I am frequently asked if it is true that Glenn Beck is a Mormon. The answer is yes, that he is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, he in no way, shape, or form speaks for the Church or its members. His politics are his alone. He does frequently share his personal religious beliefs, mixed with those of his political beliefs. Again, these are his alone, and does not speak for the Church.
I was invited by a relative to join her at the Glenn Beck "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, DC. Not necessarily being a supporter of Mr. Beck or his style of “shock conservative politics,” I was hesitant to accept. But after a few days of considering the invitation, I came to the conclusion that no matter what was said or how many gathered for this event, it would be historic. It would be the first time in history that there would be little to know possibility of accurate, unbiased, and honest media coverage. I felt that Fox News would naturally be overly positive, as it was their event. And the remaining media has nothing to gain from admitting the possible success of a rival.
I expected to be attending a highly divisive political rally. I expected to hear words of anger and hate pointed at the opposing political parties. Instead, what I heard was a call to turn out hearts to God, to bring faith, hope, and charity back to America. I witnessed tributes to the military unparalleled in my lifetime.
“We must restore honor by restoring heroes for our children to look up to.” – Glenn Beck.
I have been shocked as I have returned home to read comments on Facebook, Twitter, and news reports. One news article described the event as having “political overtones,” further proving that it is now considered to be a political statement to choose to be religious.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
One friend proudly boasted that instead of watching the event with his children, he showed them the original Martin Luther King, Jr. “I have a dream” speech, delivered 47 years ago in the same location as today’s “Restoring Honor” assembly. By choosing to turn his back on the event, rather than approach it with an open mind, he and his children missed the opportunity to see Dr. King’s niece, Alveda King, pay tribute to her uncle, quoting him frequently, and call for national unity.
In a time and place where the country is emotionally divided over the location of a place of worship in New York City, I find great comfort that a gathering of nearly half a million people was lead in prayer, addressed by leaders of many faiths, and closed in prayer. A call for a “return to God” was issued to those listening.
Medals were given in the names of Faith, Hope, and Charity. The Faith Medal was presented by Chief Nigel Big Pond (my apologies for possibly getting his name wrong) to Pastor CL Jackson of Houston, Texas. Pastor Jackson invited Americans to become “covenant warriors in Christ.”
The value of Hope was described as the parent of both faith and charity. The medal for Hope was presented by St Louis Cardinals Manager Tony Larusso to player Albert Pujos. Pujos is actively involved with providing aid and assistance to those in his community, family, and in his native country of Dominican Republic.
The Charity Medal was presented by retired Texas Supreme Court Justice Raoul Gonzales to John Huntsman, Sr, for his considerable donations. Huntsman was unable to attend the ceremony, choosing instead to attend the wedding of his granddaughter being held at that exact same moment (this announcement received great applause from the audience). The medal was accepted on his behalf by Emma Houston, a breast cancer survivor who was treated at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is of African-American descent. In her acceptance speech she quoted, “This is the day the Lord hath made and we shall rejoice.”
I bring up Ms. Houston’s race, for one reason only. Of the three presenters and three recipients, there were only two Caucasians. Additionally, representatives of the Native American community assisted in the opening prayer, there was an African American choir, as well as peoples of other backgrounds participating. This event was largely diverse in race and religion. And yet, I saw a quip on Twitter that the rally was a “white supremacist” gathering.
As I have read through the mainstream media coverage of the event, I have not found one mention of the medals or of the recipients. I have also not found one mention of the 240 religious and community leaders that took the stage.
“Mankind are all of a family.” – Benjamin Franklin
I did not hear one call for “political” action. Unless you consider pleas for God to be the leader, and to bring the values of Faith, Hope, and Charity back to America, “political activity.” I was not told who to vote for. I was not even told who might be running for office. I was encouraged to turn my heart to God. I saw the military given tribute.
I have saved my favorite part of the event for last. In his closing speech, Mr. Beck asked who would be the next George Washington? Who would be the next Abraham Lincoln? Where is the John Adams and Thomas Jefferson of today? This got me to thinking. Are the political pundits like David Broder or George Will our new thought leaders? Has God left us without leaders we can look to as Americans once looked to President Washington or President Lincoln? Were politics as divisive and insulting then as they can be now? Would political parties be as offensive to each other then as we allow them to behave now? I do not have an educated answer, but my gut tells me no, that the parties likely acted with far more decorum and respect in the past than they have ever considered to do so now.
I left the event uplifted and educated. I am more firm in my personal political beliefs than ever before. None of my opinions on politics changed today. However, I have opened my mind to new hope that it is possible to bring the values of Faith, Hope, and Charity back to the core of governance of this country. And if that is politically divisive, I’ll firmly stand on the “right” side.
Comments
That convention of angry white people in Washington yesterday was a keeper for sure. Good thing I taped it on C-SPAN, I really must look at it again to be sure that I wasn't hallucinating.
And the theme: "Restoring honor to America". Wasn't that a hoot? Restoring the honor that was snatched away by Barack Obama? Really? These fools are actually nostalgic for George W. Bush. Well, they can breathe a sigh of relief. The American people (as of this writing anyway) appear hellbent on putting these silly people back in power on Election day. Let freedom ring.
Who would have dreamed that the election of a BLACK MAN would make so many people behave in such a weird and foolish manner? It truly was something to behold. Glenn Beck: This generation's Martin Loony King. Don'cha just love it?
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
With all due respect Mr. Degan, your attitudes and comments are everything that is wrong about political discourse and race relations in the United States today. We as a nation will never progress and move forward if we listen to the type of vitriole you inculcate.
http://www.examiner.com/metroeast-in-st-louis/ian-hardin
Mr. Degan, it's interesting that you have to pretend someone at this rally has made an issue about the election of a BLACK MAN, in order to pretend you have a valid point. Your hatred of those who disagree with you politically does not entitle you to make things up. We understand that you are enraged because you cannot deny rights to those you hate. Martin Luther King would be ashamed of you.
The event was an amazing spiritual event. No one spoke of any leaders either in office or running for office. 2 mothers of soldiers spoke, Sarah Palin being one of them.
The awards he gave away to people who live Faith, Hope and Charity were very moving and inspirational.
He often spoke of Martin Luther King gratefully for his devotion to his cause. And his attitude towards the military was refreshing and very well received.
I'm not sure what rally Tom Degan was at, but it WAS NOT the Restoring Honor rally.
The event was an amazing spiritual event. No one spoke of any leaders either in office or running for office. 2 mothers of soldiers spoke, Sarah Palin being one of them.
The awards he gave away to people who live Faith, Hope and Charity were very moving and inspirational.
He often spoke of Martin Luther King gratefully for his devotion to his cause. And his attitude towards the military was refreshing and very well received.
I'm not sure what rally Tom Degan was at, but it WAS NOT the Restoring Honor rally.
There were no messages of hate shared at the rally, or anger. Although I do see messages of hate and anger posted here as comments. But those are from people who are oppsed to Glenn Beck, not by his supporters. Hmm... Anyway, the LDS Church is not responsible for Beck's religious or political beliefs. As I'm sure anyone can imagine, there is a huge range of political and religious beliefs among the members of most churches--while the major points of doctrine would be agreed upon, there's a wide range of personal interpretation and understanding. The LDS Church does not require its members to join any specific political party or to vote for any specific political candidates. Yes, there are many LDS people who would identify themselves as ultra conservative. But there are also many, many LDS people who are Democrats and consider themselves liberal, and others who don't identify with either major party (Independent, or part of some other party altogether).
The fact that Glen Beck and Harry Reid can both be Mormon, shows the diversity in the church as far as political beliefs go.
We all have a right to our beliefs. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was expressing his beliefs in the March on Washington, and there were protesters and naysayers there.
Did Mr. Degan read any of this article, or just come to make trouble? Because his kneejerk reaction to either Glen Beck or Mormon seems to be "EVIL. MUST MOCK." I am a white Mormon woman who is proud to be of the nonconservative variety and claim many friends of all ethnicities--and they are Mormon as well.
I have South African friends, both white and black, Jamaican friends, and friends from many nations in South America. I have belly danced in the home of a Lebanese woman who was forced to marry at 14 by her family and secaped to the US on threat of death when she and her husband converted to my church. All of them have political beliefs that vary in some way from my own. We do share one thing in common with Mr. Beck (a man I do not listen to and know little about)--we believe that the color of our skin and political ideology do not unite us or divide us, but our common belief in God draws us together. We can be friends despite the differences. I feel truly sorry for Mr. Degan, who clearly seeks only people and information which will support his skewed and intolerant point of view.
Fox News did NOT sponsor the event. It was NOT their event. They said Mr. Beck organized this without the help of Fox News and independently from his job as a daily show host.
Not only that, Fox News Channel did not broadcast the event, and in the commentary on the event shown hours and days later, there were people that liked the event, as well as people that didn't. Some might accurately call that "Fair and Balanced". For the record, I found the event quite moving and hope that it will help restore this nation's focus on its founding principles.
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