Though in my heart I have long felt the convictions behind this letter, I was not, until this morning, going to share my thoughts publicly. I am not one to brandish my religion or patriotism. But, today, after watching the two political conventions and witnessing the last four years of this administration, I must write this letter to you, not only as an American, but as a life-long Christian. It is clear to me, between the two presidential candidates, who is the true follower of Jesus.
When the New Testament tells me that whoever insults his brother or sister shall be liable (Mathew 5:22) and how we must rid ourselves of anger, malice and abusive language (Colossians 3:8), I am stricken by the insults and language the current President has hurled at underserving humans–“nasty, dopey, stupid, dummy, creepy, loser, fake, rapists, fat pigs, clown, phony, lightweight, low class slob,” and language I won’t repeat, and the Advocate certainly won’t allow. When Joe Biden refers to fellow human beings, we hear praise in terms of dignity, tolerance, forgiveness, courage, strength, human rights, and humility.
As I’m sure many of you do, I often pray for and send love and light to folks near and far. Recently, when a friend asked me what I meant by “light,” I told her I mean Divine light, a light that surrounds us with God’s love and a light that lets us see clearly the TRUE earthly and spiritual path that Jesus walked. I pray, too, that we see clearly we have a current president who has walked in the OPPOSITE direction from Jesus. He has modeled hatred and incited fear rather than encouraged love and trust. He has clearly not heeded the words of the New Testament, which tells us, “There is no fear in love…perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). Now, compare that response to humanity with that of Joe Biden, whose devout Christianity has led him to practice in private and public life what Jesus preached–“Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me” (Matthew 25:40-45). Like Jesus, Joe has worked and still pledges to work tirelessly for the downtrodden (supporting public housing, providing for veterans), the poor (raising the minimum wage to $15), the sick (expanding Obamacare so all people have access to proper health care), the old and disabled (protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid), the forgotten (protecting the Dreamers, children of immigrants who’ve grown up, worked and contributed to our country), and many more.
I will vote, then, conscience free, for Joe Biden, who will walk the walk, not merely talk the talk of a government who will take care of ALL of its people. As the light shone for Paul, may the light direct our torn-apart country back onto the TRUE path of mutual love, respect and healing. In the meantime, sending you all love and light,
Linnie Spence
Davis
