judging from the exit polls and the fundamentalists, is exactly what Americans want.
During a debate, Keyes argued that Jesus Christ would oppose Obama because he supports abortion rights.
Keyes said: "Christ is over here, Sen. Obama is over there: the two don't look the same." Keyes spread his arms far apart. A clearly perturbed Obama said he didn't appreciate being lectured about Christianity by Keyes. "That"s why I have a pastor,' he said. "That"s why I have a Bible. That's why I have my own prayer. And I don't think any of you are particularly interested in having Mr. Keyes lecture you about your faith. What you're interested in is solving problems like jobs and health care and education. I'm not running to be the minister of Illinois. I'm running to be its United States senator.'"
I think a clue to Obama's success then and now is his focus on morality. What I consider to be true morality that does not limit and oppress people or deprive them of the joys of life. It is a genuine morality that lifts us up. Obama once said:
"Alongside our famous individualism," he said, "there's another ingredient in the American saga: a belief that we are connected as one people. If there's a child on the South Side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. . . . It's that fundamental belief -- I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper -- that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. "E pluribus Unum." Out of many, one."
To fundamentalists, I'm sure it looks like a license to run wild in the streets. There's not a “thou shalt not” in sight. Not everything the fundamentalists espouse is bad. If you are unfaithful to your partner, for example, you will be doomed to extremely short-term gain. If you covet your neighbor's ox, you will live unhappily. If you commit murder, society will rise up and strike you down. I have another entire essay on the fact that only 3 of the 10 commandments are foundation for the rule of law and the rest really are just good suggestions.
The question in Genesis chapter 4, verse nine, “Am I My brother's keeper” is famous. The answer to that question, verses 10 and 11, are less famous.
9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
10 And God said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Am I my brother's keeper? The answer sounds, to me, like “Yes.”
