Anger is in evidence at the Democrat's convention in Denver. Threats or promises of threatening gestures have security on high alert. Sad to say, the same environment will be evidenced when the Republicans hold their convention in a week or two.

I am a Christian and a Democrat. (Now that's an oxymoron according to some folks!) Having said, "I am a Christian" is no claim to being perfect or having all the right answers. Perhaps a "practicing" Christian would be more accurate. It takes a lot of practice to be able to approach life as we believe Christ would. The Gold Medal winners in the recent Olympic games practice, practice, and practice. None of them acquire perfection and many missed the Gold with committal of critical mistakes, in spite of their dedication.

It saddens me when I hear professing Christians use profanity and derogatory language in their zeal to destroy those who disagree with them on issues we face as a nation.

Hate is a second cousin to anger. Many Christians make a big issue of Scriptures that indicate God hates various actions or sub cultures in our society. It always seems they are able to differentiate between those actions or cultures they are a part of and strike out in anger against others who are guilty of selected 'abominable' things identified in Scripture. I receive a daily devotion/question/answer type message through the internet. The author and owner of the website is very obviously Republican and leans heavily to the religious right/moral majority side of politics and issues. Most of the content is very inspiring and beneficial. However, he cannot find enough derogatory and demeaning adjectives to describe politicians, other Christian leaders, and groups that don't agree with him on all the issues. Inspiring man to hate those things we claim to be most hateful according to our image of God is a good way to stir up anger that motivates man to commit violence against his fellowman.

I haven't addressed the Racial, Gender, Age, and Sexually related issues. They are all wrapped into the political environment of our day. We could devote pages of discussion on all those issues.

The political conventions and the ensuing presidential and congressional campaign would be a good time to knock off with the anger and hatred venue and start looking at real issues and administrative/legislative approaches to addressing those issues that everyday citizens of this country and world have to deal with.