Election Rhetoric Is Ungodly
The election is finally over! My hope is now that the insulting posts on Facebook will cease just as the political ads will. I don’t think I posted a single political cartoon or joke on Facebook during this election season, and I was very disheartened by how many of my friends did, on both sides of the aisle. Here are just two representative posts shared by some of my Facebook friends yesterday:
As I was reading my Bible this morning before my prayer time, I came across this verse in which Paul is instructing the church in Ephesus how they should conduct themselves: “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” Ephesians 5:4 (NIV). Unfortunately, this has not been heeded this election season (and it’s been a long season!).
The type of coarse joking and foolish talk represented by these two posts is not Godly and it is not helpful for those who post or those who read. This type of rhetoric serves only to divide and belittle. It reduces serious issues to often inaccurate sound bites. Republicans, as a general rule, are not in favor of rape because they are pro-life; Democrats, as a general rule, are not unemployed freeloaders. But those are the messages these posts send and I personally find them incredibly insulting.
My hope and prayer is that going forward we can set aside the extreme rhetoric and work towards the common goals of freedom and justice that this country was founded on. My saving grace is that in spite of it all Jesus is still my King.
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Thank you, Linda . .. for always helping us stay focused on God and living for Him! God bless you!
Linda,
I haven’t been reading much and writing none lately, school has been a heavy load, but I couldn’t help but read this when I saw the title and I am really glad I did. You hit the nail directly on the head with this one, and said what I, and probably many others long to say. I am sooooo tired of hearing people at work discuss politics at work, and although I seldom make it to Facebook anymore, I get sick of reading only politics related posts. I realize this election, like every one before it was a very important one, but can we please just move on now? Can we remove all the campaign signs, get past the post election talk and just get back to what is really important, the business of living life. Let’s savor the next 3 years until this cycle begins again and once again folks begin to see one another not as people, souls, or children of God but rather only in shades of red or blue.
Thank you Linda for saying what many of us probably feel, I know I do. God bless
Jim
Jim, Thanks for the encouragement. A couple of months ago I was wishing for a “Hide Political Posts” button on Facebook, but there wasn’t one. I think I finally just couldn’t take it anymore. I hope now we can all move forward with what is important. I hope school is going well for you. I miss your stories, though I don’t seem to find as much time to read blogs as I would like anymore anyway. Peace, Linda
Amen!
Linda
Another friend posted this and thought you would appreciate it…
http://www.timharlow.com/my_weblog/2012/11/the-day-after.html
Blessings
April, That was a great post! Thanks for sharing it. Peace, Linda
You are welcome! Have a great day!
Linda,
I could not agree with you more! Each day I post a random thought as a status update…Today this was my update:
April’s Random Thought…(I don’t usually speak on political issues but…..okay, the people have spoken. Our leadership has been chosen. Instead of bashing and hating, we need to pray for our leadership, know that we serve a sovereign God and He is in control of ALL things. Here is what a friend shared on his status regarding this very issue: “I am very saddened this morning by the hatred coming from the fingertips of people I know and respect. Please calm down people – you are angry because you put your faith in man. Man will always disappoint. Put your faith in God and ………. breathe……………………………” I have to agree with him. I see people professing they are Christian, posting scriptures and some very good things about living a Christian life but then I see the same people posting bashing and hate status updates-sad. Instead of bashing and posting such post, fall to your knees and pray for our leadership and as Rodney said put your faith in God. just sayin’
The best thing we can do is pray! The ugliness and bitterness only fuels a fire that does not need to be burning. If a person is going to start a fire let it be the fire of the Holy Spirit of love and encouragement.
Blessings to you today!
April
April, I love your status update! Thanks for sharing it here. It is true that man will always disappoint and so we must put our trust in Jesus, our one true King and pray for the men and women who are in positions of power and great responsibility. Peace, Linda