disclaimer:
politics and religion (faith) are two things that in the past were major no-no’s to discuss in public. i’m on a journey to understand them both, and am sharing some thoughts from my journey so far. this is MY journey, and MY thoughts alone. it does not represent anyone or anything else.
why i believe in politics:
simply put, i don’t believe as an american citizen i have a choice. it is not only my privilege as an american citizen to be a part of the political process, it’s my duty and responsibility. our founding fathers, our armed services, and so many others gave their lives, and sacrificed so much so that i could be a part of this process — as broken as it might be. the absolute LEAST i can do to repay that is be a part of the process.
now sure, this doesn’t mean you have to go head long into it, but i CANNOT get behind the thinking that “all politics and politicians are jacked up so why bother.” if my parents subscribed to that line of thinking about the way i lived my life, i would have never came to know christ. i believe you forfeit your right to complain about anything in this country if you don’t at the very least vote, and do so in an informed way. living your life with your head in the sand because “it’s scary out there” is no way to live.
why do i get into politics? because i believe in the best in people. and crazy as it sounds, this includes politicians. i believe our country is jacked up right now, and i believe there is no way to make it better without engaging in the political process on some level. these are YOUR representatives. they speak for you, whether you like it or not. before all you christians get on me with “it’s the churches job to save the country!!!!” let me tell you that while i believe christians should play a part in the process, that i strongly believe in the fact that this is a nation filled with muslims, atheists, mormons, jw’s, scientologists, and christians. and frankly, the church sure hasn’t shown up to the plate yet on a good plan to end abortion, feed the poor, provide healthcare, or anything else that we should be doing.
how i balance it with being a christian:
jesus comes first. period.
i can sum up my beliefs very simply…
love others as yourself, and i believe jesus’ words that “whatever you do for the least of these, you do to me.”
3 Comments
Nicely written Josh. You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself through writing.
thanks val!
I am generally not a cynic, but politics can get me going. You know that :)
But I agree with you here.
The participation thing is huge to me. I think their should be a crap load less government involvement in everyday life. Their is too much government. Too much money spent. Too much reliance. but we have no one to blame but oursleves. The church should not be upset when the government is taking money for universal health care and abortion research if they have done nothing to care for those in need. Because we, the church, have not done it, someone else is.
I believe our involvement in politics can place the “will of the people” back with the people and an elected official can once again be the voice of the many. Not the voice of the agenda and platform.