Jon Stewart and Mike Huckabee on Abortion

Dear SisterMarie,
With respect to your par. 2, I think ministers are called upon to make compromises every day and do so out of love for their congregants. In my mind, that's what Jesus would do and did. If he didn't compromise, he wouldn't have taken Peter back -- or any of us.
Your paragraph 3 misses the point. Huckabee and Stewart talked briefly about the issue of men controlling women, so Joe is addressing what he thinks is Huckabee's position. In doing so, you and he miss the point of the author of this piece. Both Huckabee or Stewart avoided the cliched responses like Joe's.
My problem with your paragraph 4 is it ignores Joe's categorization of Huckabee based upon which denomination he belongs to. As a former SBC Baptist, I can say that not all SBC Baptists agree with the SBC position on women preachers, so Joe should not jump too quickly to his conclusion regarding Huckabee, even though the SBC as an organization is opposed to women preachers. Moreover, it is a gross exaggeration to suggest that the SBC position on women preachers means that Huckabee or any other Baptist would suggest that women "should have minority status in public life."

Agreed. Joe's comment is embarrassing. I'm embarrassed for him and for all certified public school teachers out there.

Mscynthia-- Why so dismissive? No, men can't carry children in the womb but they do participate in their creation, and (ideally at least) in their growth in "wisdom and age and grace." And I'd sure rather they be trying to understand what they cannot do than have them dismiss it as unimportant or make judgments about it without even an attempt at understanding. I don't think that the discussion on abortion in this country would be improved by excluding all men from it. Our female ability to nourish and sustain life within our bodies does not make us wiser or better people all by itself. It may give us a different perspective and I believe that perspective is important, but our perspective alone is not all that is important.

I thought the discussion was refreshing in the humility of both gentlemen and I think that credit ought to be given them where it is due. I hope to see many more discussions between many more men and women on this issue and I pray that they are all conducted with such grace and forbearance.

For one, I was impressed by the discussion between Stewert and Huckabee. Let me ask a question. What would those who seek to outlaw abortions like the world to look like after this change had taken place? Merely changing the laws will not solve the problem. Beyond preventing pregnancies, what would make it better for women to have their babies and raise them, or give them to another family if they can not? Where can we jump past the "legal" question, and make real progress toward good options for women so they don't feel the need to have an abortion? I think this is where common ground can be found.

For those who might not remember Governor Huckabee's comments in defense of flying the confederate flag in South Carolina, here is what he said:

"You don't like people from outside the state coming in and telling you what to do with your flag. In fact, if somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell 'em what to do with the pole; that's what we'd do."

Some Baptist preacher.

My added (sort of off topic comments) were related to Mr. Huckabee himself.

Jon Stewart is a Jew by inheritance; but, he doesn't speak like a person who ought to be a Jew in the spiritual sense.

About all the "interview" accomplished is that the expression "we can agree to disagree."

The Southern Baptist Convention (the denominational name) keeps getting more and more right-wing fundamentalist and more like Jerry Falwell's version of Baptist.

Dear SisterMarie,
With respect to your par. 2, I think ministers are called upon to make compromises every day and do so out of love for their congregants. In my mind, that's what Jesus would do and did. If he didn't compromise, he wouldn't have taken Peter back -- or any of us.
Your paragraph 3 misses the point. Huckabee and Stewart talked briefly about the issue of men controlling women, so Joe is addressing what he thinks is Huckabee's position. In doing so, you and he miss the point of the author of this piece. Both Huckabee or Stewart avoided the cliched responses like Joe's.
My problem with your paragraph 4 is it ignores Joe's categorization of Huckabee based upon which denomination he belongs to. As a former SBC Baptist, I can say that not all SBC Baptists agree with the SBC position on women preachers, so Joe should not jump too quickly to his conclusion regarding Huckabee, even though the SBC as an organization is opposed to women preachers. Moreover, it is a gross exaggeration to suggest that the SBC position on women preachers means that Huckabee or any other Baptist would suggest that women "should have minority status in public life."

Would you same the same of Rev. Jesse Jackson?

For one, I was impressed by the discussion between Stewert and Huckabee. Let me ask a question. What would those who seek to outlaw abortions like the world to look like after this change had taken place? Merely changing the laws will not solve the problem. Beyond preventing pregnancies, what would make it better for women to have their babies and raise them, or give them to another family if they can not? Where can we jump past the "legal" question, and make real progress toward good options for women so they don't feel the need to have an abortion? I think this is where common ground can be found.

That was one of the most hyppocritical things I have heard, as he fiercely criticized Massachussetts for legalizing gay marriage. Can't tell states what to do with their flags, but you sure can tell 'em what to do with their fags...I digress...However, I don't think that helps out the point of the issue at hand. There are some things that I abhor in what I've seen in Huckabee the politician, and other things that I simply find quite charming. The discussion that he had on abortion with John Stewart was one of the latter. I think that we could all learn a lesson from the approach to their conversation.

There is a scripture somewhat related to Mike Huckabee and his leaving the ministry as a pastor.

Luke 9:62 NIV - Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

The "plow" here is a metaphor for following Jesus and doing what he has called you to do. If Huckabee felt that God through the power of the Holy Spirit called him to he ministry and to be a pastor and he left it for politics, he "looked back" to do worldly things.

I saw that interview. I cannot understand why a person who is called to preach and becomes an ordained minister would want to switch to be a politician.

In my theologically educated opinion and also in my educated to be a public school teacher (and certified, too) opinion, men should stay out of trying to control women.

Of course, since Huckabee is a Southern Baptist, he probably agrees that women should have minority status in public life just like the women in the churches. The SBC is anti women preachers now.

For one, I was impressed by the discussion between Stewert and Huckabee. Let me ask a question. What would those who seek to outlaw abortions like the world to look like after this change had taken place? Merely changing the laws will not solve the problem. Beyond preventing pregnancies, what would make it better for women to have their babies and raise them, or give them to another family if they can not? Where can we jump past the "legal" question, and make real progress toward good options for women so they don't feel the need to have an abortion? I think this is where common ground can be found.

Agreed. Joe's comment is embarrassing. I'm embarrassed for him and for all certified public school teachers out there.

For those who might not remember Governor Huckabee's comments in defense of flying the confederate flag in South Carolina, here is what he said:

"You don't like people from outside the state coming in and telling you what to do with your flag. In fact, if somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell 'em what to do with the pole; that's what we'd do."

Some Baptist preacher.

With respect to SisterMarie, my beef is that neither Joe's comment, nor your comment below (about Huckabee's comments re: the flag), addresses the actual blog post. I applaud both Hucakabee and Stewart for having a civil debate about an issue that is often the cause of serious conflict, even among friends. I agree with Jim that the interview is excellent proof that we can discuss difficult issues with respect and decency.

To completely ignore the point of the post, and of the interview itself - preferring to attack Huckabee for unrelated reasons - does nothing to improve the debate. Instead, it divides yet again.

I do not agree with many of Huckabee's positions, but I will certainly give him credit for this interview, and for his civility. I think others, the two of you included, could learn something from Huckabee's demeanor that night. Stay on point; stay civil; show respect for the opinions of others, even while disagreeing.