Election Day Reflection
Well, it's Election Day and I didn't vote. I wish it was for some reason other than I simply didn't have time to run home to my voting precinct, but alas I didn't. I am really upset with myself that I didn't vote, because voting is the one civic duty I can actually fulfill (like I'll ever serve in the military or get chosen for jury duty as a pastor). Democratic elections should make me proud to be an American, but with the way American politics have been going the past couple of years I kind of wish I was a citizen of another country. I'm a little tired of all of the horse crap that has been flying back and forth between the GOP, Democrats, Tea Party, Libertarians, and whatever third party that doesn't really count. We should stop blaming "the other side" for the current economic situation, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, crazy health care costs, inadequate education system, high crime rate, illegal immigration, and whatever other social issue that raises your blood pressure and just put our nose to the grind stone an fix it. Okay, I'll get off of my soapbox now.
I really do enjoy politics. The West Wing is my favorite tv show, and I have always held the secret ambition of someday working in the White House. Just short of the President of the United States needing a full-time personal chaplain, I don't think that will ever happen. This election season has been full of politics vs. religion conflicts. Christine O'Donnell alone satisfies my hunger for a good debate about the role of religion in government. However, the thing I have been most frustrated with is how people identify themselves as "liberal Christian" or "conservative Christian." I think the labels of liberal and conservative are empty ones. The Church is already divided over many issues, why are we so quick to throw these labels on top of that? If you say you're a Christian, identify yourself as that first and foremost. Later if you want to say you're a republican or democrat that's fine. Wave your political affiliation proudly, but don't lump your political identity with your religious faith and assume they will go together. Chances are your brand of American politics won't fit perfectly with what Jesus calls us to do.
I really do enjoy politics. The West Wing is my favorite tv show, and I have always held the secret ambition of someday working in the White House. Just short of the President of the United States needing a full-time personal chaplain, I don't think that will ever happen. This election season has been full of politics vs. religion conflicts. Christine O'Donnell alone satisfies my hunger for a good debate about the role of religion in government. However, the thing I have been most frustrated with is how people identify themselves as "liberal Christian" or "conservative Christian." I think the labels of liberal and conservative are empty ones. The Church is already divided over many issues, why are we so quick to throw these labels on top of that? If you say you're a Christian, identify yourself as that first and foremost. Later if you want to say you're a republican or democrat that's fine. Wave your political affiliation proudly, but don't lump your political identity with your religious faith and assume they will go together. Chances are your brand of American politics won't fit perfectly with what Jesus calls us to do.
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