While most Christians were celebrating the birth of Christ with their families yesterday, it seems that Howard Dean had a conversion of his own. Drudge links to this Boston Globe article entitled “Seeking a new emphasis, Dean touts his Christianity.”
It appears from the article that Dean has come out of the closet, so to speak, and declared his Christian beliefs:
The move is striking for a man who has steadfastly kept his personal life out of the campaign, rarely offering biographical information, much less his religious beliefs. But in the Globe interview, Dean said that Jesus was an important influence in his life and that he would probably share with some voters the model Jesus has served for him.
”Christ was someone who sought out people who were disenfranchised, people who were left behind,” Dean said. ”He fought against self-righteousness of people who had everything . . . He was a person who set an extraordinary example that has lasted 2000 years, which is pretty inspiring when you think about it.”
He acknowledged that he was raised in the ”Northeast” tradition of not discussing religious beliefs in public, and said he held back in New Hampshire, where that is the practice. But in other areas, such as the South, he said, he would discuss his beliefs more openly.
Aha! So Dean will discuss his beliefs where it is conventient. I suppose this is his version of being “all things to all people.” It’s clear here that Dean is using a supposed faith in Christ only for political gain.
The article notes that Dean rarely goes to church (except when he’s preaching at one, of course), and even considered joining a Unitarian church as a compromise to his wife, who is of a different religion. Dean’s view of Jesus as merely an “example” to follow is typical of liberal theology, and it appears that Dean is positioning himself as a model of Jesus’ example.
Dean first wanted Southerners to ignore God in deciding their vote. Now it seems he’s found that it is stylish for a presidential candidate to be a faithful follower. Perhaps Dr. Dean should be reminded of the third commandment, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)