God, it seems, has decided to participate in the 2012 presidential election. There are a slew of Republican candidates who are invoking God’s will for their decision to run for office. First, and perhaps foremost, is would-be prophet and presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann. Only a prophet can actually speak for the Divine. Consider what she had to say about the recent East Coast earthquake and Hurricane Irene at a rally in Sarasota, Florida.
“I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake; we've had a hurricane. He said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?' Listen to the American people because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet and
we've got to rein in the spending."
At the end of her speech Congresswoman Bachmann chose to end with a prayer. She closed her eyes and prayed, “Oh, Father God….” Just as she began her prayer thunder was heard outside the building where her rally was taking place and the sky opened and rain poured down. “Lord, we hear you Father, in the thunder,” the self-proclaimed prophet continued feeling, I suspect, affirmed by God. She then lifted up in her prayer President Obama, the Supreme Court, the Senate and the House of Representatives that God would influence them all as they “grapple with … the finances of our nation.” One can assume, I believe, that she firmly believes that God has the exact same opinion on economic issues as does she.
We’ve had in the past religious literalists who see a direct cause and effect between natural, and even man-made, catastrophes and the Will of God. Some blamed the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 on God’s wrath against America because of tolerance for homosexuality. Pat Robertson, the full-time religious fundamentalist and sometimes politician sees just about every natural event as a “sign from God.” He, in commenting on the recent earthquake suggested that the cracks in the Washington Monument are symbolic of the fact America, having been “one nation under God,” is now divided. He too, like Ms. Bachmann, sees Hurricane Irene as another warning sign from God. Robertson, though, believing that he is ordained to deliver God’s warnings, prayed for Irene to go out to sea. The hurricane didn’t listen and continued her northward push.
Back to the Republican presidential contenders: God is having problems deciding which Republican presidential candidate he should back. At least three of them believe it is God pushing them forward in the competition. Bachmann, as we have seen, believes she has a special relationship with God in her bid for the nation’s highest office. Back in 2009 she stated she would not run for president unless she was sure it is what God wants her to do. She told World Net Daily:
"When I have sensed that the Lord is calling me to do something, I've said yes to it. But I will not seek a higher office if God is not calling me to do it. That's really my standard. If I am called to serve in that realm I would serve, but if I am not called, I wouldn't do it.”
Herman Cain, the Godfather’s Pizza man, also believes he has a Divine endorsement to run for president. In 1999 when his granddaughter was born, he concluded God had a plan for him. He experienced God’s call when he first held his little grandbaby. He wondered what he could do to make the world a better place for his new granddaughter. In 2006, after a battle with cancer and in having been cancer free for five years, Mr. Cain received a message from God. In April of this year he told a Tea Party Rally of his religious experience. He was feeling good about his battle with cancer and he wanted to “rest on his laurels." Then the message came: "God said, 'Not yet. I've got something else for you to do.' And it might be to become the president of the United States of America." The word from God came to Mr. Cain, he reported, via a text message. At least it can be said that Herman Cain does not hear voices.
Rick Santorum also has been called by God to run for president. Karen Santorum, Rick’s wife, was on the Christian Broadcasting Network in May and was interviewed by David Brody. "It really boils down to God's will,” she said. “What is it that God wants? ... We have prayed a lot about this decision, and we believe with all our hearts that this is what God wants." So, once again, God apparently has thrown another hat into the 2012 presidential ring.
Rick Perry has not as yet claimed that God has called him to run for president of the United States. Rather, he has set himself up to be seen as God’s endorsee. Just before announcing his candidacy for president, he held a prayer rally in Houston. On August 6, with over 30,000 in attendance, Texas Governor Perry called on God to “fix the nation’s problems.” Thunderous applause broke out among the Christian conservative audience. Without proclaiming that God called him to run for office, it appeared Rick Perry would be the instrument capable of fixing things for God.
We are living in very confusing times. Not least of the confused, seemingly, is God himself. What’s a Divine Being to do with so many godly Republicans capable of doing God’s will for the country? God, I guess, is hedging his bet and backs them all and so whoever wins God wins, too.
Not only are the times confusing, they are also dangerous. There is nothing more dangerous than those who actually believe they have a divine mandate. How can one ever be wrong if God is on your side? People who actually believe they speak and act for God are capable of doing very terrible and destructive things. The world has been through many such divinely inspired tragedies before. Let us all hope – and pray – that reason and a desire for peace and justice will decide our next election and not a false sense of a divine endorsement.
- Thomas Raphael-Nakos
