I have been watching the political news this last week with a bit of disbelief. Not that politics have turned this rotten, as I came to political awareness in the Rove Era, but rather that the “Religious Right” has strayed so far from the message of Christ. I write specifically in reference to the whole Bill Ayers melodrama.

I happen to be Christian. That is the faith prism through which I view the world. It was my understanding that it was Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin’s prism as well. For the sake of argument, let us look at the allegations that surround Sen. Obama and Mr. Ayers taking for fact that which the Republican ticket says is true: Sen. Obama was “palling around” with a man who was a 1970’s domestic terrorist. That man admitted his involvement in a terrorist organization, gave himself up to his community, and sought to make himself a productive member of society. He has since become a professor in Illinois, where he served on a Public Service Board with then-Mr. Obama and then later helped Sen. Obama kick off his campaign.

My question is: what would Jesus have done?

This simple question should be at the forefront of every Christian’s actions at all times. But again, it shows how far the Republican ticket has strayed from their virtues. The suggestion is that Sen. Obama should never have shared a room, a meal, whatever, with someone with such a history. Even if that would have flown in the face of every moral teaching of Christ.

Christ “palled around” with all sorts of sinners. His message of “go and sin no more” seems to be lost on this particular ticket.

Sen. Obama, being a devout Christian, IF he even knew Mr. Ayers history as it is being alleged, did exactly what Christ would have done: he forgave him. He accepted Mr. Ayers’ repentance, and accepted his service to society.

To assert he should have done otherwise is against the theological and moral teachings of Christ.