SC SENATE: An Ecumenical View: We've Lost Faith in Lindsey Graham.

by The Rev. Jennifer Kottler and others

As religious leaders from diverse faith communities and spiritual backgrounds, we come together to express both our concerns and our hopes for this great state that we share with so many people of so many faiths, as well as our sisters and brothers who are religiously unaffiliated people of conscience.  

Based on our shared religious values, we are very much concerned about the cynicism and opportunism, the lack of a moral compass, by so many political leaders, especially those who will do or say anything to stay in power.  Unfortunately, in our evaluation of the overall situation, Lindsey Graham has become one of those politicians.  First, he attacked President Trump for being a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.” Then, after frequently being invited to play golf with the President, Graham became close to President Trump and began to talk highly of him.  This is something that he continues to do--unless it brings him political difficulties with Republican voters who do not particularly care for the President.  Then he backs away again.

 President Trump talks about "the forgotten people."  In our view, South Carolinians have become the forgotten people for Lindsay Graham.  Chasing political power and national fame, Graham has forgotten about the people who put him in office in the first place—except for now, of course, when there's an election.  So now, very quickly and somewhat desperately, our current Senator has pulled together a team of big money and slick political consultants to figure out how best to misrepresent his political opponent and, as they say, pull the wool over the eyes of South Carolina voters.

 But now, with the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Graham has shamelessly put on full display his absolute hypocrisy by doing something he strongly promised the public he would never do:  push forward a Supreme Court nominee on an election year.  

Therefore, we have little choice here:  because of what we perceive to be his recent movement in the direction of greater cynicism, opportunism, and lack of principle, we cannot in good conscience encourage anyone to vote for Lindsey Graham.

 But, fortunately for South Carolina, we can choose a better way:  one of hope over cynicism; one of real progress instead of empty talk; and one where white people, black people, and people of all colors can all work together to build a strong and unified South Carolina.  Yes, we can choose a better way where the emphasis is not on big money and big-time politics, but on the real needs of real people:  good-paying jobs, food for our hungry children, affordable education, affordable housing, affordable health care, full funding of Social Security and Medicare for all our seniors.  And, during this time of economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 virus, we can choose someone who will fight for adequate unemployment benefits, not grandstand in support of low-paying jobs.  

Upon careful and prayerful reflection, we have come to believe that we cannot expect any real help with the problems and promise of South Carolina from our current Senator.  In his pursuit of national attention and greater political power, Linsey Graham has silenced his conscience and stopped listening to the people of South Carolina.  It is our hope that South Carolinians will remember this when we vote, and vote for a person of faith and conscience who champions a better future for all people in a strong and unified state.

Prayers for a Better Future,

Religious Leaders from South Carolina are invited to sign the letter here: http://www.pofpol.us.

• Jennifer Kottler, a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada, Pastor and Certified Life and Leadership Coach, Florence, SC.