I got up this morning and read an email from someone online that I respect and whose blog I really enjoy. I read it and then I read it again. I didn't have time to respond as breakfast needed to be made, but the whole time I cooked I couldn't stop thinking about that email and what it said.
You know, there are times when I just sit back and I wonder what I am doing even discussing politics in public. I don't talk politics all the time, like some, but I do cover them on occasion when the mood strikes me. It is a touchy subject, especially online and in religious circles. And, that goes for both sides.
I know that there are days that I just can't even wrap my mind around the thought processes of some people. I remember one day how I was told that I should show allegiance to George W. Bush because he was the president and God put him where he was ... because you know all government was put in place by God. I couldn't help but think, "Boy, does that mean Hitler was put in power by God too? What about Stalin?" Not that I am comparing Bush to either. I'm just saying.
Government was put in place by God and we are to pray for our leaders. No where in the Bible does it say that we are to blindly follow the government, though. We are not to commit idolatry. The government is ran by man and man is corrupt. Man sins. Man doesn't always make the right choices. Just ask any Republican who is still besmirching Bill Clinton's name. All they can do is rag on and on about his sin. Sin he asked forgiveness for. Sin he sought spiritual counseling for (because you know, Bill is a Christian too). But, goodness knows most of them think the man should have been lynched! But, let one of their own sin and they are quick to forgive ... and quick to cover it up.
Oh ... but you are supposed to support them regardless because they are Republicans. Don't even listen to all that "conservative" talk. Bill Clinton was and still is a conservative and they still went after him with both guns blazing. They still can't even give the man credit for all the good he did. No ... they say that it wasn't really him. It was the Republicans making him do them. See, Bill Clinton's sin is not that the man committed adultery (think Newt Gingrich here). Nor is his sin that he perjured himself (think all the lies that have come from the Republican side of the fence). Bill's crime was that he was a conservative and a Democrat. Don't let anyone fool you.
And, it is that kind of hypocrisy in partisan politics that turns a lot of stomachs. It makes you want to just shut up. It makes you want to just hang your hat and give up. Why argue? Especially when you are going to end up arguing with people that are more concerned with their politics than they are their souls. I mean, really. How many arguments have you come across online between Christians of different political ideals? Now, think about what they were saying to each other. Think about the name calling. Think about how hateful they came across and then tell me how "Christ-like" you found them to be.
Could you see Christ in them? Let's forget for a minute that we are told not to argue and that we are brothers and sisters in Christ ... the children of God who make up his church. Instead, let's just focus for a minute on how we are to be followers of Christ and we are to exhibit the fruits of the spirit. Now ... ask yourself this: How is that going? Are we doing as God commanded us? When others look at us--and they are looking--are they seeing Christ in us?
Or are they seeing a bunch of nitwits preening and posturing, claiming their side is right and the other is wrong? Are they seeing arrogance and pride? Are they seeing how ugly we can act? Are they seeing just how partisan we can be?
Then ask yourself what we should be doing. What would God have us do? What would God have you do? Would He have you act in such a despicable way or would He ask you why you were not doing as He commanded you? Would He have you set the example of Christ or would He have you condemn your fellow man? Even Jesus did not come to condemn the world. He came to save it and he did so by dying for our sins and giving us the greatest example anyone could ever give!
Does that mean we are to give up and just not discuss politics anymore? No. Our faith is to guide our politics ... not a political party. I can no more vote against my conscience than the next man ... but what is my conscience supposed to be telling me? Is it telling me to go with the party line or to do as Jesus would do? Would Jesus approve of gay marriage? No, he wouldn't. His Father created marriage and He said it was between one man and one woman. Would Jesus approve of abortion? No. But, He would show compassion. He would want to know why these women feel it is their only choice. He would want to help them, not condemn them. Would Jesus want the poor to have to beg at the church door with so many in the church selfishly hoarding their money and refusing to tithe, let alone help those who are in need? No. He wouldn't.
Would Jesus expect me to be silent on any of these issues or what the governing powers are doing? No. He wouldn't. But, He would expect me to behave according to His teachings and He would expect me to speak up. He would not expect me to argue and fight, but He would expect me to assert my voice. Will it always be easy? No. Not with some of the brothers and sisters I have. Some can be downright nasty. But, that doesn't mean I have to get nasty with them.
My tag-line is: Politics. Religion. Life. Carrying My Cross As I Go. It came to me one day and I took it as a heavenly inspiration. You see, carrying our crosses is not always easy. Not in life. Not in religion ... even amongst our own at times. Especially not when it comes to politics. Carrying our cross can be a heavy burden at times, but it is still what we are called to do.
So, to my friend who sent me that email this morning ... I understand. It gets hard and sometimes you just think it is not worth it. But, if you silence your voice ... who will say what it is in you to say? How many more voices will be silenced? How many more will think, "well, if he couldn't hack it then how can I?" Who will step up and spread the message that you felt compelled at one time to voice? There has to be a balance and right now ... things are so unbalanced and out of control that it is not even funny. Who can fill your shoes, should you leave them at the door, and help balance the rhetoric with love and truth?
