An editorial in Christianity Today (March '08 issue) carries the title, "Hating Hillary." It thoughtfully raises the issue of how Believers should engage in political discourse. After reading it, I asked myself, "Do we leave our Christian convictions behind when we discuss political matters?" Many of us do apparently. I have received many slanderous emails in recent months that repeat outright lies. These diatribes are silent about the policies of the candidates, but make outrageous assertions about them personally. You've probably seen them, too. "Obama is a radical Muslim." He's not. "Hillary is a lesbian." She's not. "Huckabee will be Pastor-in-chief." No, if elected, he will be the President. I have yet to get any hateful attack emails about McCain's personality.
Some Believers have adopted the mannerisms and words of the flame-throwing radio personalities who appear to care less about the truth than they do about inventing clever phrases and building audience loyalties. Hillary Clinton is a favorite target. According to CT, one representative of the Family Research Council (a Christian organization) distributed fortune cookies that contained the message - "#1 reason to ban human cloning - Hillary Clinton." It may be cute, but it is offensive and, more to the point, it adds nothing to our understanding of her policies. Of course it goes the other way, too. Left-learning Christian groups go far beyond attacking President Bush's policies to deriding him personally with names like "Village Idiot."
This kind of personalized politics is nothing new! Campaigns of the past were just as ugly, at times, even more so! That is one reason that Christians of a century ago, stepped aside from politics, considering it simply 'too dirty' for their involvement. That changed about 35 years ago, but tragically, often Christians fall into the mud-slinging ways instead of being a positive influence on the political scene. This ought not be true. We can be involved; yes, we must be involved in the process since we are citizens of both the Kingdom of God and the nations where we live! However, we must bring our Christianity to the process, not let it be trampled or ignored.
"While the loudest political voices this election season will keep only a loose rein on their tongues, evangelicals (Believers) do well to ponder the Bible's insights into the mysterious, yet profound, connection between a person's mouth and heart. 'The things that come out of the mouth,' says Jesus, 'come from the heart.' Which is why Paul says, 'now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.' (Colossians 3:8, NIV) . . . What's more, vitriolic language directed at political figures does not, to use the metaphor of Paul, attract others with 'the aroma of Christ.' It just creates a stench, making it more difficult to nurture relationships with those who want to meet Christ and who happen to support (a candidate you do not support.) Such talk easily slides into denigrating those on the other side of the political spectrum -- who may just be on the other side of the aisle on Sunday morning." -Christianity Today (March '08 issue)
A candidate's policies are fair game for our dissections and discussions. Believers should be knowledgeable about what a candidate proposes and what kinds of programs he wants to implement. We should take care, however, not to be swept up in hysteria. We must not allow ourselves to be taken in by fast-talking media pundits, or even by Christian leaders who allow their personal preferences about personalities of the candidates to color their political rhetoric. We are to 'speak the truth, in love,' to borrow a Biblical phrase. We do not elect a person for his or her likeability alone, or because he or she is telegenic, or even because he 'goes to a church' like the one we attend.
We are to give our vote and support to candidates who understand the basic worldview of a Christian - that God, not man, is the One to whom all are accountable, that human life is sacred from conception to old age,that seeking peace is preferred always to making war, and that justice and dignity for all is what being created in the image of God means.
When we set aside the personal attacks on political candidates, remembering that they are not just a collection of ideas, but that they are real people, too; we earn credibility for our voices. We are then able to speak effectively, be taken seriously, and raise the level of discourse out of the gutter. In this, we not only serve our nation well; we glorify the Lord who is our Eternal King. Amen.
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