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John McCain wants me to be concerned that Obama has been associated with William Ayers of Chicago. Obama’s forces want me to be concerned about McCain’s close relationship with Charles Keating. Both sides claim that associating with such men is a matter of poor judgment. That it is a matter of judgment is very true, but what sort of judgment are we discussing? Was it that they did not have all “associates” investigated, or is it that they accepted the people without judging them? I am concerned about this situation for several reasons.

First, I have been associated with a lot of people in my life. I was affiliated with and worked with hundreds of people when I taught at various universities. For example, at the University of Central Arkansas I sponsored Omega Psi Phi fraternity without asking for background checks for each member. I did not stay in close contact with those men and have no idea whether any of them were ever in trouble with the law. Accordingly, I and anyone else who worked at a university, should never enter politics as we are very vulnerable to such attacks.

Second, in our legal system a person is innocent until proven guilty. William Ayers admits he was a member of the “weathermen” group in the nineteen sixties. The weathermen as a group claimed responsibility for bombings in several federal buildings. Some of the group were found guilty of those crimes and sent to prison. William Ayers was never convicted of anything. Seems to me that I have a choice to either not judge Ayers or to reject our concept of innocent until proven guilty.

Third, in my faith I am told to forgive. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus suggests that I always forgive no matter how many times I am injured. So I have a choice to either revise my image of someone like Ayers who may have sinned, or to reject the teaching of Jesus on this matter.

Fourth, is it possible for people to sin, be redeemed, and amend their life? Jesus said that He came to redeem and to forgives us our sins.  So, McCain was involved with the Keating scandal and the financial crises that resulted, but he apologized and vowed to change his life.   Again, I have a choice to either revise my image of McCain, or to reject the teaching of Jesus concerning our ability to amend our lives.

Fifth, with what types of people should I associate? In my faith Jesus sets the example and is criticized for it.     Matthew 9:10-12 While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.”      Jesus is criticized, not for his words, deeds, or character, but for associating with undesirable people. How can I, as a Christian, condemn a politician for associating with people who I may not approve?   

Can I judge these candidates, not on the people they encountered in their life, but upon their character, the issues they discuss, and the philosophy they represent?  I certainly pray that I can.