We have had numerous requests for this to be posted.

So without further ado, I give you Pastor Dan:

By: Pastor Dan Vernon Gates
Columbus, Georgia
Tea Party Address
September 12, 2009

I was asked to share five minutes of thought about certain aspects of a recent appeal by our President for approval of many of his policies – most especially his health care program; an appeal that he sought to wrap in a context of religion and Holy Scripture. I suspect I may have been chosen because … I'm a preacher.

Well, my first thought is that I'm pretty sure I've never had a full five minutes of consistent thought so we may get finished a bit early.

But, secondly, I'm absolutely sure that no matter how beautiful the wrapping, if what's inside the package stinks, the wrapping is of little consequence. The Holy Word of the Living God is not tinseled wrapping paper. And --- contrary to popular belief --is the foundation upon which America was built and, I believe, still stands --- even today. And to use scripture in the delivery of what I personally believe to be a tainted message is appalling at best; hypocrisy at worst.

Like so many of you, I listened with grave interest and read the reports of a recent teleconference in which President Obama spoke to literally thousands of Pastors, Ministers and Rabbis concerning his health care plan. In solemn tonesthe President shared with these religious leaders, what he called, "core ethical and moral obligations." As a Pastor for more than two decades, I found this
personally insulting, coming from a man who sat for 20 years under the teaching and preaching of a Christian heretic, whose "core ethical and moral obligations" are the antithesis of the Judeo-Christian faith; teachings aimed at the very destruction my nation. I, for one, refuse to be lectured by one --- even the President Of The United States -- whose theological understanding was nurtured Sunday after Sunday in a doctrine of anti-Semitism and hatred for the very nation under whose flag I fought and served. I refuse …!! I refuse …!!

During that conference call and conversation, the president “accused opponents of his healthcare plan of spreading ‘misinformation’ and ‘bearing false witness’” while saying that it is our responsibility to “look out for one another” because, in his words, “I am my brother’s keeper and I am my sister’s keeper.” Its amazing to me how the very mention of the Bible from a conservative brings a waveof “separation Of Church And State” attacks from organizations like “Move On ” and the ACLU. But the president’s quoting of the Biblical phrases “bear false witness,” and “my brother’s keeper” in an effort to forward his agenda is lauded as religious tolerance. Right-wingers are Bible thumpers. But scripture from the president’s mouth is apparently more than sacred.

It is obvious the President is making reference to Genesis, Chapter 4 and the story of Cain and Abel; a story known us all. In that story Cain slays his brother Abel. And when questioned by God, Cain, defensively and somewhat flippantly, asks the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The obvious intent of Mr. Obama’s reference was to use the Word of God as a tool of intimidation. In other words, Mr. Obama was insinuating to these Preachers and Rabbis, who seek daily the face and heart of God, that to speak ill of his health care plan is to disavow your calling -- holy man -- holy woman – to care for the sick. In my opinion, such can only be categorized as convoluted thinking intending toward coercion and intentional, selfish and arrogant misuse of Holy Scripture. Mr. President, you should be ashamed ..!!!

Were I to have the opportunity of answering that question --- Am I my brother's keeper ..??-- face-to-face, my answer would be, "No, Mr. President …! I am not my brother's keeper." "There are only a few places where you will find a keeper, Mr. President." You'll find them in prisons where those being “kept” are wards of the state, being fed and clothed and cared for by the schedule and determination of authority. And where freedom is a past memory." Americans do not need you to be our keeper, Mr. President.

You'll find keepers, Mr. President, in a zoo, where those being kept by authority are deemed incapable of feeding themselves and too ignorant of the ways of the world to survive without the "keeper's hand." That is true of a zoo, but Americans do not need you to be our keeper, Mr. President.

While you may think Americans need to be bound with chains of legislation; while you may truly believe Americans to be too ignorant to survive without the "hand of a keeper," I affirm to you, Mr. President, the Bible you quote so glibly does not declare that we are to be our "brother's keeper." But from cover to cover the message is clear and distinct that we are to be our "brother's brother." And there's a world of difference, Mr. President.

By being my "brother's brother," I acknowledge my personal responsibility of watch care over the sick and hurting. But I also acknowledge the responsibility of my brother in his watch care over me.  Personal responsibility, Mr. President, not government intrusion and regulation.

Following that doctrine, I become my brother's helper, not his warden; I become my brother's assistance, not his encumbrance. I give of my life’s values to make his life better; I do not take from him his dignity, nor do I make him a slave to a keeper, Mr. President.

Mr. President, what we need are “brothers.” What you’re giving us is “Big Brother.” Wrapping your words in scripture makes them no less frightening, no less insulting, no less demeaning to a nation built on personal liberty.

Mr. President, I am not my brother’s keeper ..!! But in the shadow of the throne of God and the flag of America, I will determine myself to be my brother's brother," a concept that seems foreign to you and your administration. But one that is rooted in Holy Scripture.

Mr. President … Jesus was not a socialist ..!!! Millions across this land --- with good hearts and good intentions --- have been convinced that Jesus was a socialist ..!! Its spouted from our universities -- and sadly – even from some of our seminaries. Well educated men and women, who should know better, point to Jesus who fed the hungry and healed the sick and say, “See, Jesus was first and foremost a socialist in His thinking and ministry,” I suggest to you that to labor under that thought is to show one's ignorance of either the true meaning of socialism or the true essence of Jesus … or both.

Jesus was a man of compassion. His heart cried out for the hurting, the lost and the sick. Now … listen to me …. when five thousand were hungry, Mr. President, he fed them with loaves and fishes " freely given" by a little boy. Jesus never took a shekel from anyone's pocket by threat of law --- or by quote of scripture --- to feed the hungry or heal the sick. Would to God, Mr. President, you could see the difference.

Mr. President, past generations of Americans, whose blood has colored red the soil of liberty, will have died in vain if future generations cannot live in the liberty for which they died. Quoting scripture does not make a cause righteous, Mr. President. Even the devil quoted scripture when it suited his purpose and plan.

If you wish to quote scripture, Mr. President, do so with regard to the majesty o God, not the quest for personal, human power. If you wish to quote scripture, Mr. President, do so --- not with arrogance of position -- but with a unassuming heart and a soul of integrity. If you wish to quote scripture, Mr. President, live by what you quote in its true meaning, un-sullied by political craving. If you wish to quote scripture, Mr. President, I would suggest you start with the words of the Master in Luke, Chapter 14, where he said he had come to set the captives free.