Back in May, I attempted to join Oregon Christian Writers. I say “attempted” because the online form failed between collecting my information and collecting my money. I was in the group’s database, but wasn’t technically a member in good standing.

I contacted the membership director and she suggested I send a check. Did I need to fill out a membership form? No, they already had my information.

So I planned to send a check right away, but life got in the way and before I knew it two months had passed.

Now when I originally signed up, I was under the impression that the Apostles’ Creed served as the group’s doctrinal statement. The OCW home page says as much, but when I downloaded the membership form (out of curiosity) I found this:

From the Constitution of the Oregon Chrsitian Writers: Doctrinal Statement

We believe in one God, existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, coequal and eternal;

We believe that man was created in innocence, but fell in Adam, and is totally unable to redeem himself;

We believe in the full plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and believe them to be the absolutely authoritative and infallible word of God, without error in the original writings;

We believe salvation has been provided through our Lord Jesus Christ, who was born of the Virgin, suffered and died for our sins upon the cross, rose from the dead, ascended to God’s right hand, intercedes for us, and is coming again in power and great glory;

We believe it is the responsibility of all who are saved to seek to win others to Christ;

I have no problem with points one and four—these points paraphrase sections of the Nicene Creed—and I’m fine with point five as well, though I take my cue from St. Francis: "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

My issues are with points two and three.  Can I interpret the story of the fall metaphorically, or am I required to believe in a literal Adam? Does the phrase “totally unable to redeem himself” require that I accept the Calvinistic doctrine of Total Depravity? Do the words “absolutely authoritative and infallible” require not only that I accept Sola Scriptura but a fundamentalist version thereof?

I asked these questions over a month ago and have yet to hear a reply. Since then I have met a Catholic writer (and on again off again member) who remembered some “prickly feelings” regarding her Catholicism and added, “I don't think OCW is a literary home for either of us.”

So I’m left wondering “Is there a Christian writers community for me?” One that is open to all Christians, not just those who accept a narrow, borderline fundamentalist view.

I’m still looking . . .

I’ve been a registered Democrat since I turned 18, yet I was never seriously involved in politics until I volunteered for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. I had no idea how pessimistic Democrats had become after three decades of Reaganomics, the Bush Dynasty, and Clinton’s “indiscretions.” I quickly learned that every time a Democrat perceives the slightest set back, it’s time to PANIC!

I saw it during the primary campaign. I could tell the difference between the newbies like me and the seasoned campaign veterans. It was the veterans who were ready to up and surrender at every supposed downturn. Just a few examples of their “conventional wisdom”:

• When Hillary Clinton upset Obama in New Hampshire: “That’s it. She’ll sweep Super Tuesday. It's over.” She didn’t and it wasn’t.
• After Obama spilt Super Tuesday and swept the rest of February opening up an insurmountable delegate lead: “It’s not over yet. She could still win Ohio and Texas.” Well Clinton won Ohio, but counting delegates Obama won Texas.
• Jeremiah Wright: “It’s over!” Nope, just gave the speech of his career, thank you very much.
• Clinging to guns and religion: “It’s over!” Not this time either.
• Pennsylvania: “He can’t win working class white voters!” Maybe not, but he won every other demographic and the nomination.

Then came the Democratic Convention:

• “Hillary won’t go along unless she’s on the ticket.” She wasn’t, yet she did.
• “Her delegates won’t back Obama.” They did. 
• “Not the Greek Columns! Anything but the GREEK COLUMNS!!!” Nobody noticed the columns; they were listening to the next President.

Then came the General Election Campaign:

• “McCain picked Sarah Palin! It’s over!” Oh, it’s over . . . for John McCain.
• McCain suspends his campaign. “Brilliant strategy.” Yeah, right.
• The debates: “Obama can’t debate.” Won all three.
• SOCIALISM? “WE’RE DOOMED!!!” Um, no you’re not.

And despite polls showing Obama up consistently by 6 to 8 points from mid-September until election day, Democrats kept waiting for the inevitable disaster, an election fix, something, anything, besides a convincing win. Well, he won . . . convincingly.

And as President, Barack Obama has won every legislative fight. Yes his poll numbers have dropped, but he still greatly outdistances the congressional leadership and both political parties. He alone has a net positive rating and still polls strongly among independents (and of course overwhelmingly among Democrats). It’s only the die-hard Republicans who hate his guts, and can you blame them—he’s winning and he’s going to keep on winning—health care reform, climate change legislation, genuine banking reform, a repeal of DADT—it’s all coming and there’s more after that. Welcome to the wilderness, GOP.

Of course, the Republican Party and their mouthpiece, Fox News, doesn’t want you to know that.

The mainstream media doesn’t want you to know that either. They have nothing against the President per say, but conflict sells and the viewers are buying.

The progressive media should want you to know, but, like all good Democrats, they’re too busy panicking. To them, the President is either a naïve optimist in way over his head, or a secret plant of bankers, insurance executives, and Dick Cheney.

“He’s going to fail! Health Care Reform is lost! Our democracy is DOOMED!!!” They just know it.

So take a deep breath, and remember two things:

First, the sky is not falling.

And second, underestimate Barack Obama at your own risk.