Random Thoughts and Ramblings

Tag: Clinton

  • On the Election

    Lots of people want to know if the Bible has anything to say about an election. Some say that it does. I agree. So, here are some verses I would like you to keep in mind tomorrow as you go to the voting booth:

    “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NLT)

    Jesus: “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’[g] 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-30 NLT)

    “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NLT)

    These are the most important things we need to remember as we prepare to vote. I don’t have to tell you that the rhetoric that has been spread throughout the campaign has been nothing short of toxic. The nation is polarized more so than it has been in my entire life. I don’t know about you but I’m tired and am looking forward to an end to all of this garbage (although I know that regardless of who wins there will continue to be toxic speech from the other side). Frankly, we have been anything but Christlike to one another. We have not been kind. We have failed to show grace to one another and we have been judgmental of our political stances.

    No one is going to Hell for voting a certain way. One’s salvation is not demonstrated by which candidate they vote for or by which political party they align with. God is not a member of a political party. God is not on the side of one candidate over another. God is on everyone’s side. All people – be they Republican, Democrat, or whatever – are equally loved by God and are of sacred worth. No one is going to be condemned to a lake of fire because they vote for certain political parties or candidates. To suggest otherwise is not Christlike and unbiblical.

    Above all, pray. Pray that God will guide you as you cast your vote. Ask God to give you grace for your part in the election fray. And show grace to everyone, especially those with whom you do not agree.

  • The Worst Election in Memory

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    I think many of us are to this point. Credit: Reddit

    This cycle of election for federal offices, especially President, has proven to be nothing short of a disappointment. Not only do I believe that both parties have nominated what are in my opinion less than ideal candidates but the discourse among the candidates, the electorate and the media has been nothing short of embarrassing. The sophomoric jabs about the size of a candidates’s hands, their voice, and now even their illnesses – confirmed and alleged – have made me shake my head more than once. The media have sensationalized this election like – I will dare say – never seen before in the history of the United States to the point that I almost can’t stand to even watch the local news because I have grown so tired of the reality TV show that masquerades as an election campaign.

    But I suppose that beats talking non-stop about what a football player does or does not do during the national anthem.

    Just over the last few days, the two major party candidates themselves have engaged in some of the most ridiculous exchanges that I have ever heard two grown men and women participate in. As has been widely reported, Mr. Trump has made remarks about Mrs. Clinton’s health, suggesting that pneumonia somehow disqualifies her from office and also gives credence to the various conspiracy theories floating around the dark web about her having a seizure disorder or Parkinson’s disease. Perhaps Mr. Trump should brush up on his history, seeing as we have had a president who was diagnosed with polio and at least one who has vomited all over a foreign dignitary.

    Likewise, Mrs. Clinton engaged in her own shenanigans when she made remarks generalizing supports of Mr. Trump as “deplorables” and generally bigoted. While I am certainly no Trump supporter (or a Clinton supporter for that matter), I do not condone name-calling on people we do not agree with and I especially will not condone name-calling in a presidential campaign. Mrs. Clinton was way out of line in making these remarks and has likely alienated many people because of her comments.

    The electorate has been even nastier. As I can barely stand to watch the news, I also can barely stand to log in to my social media because I know I will have to endure post after post of idiotic memes, inappropriate remarks about the candidates and their supporters, and conspiracy theories that would make chem trails sound logical. I could probably wrote another 500 words or so just on these types of things.

    If it seems that I’m frustrated, that’s because I am. I realize that my words may not sound “pastoral” but understand that I am writing this diatribe as a frustrated voter who happens to a pastor. I am tired of this idiocy that poses as political discourse in the United States. We are supposedly the greatest country in the world – and I don’t doubt that we are great – but we have a strange way of acting like it. We can and should do better.

    Unfortunately, Christians have been some of the nastiest commentators. I find this very disturbing in light of the calling that all of us have as disciples of Jesus Christ. On Sunday (by the way, I will post my sermon tomorrow), I preached about how love for one’s neighbor should not have strings attached to it just as God’s love does not have strings. Likewise, we also must remember that our neighbor is every single person we come into contact with on the street or on Facebook. Read the gospels closely and you will not find one example where it is outright stated or even suggested that Jesus engaged in mean spirited name calling or condoning violence against those he disagreed with. Jesus instead instructed us that we are to love our neighbors, period, full stop.

    People who consider themselves to be followers of The Way have no logical reason for engaging in the kinds of exchanges concerning the election that we seem to see and hear everywhere. It’s quite difficult for one to be salt and light when the salt has lost its bite and the light is dimmed by contempt for those who do not agree with them. Instead of engaging in name-calling and backbiting, Christians should be examples of patience and peaceful debate, not the childish antics that we have seen over the last year or so.

    Likewise, Christians, can we please stop claiming that God has chosen a candidate or party for office? That’s not how He works. But that’s another blog for another day.