Pyles not sorry for faith or politics

In hopes of sparing Erik Curren and the Democratic Party wasted money and effort, I pointed out that being a Buddhist and a Democrat in Augusta County makes you, essentially, unelectable. But I hoped that if he intended to keep going that he take the time to share his beliefs with his would-be workers and voters.

I said only what I thought was obvious. But if this offends anyone, it somewhat confirms my position. Feelings toward faith will impact feelings on politics.

Jesus and Thomas Jefferson both called for separation of church and state. And I am as bothered by those who bring raw politics into the church as I am those who wish to establish a particular religious doctrine in our laws. But to suppose a person in a voting booth will, and should, only consider political positions, and ignore their fundamental feelings toward faith, is naïve and wrong-headed.

Some will vote against a person for being “too religious.” In 1993 the state Republican ticket was George Allen, Michael Farris and James Gilmore. Only Farris lost, and his associations with Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell were seen as decisive. Should that election be found fraudulent or errant because people were “bigoted” against the Christian religion? No. People may rightly use whatever criteria they deem appropriate in putting forward the person they think best “represents” them.

The reason I said I intended to vote for Mr. Curren, while not “endorsing” him, is because they are two different things. I am willing to vote for him because when a man I greatly respect, Creigh Deeds, is elected governor he needs people in the House of Delegates who will support his sensible proposals on re-districting and transportation. But I was unwilling to ask people to vote for him on my say so without them being aware of something that may trouble them.

When Erik chose to ignore my advice about sharing his faith, and instead only posting that he attends a Methodist church, I thought that a little too disingenuous for me to be able to recommend him to my supporters.

There are some in the Christian community who can’t understand or get past my being a Democrat. There are some Democrats who have issues with me wearing my faith on my sleeve. To each of you I will tell you that in my life I hope to be a Christian first and then be the rest. As far as being a Democrat, it ranks sixth, just after being a Redskins fan. 

I am sorry if my beliefs offended anyone, but not sorry about the beliefs I hold.