Stop the presses! Sarah Palin is a Born-Again Christian! No!!!! Not that!
Is it just me or am I not understanding the whole "Sarah Palin is a Bible-believing Christian" scare. Two words: So what?
Seriously, this video of her speaking at her Church pops up and it becomes a big deal. Let's ask a straight up question: if she wasn't a Born-Again Christian, would this be a big deal? I'll let you answer that.
Look, Sarah Palin believes that the Bible is the literal word of God. Welcome to the club of millions and millions of other Americans who believe that, too. I understand this view seems a little strange on the east and west coasts, but the reason Palin has single-handily gotten the Evangelical base excited is because of her sincere Christian world view. Some will call her a kook after watching some of those church videos, but millions of Christians in the heartland get it. They get Sarah Palin.
It's too bad that Sarah Palin's Born-Again faith is under attack. Just read mainstream newspapers. The stories written suggest that Palin and her views are a little "out there." I guess Christians should be used to this. It still doesn't make it right, and it makes you question whether those in the mianstream media really get it. Palin's views are not strange. (Though if you think Evangelicals are a little nuts, then you'll think differently)
Here's the interesting part. Sarah Palin is showing that just because you're a born-again Christian doesn't mean you can't talk intelligibly about other issues. In a way, Sarah Palin's high profile is putting Evangelicals in the spotlight. Palin believes in teaching creationism and believes that the Bible is the innerant Word of God. Does that make you crazy or not fit to be vice-president?
I would suggest that millions of Americans out there think that worldview is extremely lacking in Washington. That's what Sarah Palin is tapping into. She's energized Evangelicals not just because of her socially conservative views. Yes, those are important, and, yes, her stand on the life issue regarding her young son and oldest daughter are admirable. But Palin's worldview of God at the center of it all seems to really reasonate among the Evangelical base.
It's going to be interesting to watch how much she'll actually talk about her Christian faith. There are people out there ready to beat her up over it and lining up to take cheap religious shots. If she talks about her Christian faith, it may excite the Evangelical base but might not help her in the more Indepedent and moderate rustbelt.
The bet here is that she won't ignore her core. She doesn't seem like the type. The McCain camp may want to play her as the reformer maverick, but it's her Christian warrior spirit that has really brought McCain and his team the jolt they've needed.
Why are people so scared of her views? Why are people threatened by it? Or are they threatened and nervous about something larger than Palin. Am I missing something?
E-mail me. Seriously. I'll post your comments.