I admit it. I was at one time a Rush Limbaugh ditto-head. I used to listen to his radio program for hours every weekday. For years I felt like finally, conservatives such as myself have been given a voice. He had the ability to verbalize exactly what I believed but was unable to put into words myself. To this day on my bookshelf sits a personally autographed copy of "See I Told You So", signed by the MahaRushi himself on the set of his now defunct television program (this goes way back to the early 90's). I casually refer to him as "Rush" because I've listened to him for so long, he seems like someone I've had a close friendship with.
It's been about 6 years since I have been able to listen to his program regularly, though I still catch bits and pieces here and there. Because of this, I don't know the latest from Rush and I openly submit to anyone who has more up-to-date information than I have.
I bring up this topic because I've been hearing some very venomous statements coming from Rush lately, not directly from Rush, but from his listeners. Recently I've heard some very dedicated Christians repeat some of the venom, and it has led me to wonder if Christians really have any business listening to this self-proclaimed, "talent on loan from God."
I don't know if Rush Limbaugh even says if he is a Christian, he may very well be. I remember specifically listening for this from his radio program and looking for this in his books. What I recall is that he always has said that he believes in God, but it seemed to be in more of a deist sense, where God is out there but he doesn't really have anything to do with our day-to-day lives. You know, the generic God-and-Country kind of stuff.
Why I consider this important is that I know Christians who typically listen to all 3 hours of Rush every day, which is more time than a college student usually listens to his or her college professors. Considering the Biblical imperatives to "to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:19) I question if this is right for a Christian to do. I suppose if listening to Rush helped our "conversation be always full of grace" (Colossians 4:6) this would not be such an issue. But what I've witnessed lately has been quite the opposite. It's been us against them, liberal (heathen) against conservative (Christian) and after a while I believe listeners have a tendency to forget there is even such a possibility that someone who is liberal can be a Christian.
A few days ago a prominent woman in my church posted a note on the internet for her friends to see. She stated that her 4 year old son liked to listen to Rush Limbaugh with her, and he had just told her "I don't like liberals." This excited her and she boasted of how proud she was of her little 4 year old. Because of her position in my church, it made me wonder if she'd welcome someone who was liberal into our church. I don't consider myself a liberal, but it sure doesn't make me feel welcome to be around her. I have to wonder if there are any ways that she could possibly consider her sentiments Godly.
Which brings me to the character issue: Not knowing if Rush Limbaugh is a Christian or not, I will choose not judge him at all. The Bible does say numerous places that "By their fruit you will know them." (Matthew 7:16 & 20) and there are obvious fruit in Limbaugh's life (he has been married and divorced 3 times, addicted to pain killers, drinks, swears, & smokes cigars (not that there's anything wrong with that). Without judging him, I can easily state that he is not a good example for my kids and I would not want them growing up to emulate this behavior.
I have grown to appreciate people who are different than I. As a Christian I think I should work hard to earn respect from people who are not like me. Many of you know that Jean & I try to promote writers on SearchWarp who have different points of view, people who don't think like us or people who come from different backgrounds than what we are familiar with. This would be more difficult if everyone knew we enjoyed listening to the man who often plays the parody, "Barack the Magic Negro". Even though it is a joke, I don't think most blacks would appreciate the humor in this song. This would definitely hurt "my witness". That is, unless I kept myself hidden away in little white social groups where I never rubbed shoulders with ethnic minorities. As a Christian, I have a huge issue with this.
My final thought has to do with grace and mercy. Since the day I first listened to Rush he has articulated very well the supposed injustice of the welfare state. This has apparently gotten more attention lately with Barack Obama saying that he wants to shift some of the current tax burdens from the poor and middle class to the rich. I have good Christian friends who are incensed at this and I've heard the sentiment "I have worked for what I have and they don't deserve to have any part of it" stated many times, many different ways.
This deeply saddens me. The foundation of the Christian life is that because of Jesus Christ, we have been given that which we do not deserve and have been spared from the punishment which we do deserve. I want to ask them (and I guess I have been too much of a coward to ask), "Is that the way God has treated you?"
Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8) and with the parable of the Creditor and Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-43) and other Scripture I think a strong Biblical case could be made for the belief that a person who is unwilling to give to those who do not deserve will not have their own debts forgiven. This makes me shudder sometimes. (Please wait here while I go give the guy on the corner some more cash. He doesn't deserve it but then again maybe I don't either.)
Does Rush Limbaugh inspire this kind of grace and mercy in you? If not, then I encourage you to fill your days with something else which does.
I welcome your comments. I am no authority on any of this, these are just my observations.
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