I know that statement is a generalization. I know two or three Christians who have an informed, intelligent, graceful approach to politics. But, for the most part Christians and elections irritate me.
People are well-intended. I really think they are.
But it seems at election time Christians take up special license to...
- slander others
- invoke fear
- bottom-line issues without entering meaningful dialog
Much of this seems to be done based on hyperbole, worst case scenarios, and hot button issues. Most of it is thrown around in conversation, emails and blogs based on "research" consisting of someone else's poorly researched email forward, hate-filled blog posts and uninformed web articles. Christians enter the political spotlight with fictional time-warp letters of what is to come; they go on TV believing they're the only ones with family values; they attempt to trump with their Democrat or Republic card as though Christians can only be one or the other.
I'm tired of Christians behaving as though politics has a savior. I'm saddened when they pretend their view on a few "key" issues defines their spirituality. I'm angered that we alienate each other and a society of people who desperately need to know they matter to God.
- Every candidate matters to God.
- Every nameless person pegged and targeted by the "key" issues matters to God.
- Every person labeled conservative or liberal matters to God.
- Every voter. Every American. Every inhabitant of the planet matters to God.
That message gets shadowed, even lost, when we make a party the "right" party; when we label people based on voters' guides; when we boil the Kingdom agenda down to only a few things we call "critical."
Here are some other thoughts while I'm making my single political post:
- Have an opinion. But be well-informed. Many people who debate abortion, gay issues, war, even the economy draw quick conclusions with little listening. We tend to not finish the conversation. We confuse methods with outcomes and often miss the life/God-honoring outcome we could achieve if we really entered the complex dialog. Then, have an opinion.
- Be respectful. There's no room for slander. Just because you don't know McCain or Obama personally doesn't give you license to talk or write about them with hate or false witness (that's a top 10 commandment).
- Go vote. Regardless who you vote for - vote. Do so by reading blogs, books, articles that you would not normally read because you suspect you disagree. Read widely. Pray constantly.
- After Tuesday, November 4 - shut-up. Shut down any complaints, slander, fear-stirring. Pray. Pray for our new president and our new vice president. Pray for the men and women of congress. Pray for local, state and federal leaders.
- Then put all your convictions about "key" issues that have anything to do with the Kingdom into personal practice. Love God and love others well. Deeply. Value life and people the way God does - in your speech, your service, your time, your resources, your heart.
I'm praying God will give me courage and clarity to practice what I'm preaching.
