Toledo clergy and state worship

We have all seen people gushing over how great our new president is. This frenzy has boiled over into practically every aspect of our lives, permeating every facet of our local media. It seems virtually impossible to breathe without hearing someone cry tears of joy about our new overlord. This hasn't been any different for some of Toledo's clergy.

For example, Rev. Robert Culp of Toledo's First Church of God says that attending Obama's inaguration will be comparable to "Simeon in the Bible when he saw Jesus". I don't understand how anyone could compare a politician, who's sole purpose is arguably to violate the 10 commandments, to God. If I was a member of his congregation and heard that, I would have walked out.

Then there is Rev. Thomas Fant, of St. Stephen AME Church, who declared that political changes have been "generated by God." He sees proof of divine intervention in Obama's ascent to power and that god is always working for the common good of all mankind. If there ever was anything that is NOT proof of working for the common good, it is politicians who are conniving enough to gain power in this gang of thieves.

I can understand how black people are happy to see their own race be successful. That is not the issue. What I don't understand is how any of them could possibly think the government is on their side, or ever will be. It's even worse when they bring religion and divine intervention into the picture. State institutions go against practically everything these people teach as good. And for them to claim that their favorite politicians are divinely inspired is no different than the old "divine right of kings" doctrine, re-applied to democracy.

To me, it makes no difference whether we can change leaders once every four years. All they will do is keep most of the same power structure in place. The only good that could ever come of this would be for Obama to decrease the government's control over my life. I don't see any possibility that this will happen. I also don't see Obama slowing down the government's war machine. He virtually promised to keep military aggression going on my dime.

It is complete tomfoolery to presume that the government can do anything that remotely approaches divine. The state has always been the first in line to desecrate anything religious. Pastors and religious folks would do best to recognize this and repudiate their claims of divine intervention in government.