In this Washington Post article about the Obama administration's move to rescind George W. Bush's "job protections for health workers who refuse to provide care they find objectionable" (better stated, workers whose consciences prohibit them from being involved in abortions), reporter Rob Stein quoted preacher and author Joel Hunter, senior pastor of the Northland Church in Longwood, Florida.Hunter, an evangelical liberal in the mold of Jim Wallis and Tony Campolo (see previous Vital Signs blog posts 1, 2, 3) was recently named to Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, no doubt in gratitude for the help Hunter provided in smoothing Obama's way into the neo-evangelical fold before the election.
Hunter's quote really scales the heights of irony. Speaking of Obama's move against conscience clauses, Hunter said, "This is going to be a political hit for the administration. This will be one of those things that kind of says, 'I knew it. They talk about common ground, but really what they want is their own way.' "
As if there wasn't a pile of evidence before the election demonstrating how radical and far-reaching was Barack Obama's "own way" on abortion. Oh no, Hunter knew all right. But, as he has the habit of doing nowadays about a great many things, Hunter turned away from the plain truth. He preferred the lie.
So, will Hunter now resign from Obama's Advisory Council? Will he repent and publicly decry the savagery, deceit and audacity presented by our new president? Will he dedicate himself now to fighting the public evils his friendship with Obama helped unleash on America?
Yes, well; I doubt it too. But we can (and certainly should) pray that he does.
