Alexandria — What can be better than putting the kibosh on a man of the cloth, especially if that clergyman is an aficionado of the old time religion? That's happening and devotees of separation of church and state have broadened its meaning. Making progress? Indeed.
It is startling that the increased drive out there is attempting to remove traditional Christianity and those who are followers from the list of religions and American life. The stoutest of hearts are finding it difficult to withstand the constant barrage.
Spouting such words as bigots, out-of-touch, extremists and dangerous, anti-Christian sentiment has been gaining momentum and with help of political adversaries, supposedly objective word merchants and those who simply love to smear people, no matter whom.
Political correctness has become such an obsession that anyone with another opinion is discharged as a nut, as dangerous.
A Virginia minister, a former marine, a Harvard man, mind you, is being ridiculed to hell and back for his conservative opinions. He's the one nominated for Virginia's distinguished lieutenant governor's office. He's been subject to abuse en masse and his political foes are going to get louder and louder.
OK, he once said, "yoga may result in satanic possession." So what? He responded this way: "the things that I say because I'm a Christian, [are] not because I hate anybody, but because I have religious values that matter to me."
How interesting it is. He's given no quarter for speaking his mind, even in the friendly confines of his pulpit or to his parishioners. He has also said "gays and lesbians are 'perverted' and 'very sick people.'"
Did I tell you this fellow is also a lawyer, a Harvard Law School graduate who also attended the Harvard Divinity School? Oh yes, he is an African-American. Further facts are he was born in Chester, Pa., and is the great-grandson of slaves from Orange, Va.
This man is a certified member of the Virginia Bar, was a practicing lawyer in Boston for 15 years as well as a law professor. His personal drive and determination should be the envy of lots of people, especially those wanting to join a pulpit and teach about the "things of Heaven."
Why take time to write about him? Voters of any persuasion or religious denomination should to be fully informed. Today's political atmosphere is rife with slander. Politicians and their consultants in the 2013 climate are eager to slash and burn rivals whether in church activities or in governments at any level.
The gobbledygook everywhere is that Christian beliefs, teachings and worship proceedings are silly, out-of-date. These are regularly belittled by many including the smart and educated. Reverence and respect have slipped away from societal courtesy.
Many voters and non-ballot casters are concerned with the ill-mannered and dyspeptic communities out there. Fear of ridicule and being branded a nut prevents too many from airing their true feelings.
Virginia's election cycle culminates on Nov. 5 this year. The race will be a nasty one through closing of the polls. Instigator of all this mayhem is a preacher-lawyer. He hasn't and doesn't mince any words. They may not be popular, but he is a man of his word and stands by them. For example,
"Planned Parenthood has been far more lethal to black lives than the KKK ever was. And the Democrat Party and the black civil rights allies are partners in this genocide."
Lightning rods, obviously.
Being a politician he also criticized African-Americans for "slavish devotion to the Democratic Party."
Opponents haven't wasted any vitriolic words. For fiery starters, foes say he is "ugly, mean-spirited and completely out of touch with reality."
Who is this man who has jumped into the Virginia political arena; the man who's causing extreme angst to his colleagues; and a man who stands on personal convictions, his Christian principles and gravitas? (This has been a popular word for many politicians of the liberal persuasion.)
This personage is E. W. Jackson, a.k.a. Earl Walker Jackson Sr. of Chesapeake, Va., consecrated a bishop in June 1998. His credentials are further endowed by a five-year stint as a chapel minister of the Boston Red Sox and protestant chaplain for the Boston Fire Department.
Imagine if you will that Virginia's constitution could be changed to require all lieutenant governors and governors be native born. Don't count on it though.