Live Blog: Compassion Forum (Clinton)
John: you’ve been extremely critical of Obama’s SF comments: [quotes beginning with ‘gotten bitter’]. You have written how faith sustained you in hard times, others in hard times. What is wrong with what he said.
From my perspective, the characterization of people that seemed to be elitist and out of touch needs to be overcome. Dems have been viewed as party that didn’t understand and respect values of Americans. Important that we make clear that people are people of faith b/c it gives them meaning in life, a spur an anchor, a guide in day-to-day living that’s part of everyone’s journey. when we think about legit concerns about trade or immigration they’re legitimate concerns. I’m confident people will get to know us better. Sen. Obama will speak for himself, does excellent job of that.
Brown: You’ve been out attacking him aggressively over this. he says “shame on you. You know he’s a man of faith, you are playing politics.”
HRC: It did seem so much in line with what we’re often charged with. Someone goes to a closed fund raiser and makes comments that seem elitist. We had good men of faith run in 2000 and 2004, but electorate concluded that they didn’t understand or respect their ways of life. I think that is an issue with voters as I heard today in Scranton. It is a legitimate political issue. some aren’t others are. this one is.
Brown: Talk about your faith. In an interview you said you believe in father, son, holy spirit. Share occasions where you felt holy spirit.
HRC: Since I was little I felt the presence of God in my life. It’s been incredibly sustaining. I’ve felt enveloping love and support of God, experiences where I felt like Holy Spirit was with me as I took a journey, a walk in the woods, watching a sunset. I have talked a lot about my life — 60 books worth — but I don’t think I could have made my life’s journey without being anchored in God’s grace without having sense of forgiveness and unconditional love. Some challenges have been extremely public, I’ve been guided and supported thorugh them. My faith has given me the confidence to make decisions that are right for me. It’s such a part of me that I can’t pull out one experience — would be trivializing what has been an extraordinary sense of possibility that I have had with me my entire life.
HRC: a reluctance on my part to be specific, rooted in my personal reserve, also worry that you have to walk the walk of faith. talking about it is important but also believe that faith is just grace, love, mystery, provocation, everything that makes life and purpose meaningful as a human being. Moments of grace are ones that I cherish. When asked a specific question about how I felt about politics being a game…it is a serious search because we’ve taken gifts god gave us with this democracy — need to be more mindful of how serious this is. This really comes from deep within me b/c we know it’s important. That’s what makes it worthwhile. that’s what makes it easy. I was with woman whose son was murdered, grandson was murdered, she told me about how strong faith is, she believes god is with her, doesn’t understnad, but grateful, determined to be person god meant her to be. When i listened to that woman tell me how she felt, but gets up and has a smile, going to her day care business where kids are entrusted with her, that’s a moment of grace. Interaction is relationship with god, not all about her. about relationship with human beings where grace is evident.
Dr. Joel Hunter: Sr. Pastor of Northland church: Senator, many of the issues we address — darfur, aids, abortion, torture — have life and death consequences. What are first principles you fall back on to make decisions – people, references, etc. to do what’s morally right.
HRC: this is one of the challenges facing us where you do have authority to face decisions that are life and death. I have a process, rooted in prayer, contemplation. have to be willing to expose yourself to many points of view, then make the decision. for a lot of us, decisions are ones you don’t make and put on a shelf. to be fair, constantly struggling to challenge yourself, have to keep opening up that decision. Some decisions look like 100-0 until you look at htem, others right down the middle. You mentioned some of them, there are more. How do we get out of Iraq the right way? Everyone knows there is no comfortable decision. I believe we have to take troops out based on best path forward. I am deeply aware that there will be predictable and unpredictable consequences. part of the decision is having to live with the consequences. I’m lucky to have people in my life to share counsel, don’t all share my view. I don’t think you can surround yourself with people you think you’ll agree with. being with people who challenge me and make me uncomfortable is part of process. want to argue, push back, hypothetical thrown back. at the end of the day you have to be comfortable making a decision. you cannot say yeah, let’s put it on back burner, make it and live with consequences. I hope I will never find myself being dismissive or abrupt with people who disagree. Maybe b/c decision process is exhausting.
Do you believe life begins at conception?
I believe potential for life begins at conception. I’m methodist, you know struggle my church has had. for me, it’s not only about a potential life, it’s about other lives involved. I’ve concluded after concern and soul-searching our task should be in this pluralistic nation, individuals must be entrusted w/ this decision. would be intrusion of government authority to abortion should be legal but safe and rare.
I’ve spent time trying to make it rare. adoption, foster care, helped create campaign against teen pregnancies, (accomplished reduction by 1/3rd). I have been in countries with different views about this question (China, spoke out, then Romania with women forced to have children for good of state, women were forced and followed, etc. abandoned kids, etc.)
brown: do you believe that someone can choose to end life when suffering?
HRC: Terri Schiavo case in Florida is example People of good faith and strong feelings on both sides about what should happen to that woman’s life. Don’t know that we’re in a position to make that choice, but don’t want us to condone govt. action that would legitimize or encourage end of life decisions. Has to be a framework for people able to make decisions, how best to create a process for that. We’re faced with these decisions b/c of technology, etc.
(break)
Brown: Religion has too much influence in public life (perception)
HRC Our obligation as leaders is any convo about religion is respectful and inclusive. Should be for good cause. We’ve been such a vibrant nation when it comes to religion because we’ve protected ourselves fromletting religion go far. religion should be in public square, should be done in a respectful and inclusive way. People may ask why we’re having this forum, why explore these issues with two poeple vying for president. I’m conscious that must be careful.
Rabbi Steve : Back to China. If China isn’t doing all it can to stop Darfur genocide, etc. is our participation in the Bejing Olympics appropriate?
HRC: I called on our president not to attend opening ceremonies of olympics, because is obvious ratification of our govt’s approval unless chinese took visible steps to begin to end suppression of tibetans and get more cooperation with respect to Sudan. How do we try to influence Chinese? Missed opportunities, incoherent policy currently. not in our best interest. would urge President to consider and publicly say he will not attend opening ceremonies. Would be great loss of face for Chinese. Could be a lot of ways to get Chinese to hear our concerns
Rev Shaw, pres of SBC: Trade policies make it difficult for poor people to access inexpensive generic meds. How would you make sure poor wolud have access to drugs needed for their lives and health, families?
HRC: We must do more to get generics and low-cost drugs, not just for HIV/AIDS, but other diseases. One reason I voted against FT Central America, because would empower pharmas. I’ve been an outspoken advocate against pharmas (which do good) — need to be advocating for lower costs, generic drugs. Will take leadership — commends Bush for leadership, didn’t go far enough.
John: HIV/AIDS, Darfur, other humanitarian issues. Why does loving God allow innocent people to suffer?
HRC: Subject of generations of commentary and debate. I don’t know, can’t wait to ask Him. What that means to me, in face of suffering, that God calls us to respond. part of what we’re expected to do. Existence is call to action. In my J-C faith tradition, old and new, demands that are placed on us on behalf of poor are unavoidable. Our debate about religion in america too often misses that. concerns should be poverty, injustice, obligations to those least among us. The Lord is waiting for us to respond to his call, we’re expected to be spending our time.
Brown: favorite Bible story?
HRC: read to chelsea, love stories, depends on what’s going on in my life at the time. Right now, is Esther, raised by Purim holiday of Jews. Not too many women to take an opportunity, risk that was courageous. that’s one most recently on my mind. Have rabbi friends that send me readings, Esther is one I wish I know more about.
E Patel (interfaith youth corps) Compassion, global poverty, climate change. Can we address it without changing standard of living?
HRC: So much can be done that owuldn’t change standard of living, but could be inspired to impact how we live. would give us opportunity to set example and be model. simple steps, turning off lights, unplugging appliances, compact fluorescent bulbs, we’re making small contribution to limiting greenhouse gasses. as president, I’d like to model and lead effort .
in prep for pope’s visit, read that vatican is carbon-negative. Great statement, we can do more. Trade, moving away from foreign oil dep. looking to cushion costs for poor and middle class. shouldn’t have to bear more.
Sharon Harper (NY Faith & Justice) Underdeveloped nations lack access to education and water are unstable — pakistan, somalia, sudan. Our security at stake, military stretched. would you commit US troops to humanitarian effort under leadership of foreign flag.
HRC: need to be leaders in women’s issues, poverty. Work that I want to do is have US lead world in putting kids in school, healthcare, women’s health, should demonstrate commitment to disenfranchised poeple. Before we commit troops, need to be perceived as peacekeeper. Partner with private sector, ngo, faith community. I appreciated Bush asking his father and her husband to represent US when tsunami hit. Sent a resonant message – our favorability rose b/c we were seen as caring, compassionate by nations that didn’t trust. have to concentrate first and foremost on restoring moral authority and standing in world. Lots of ways military can help.
Do you believe God wants you to be President?
(laughter)
HRC: I could be glib and say we’ll find out. Don’t presume anything about God. Lincoln was right when admonishing us not to assume God on our side, saying we should be on God’s side. I’ve tried to take beliefs and faith and put it to work my entire life. Motivates me to get up in morning to see what problem I can solve. I can’t imagine that God is telling me what I should do. Given me enough guidance by how I’ve been raised, etc.. Just get up and do best I can, see through a glass darkly. wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for gift of grace and faith. Faith challenges us. Worry when people become complacent, believe they have all answers. Not humanly possible for any of us to know God’s mind, searching, on journey together, need to be humble.