From 1851 to 2006: Ain't I a Christian?
By Emily Spearman

In the mid-1800s, the United States was in the middle of a culture war. Slavery and women's rights were the hot issues, and progressive, forward-thinking men and women played instrumental roles in the struggle for equality.

One such person was Sojourner Truth, a brilliant public speaker who dazzled audiences with her powerful speeches, the most famous of which is "Ain't I a Woman?" from 1851.

Today, as many right-wing talk show hosts will tell you, we are also in a "culture war." As a liberal Christian living in a time when the most outspoken Christians are conservative, I can empathize with Truth, a black woman in a white man's world.

Here, written in the style of Sojourner Truth but using my modern-day thoughts, beliefs and experiences, I would like to ask my right-leaning brethren: Ain't I a Christian?

Well, folks, where there is so much racket, there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the conservatives of the South and the liberals at the North, all talking about gay rights, Roe vs. Wade, and the political polarization of our country, the politicians and the religious lobbyists will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here about the power and influence of the Christian Right? It's time that we talk about the Christian Left.

The people over at Focus on the Family, the Moral Majority, and the American Family Association say that a woman and her needs come second to the fetus within her uterus, that letting two men wed threatens the entire institution of marriage, and that the world ought to be viewed in black and white. I certainly favor placing more restrictions on the availability of abortion and taking steps to ensure that women don't find themselves in situations where they feel that abortion is the only option. However, I will always come down on the side of the woman and her right to choose.

I believe that gays and lesbians are precious children of God who deserve all the rights afforded to heterosexuals, and I see the world in shades of gray, knowing that few things are truly black and white. And ain't I a Christian? Look at me! I am a Sunday School teacher, a baptized and confirmed church member, and I try to live by the Golden Rule.

And ain't I a Christian? I am as devout and sincere in my faith as the most conservative Christian out there, and my liberal viewpoints are in fact a product of my faith. My faith is, after all, based on John Wesley's quadrilateral: scripture, tradition, reason and experience. My spirituality is influenced by my life experiences and my own logic, and therefore is completely unique from anyone else's. The fact that I have been led to liberal viewpoints doesn't surprise me at all; wasn't Jesus a liberal in his day? And ain't I a Christian? My faith is personal, and I respect the right of all people to follow the faith that they choose. I live my faith each day, but I have no right to force another to live my faith. And ain't I a Christian?

Then they talk about this "civic responsibility." What political actions best reflect the teachings of Jesus? Picketing an abortion clinic or volunteering at a homeless shelter? Protesting same-sex marriage or visiting the elderly at a nursing home? I know which actions best reflect my Christian faith and the social justice which Jesus lived.

Some people may accuse me of not being a genuine Christian 'cause my beliefs differ from their own. Didn't Christ's beliefs differ from the conservative views? Where did your Christ come from (politically)? He came from the left! He challenged the status quo and He fought tirelessly for social justice and equality!

If hypocritical Christians who followed a doctrine of legalism rather than a doctrine of grace were strong enough to turn Christ's message upside down all alone, then the left-leaning Christians together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!

But we need to make our message clear to the world: The Christian Left comes in the name of love, peace, graciousness and equality, and we will work toward those ends in God's name!

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now Emily ain't got nothing more to say.

Emily Spearman (eesathena@aol.com) is a senior at Fairview High School in Boulder. Applications for the new Colorado Voices panel are being accepted until Feb. 20.