By: Steve Trubilla
Remember the effort labeled as a Moral Monday movement?
Buses filled with people, and money from outside of North Carolina flowed into Raleigh in an attempt to get done, by disrupting the legislative process, that which special interests within the Democrat Party could not accomplish at the ballot box.
It was in response to the sound defeat they had earned and suffered in 2012, when the people of North Carolina, by majority, finally had enough of the Democrats' decades-long failed policies and social engineering. They simply gave them the boot.
Looking at it all, it reminded me of a spoiled child jumping up and down, throwing a fit because they could not get their own way, after Mom said no to something.
A few people from right here in Franklin County joined in with all of this. Some of them are elected officials. While being paid with your tax dollars to do the people's business they spent their time with this instead.
To add insult they now have added this experience to their political resume, to be used for benefit in the future.
A few of the self-professed leaders involved shamelessly traded on their position as clergy, showing up dressed in religious robes to advance their personal and political agenda and fortunes.
I find it interesting, and most revealing how, when it is politically expedient to advance their cause, or make a buck, liberals and socialists forget to invoke their call for separation of church and state.
They rush to use this tactic when their interest is served to attack prayer in schools, take down historical monuments, strike any reference to God and Christianity, or have workbooks introduced in elementary schools that promote satanic doctrine and sexual deviance.
Yet the very same people will use churches to organize political campaigns, raise funds, have their endorsed candidates give speeches, register people to vote, and even have people sit in church pews filling out absentee ballots, all of this while they enjoy tax exempt status.
The use of the word moral in all of this is hardly appropriate.
It is used to give the appearance something righteous is being done, falsely using the faith people have in the sanctity of a church.
I do not see how one can separate the word moral from the tenants of ethics. Then there is the legality of it all as it relates to taxes. After all, at its core is personal gain.
Churches are places people gather to advance the principles of right over wrong behavior, and the goodness of human character.
The practice of politicians using churches reminds me of the story in the book of Matthew that recounts Jesus chasing the merchants and money changers out of the temple.
Morality, a powerful word, a definition that fits is, "Doing what is right because it is right." I do not feel it is right for churches to be used by politicians for their personal gain. Do you?
I also feel pastors that allow and engage in this betray the trust of those they have vowed to guide and comfort.
The most loathing of these are those that solicit or take pieces of silver as they betray their congregations. Filling their pockets while they say they are serving God.
Civil disobedience has its place, and has long been a part of the political process.
On occasion, it has accomplished meaningful and needed change.
Many involved with some of these movements have been pure of heart and should be commended for their effort and sacrifice.
I am sure some involved with Moral Monday fall in this category.
They are not the funded liberal operatives, racist, and socialist agitators that seek only to grab headlines.
There is, however, a process. While messy, it has served us well. Maybe we should have a Moral Tuesday this Election Day.
A day when everyone decides that dirty politics finally gets the boot. When those that lie and cheat to get what they want do not win.
The end does not justify the means.
A time when we all say if the best a person can do to lift themselves up is to pull another down, that is not acceptable.
That trading on tragedy to get elected is the lowest of acts.
Half-truths are lies. This does not change, no matter how many times they are said, advertised, or even when a stamp is placed on them to be mailed.
People decide many ways on who they will vote for. This Nov. 4, I am suggesting a very simply test. Vote for the person that you did not hear using personal attacks against another.
It could be the best test of all. Character, ethics, and just plain good manners matter, they really do.
No matter what political party it is.
See you in church, while it is still legal in America to go. Leave your politics at the door.