It's not about choosing Left or Right ... but choosing the Moral Center instead.

I recently attended a townhall meeting sponsored by the Democratic Party held at the University of Maryland, College Park. Most of the people I know, if not all, know that I am a registered Democrat. However lately, I've become dishearten by our political system.

The Republican Right pushing for important issues, however quite microscopic and narrow. Picking out Abortion Right issues and Gay Marriage claiming its going against morality. But it all stops there. What about expanding that idea. Instead of just focusing on the lives of unborn children, how about looking at the dignity of the human life --pre and post birth? That then embraces the issues on war, poverty, and health (to name a few). What of these issues? Aren't they just as important as the other two? For a group of people claiming as "owners" of the Religious sect (or the Right) aren't abortion and gay-rights too limited? Aren't there more children dying of hunger than children dying of abortion? Not that one or the other is more important...the point is, both are equally important.

The Democratic Left is not at all in any better shape. They always seems to find themselves on the defensive and seem to be scatter brained and too macroscopic in scope. All in all neglect all that is coupled with morality and faith thus shunning those who are religious. Taking the stance opposite of those in the Republican left does not make the Democratic party any better.

So which IS better? I decided to side with the Democrats, having their agenda affect a broader list of issues I believe in -- Environment, Poverty, Health Care, etc. But their policy making track is not sufficient nor are they consistent. They also tend to neglect people of Faith and how Morality and Values play a huge part in policy making.

So I'm left dangling between two political parties that I can hardly claim as reflecting what I see as important. Though a registered Democrat, there's no way I can, in good conscience, vote within party lines nor do I see any reason to switch party affiliations either. The only reason why I haven't re-registered as independent is the ability to vote during the primaries. At least, I get to choose a bit more.

I was lost. I was in need of something to make myself more hopeful of our political sphere. The speaker at the townhall meeting was Jim Wallis seems to me, a modern day Prophet. He is a Baptist Minister and have been one for a long time. Recently, he wrote a book Titled --God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It (It's a great book, I recommend you reading it) I never heard of his book prior to this event, to be honest. But I never really thought I would be hungry for more insight once I got a taste of his message. His book cover write-up starts with this:

"Since when did believing in God and having moral values make you pro-war, pro-rich, and pro Republican? And since when did promoting and pursuing a progressive social agenda with a concern for economic security, health care, and educational opportunity mean you had to put faith in God aside?"

Holy Mollie!!! Someone has actually put into words what I have been feeling for so long. To hear it come and articulated so eloquently was God sent. His message was quite simple -- God is neither a Republican nor a Democrat and we ought to "pray and worry earnestly whether we are on God's side," rather than claiming that He is on our side (The last statement perfectly reflects our human arrogance). "...the best contribution of religion is precisely not to be ideologically predictable or loyally partisan but to maintain the moral independence to critique both the Left and the Right." Religion and Faith and Moral Values are our compass to do what is right and not what is popular. "But it shouldn't mean compromise of deeply held convictions on any side. Instead, building on our most deeply held values might be the best way to move forward and create some new political opportunities. In the spirit of America's greatest religious leader, the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., the religious community could help a divided nation find common ground by moving to a higher ground."

We are human and being human means we are flawed and thus we must rely on God's guidance in making our world better and become better stewards of His creation. Rev. Gregory A. Boyd said it best when he said, "When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses. When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross."

We, as Christians, have the responsibility not to concede or blindly place our trust on politicians who like ourselves, are not perfect. But we ought to question, to challenge, and to demand that human dignity and moral equality as a whole --be it life, be it environment, be it family-- not bits and pieces of it be upheld and brought into the forefront of the political stage.

It starts with me. And you. It only takes Faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains. Just imagine a bag full of those ... each seed resting within our hearts. If we do our Christian duties and be the Stewards we are charged to be. Holding firm to our values and putting forth God beyond ourselves, we can definitely change the world and hope and pray God will guide us along the way and be pleased that we are on His side afterall.