This post has been updated
I’ve been thinking more about Tom DeLay and moral values. DeLay is the House Majority Leader who is about to be indicted for criminal behavior. Indicted members of Congress have been required to give up leadership positions. That changed yesterday when the Republicans altered their rules to allow indicted officials to keep their posts.
Isn’t it ironic that DeLay is supposed to be the face of moral values in the House? The Republicans did everything they could to claim the mantle of moral values in the elections last month. I think they should be held to that high standard. After all, they asked for it. So did the evangelical Christian supporters of DeLay and other conservative republicans.
So today I took the opportunity to write DeLay’s pastor, Dr. Scott Rambo of First Baptist Church of Sugar Land, Texas, asking him to tell DeLay to resign. Here is the text of my letter:
Dear Dr. Rambo:
As you know, Tom DeLay is a member of First Baptist Church of Sugar Land. I am a Christian concerned about moral values. This November, Mr. DeLay and the Republican Party ran as the champions of moral values.
Unfortunately, Mr. DeLay has a record of unethical behavior that belies his support for moral values. Twice in the last year he has been admonished by the House Ethics Committee for his actions. A state court is set to indict Mr. DeLay for criminal behavior. Such an indictment should cost Mr. DeLay his position as Majority Leader. Yet the Republicans changed the rules to protect Mr. DeLay’s position. Now indicted criminals can hold positions of integrity in the US House.
I’m sure that you will agree with me that this is unacceptable. As Mr. DeLay’s pastor you have a special responsibility to speak out on moral values in your community. I hope you will take this opportunity to encourage Mr. DeLay to resign his position in Congress. Non-partisan reform groups have called on the Congressman to resign and he has declined.
Mr. DeLay has an opportunity to show his support for moral values by resigning his seat. I hope you will ask him to do so.
Sincerely, Chuck Currie
Don't you think Dr. Rambo and other conservative evangelical Christians should speak out on this issue? Or is the cry for moral values just a campaign slogan. You can e-mail Dr. Rambo and ask him yourself by clicking here.
Update: On December 16th, I got this response from Dr. Rambo:
Dear Chuck,
I will have to admit that your website seems to be fairly effective. Within days of your article, I received several emails calling on me to speak with Tom DeLay. Most of the emails were copies of your email—some were a bit more personal. Having stated this, I must inform you that I am not Tom’s pastor. While I was quite fascinated with your ability to crank out emails, you should know that they are being sent to the wrong person. Tom has not been a member of my church for almost three years. He and his wife joined a church further into Houston which is public record. I still have a relationship with Tom and I believe in him because of the time I have spent with him, but we have not talked about these allegations. I am asking, strictly on a personal note, if you would inform your readers of this error so that my email would no longer be filled with their complaints and criticisms. I appreciate your attention in this matter.
Sincerely, Scott Rambo
Dr. Rambo may no longer be Mr. DeLay's pastor but he remains a public supporter in his role as a Southern Baptist minister. This is what I wrote back to him.
Scott, I will make the correction.
I regret that anyone sent e-mails that "were a bit more personal." You would be amazed at the amount of e-mails I get from Southern Baptists and other evangelicals that are simply angry personal attacks. It is disheartening. I hope you found the tone of my letter more respectful.
You have been, however, very publicly identified with Mr. DeLay. As his pastor (now former), you have lent him public support. I hope you take the opportunity to speak with him about these issues.
Those who claim to speak for "moral values" need to be held accountable when their actions prove to be unethical.
As a well respected Christian minister and friend to Mr. DeLay, you have a responsibility to bring these errors to his attention. If you are unwilling to raise these issues who will?
Best wishes, Chuck Currie
I hope that Dr. Rambo shares all your e-mails with Mr. DeLay. Our point has been made and I think it is fair to honor Dr. Rambo's request that no further e-mails be sent.
