This year’s Presidential Election process has become
perhaps one of the most ugly in recent history.
We have a nation divided between 3 camps…those who love our Democratic
candidate and hate the Republican candidate, those who love the Republican
candidate and hate the Democratic candidate, and those who can’t stomach voting
for either one… and there is a large contingent of voters in each camp.
This election cycle has brought out very passionate
and polarizing rhetoric, and emotions the depths of which are hard to recall in
the other Presidential Election years.
And while that could otherwise be a good thing, the vitriol, hatred,
falsehoods, lies and venom spewing in this election year have turned this
process into a virtual circus. I’ve seen
Facebook comments that civilized people should never utter… because of their political views… and
these have been directed at people who otherwise would call each other friends. I have read stories of whole families being torn apart because of the sides being chosen
in this fiasco of politics.
I am concerned for the sanity of our nation as we
march toward Nov. 8.
No matter where YOU fall in your political beliefs,
it is IMPERATIVE that you act as Christ would have you do…. Because that is
what separates you, a child of God, from the World that Evil seeks to
rule. Yes, vote your conscience and let your vote
speak your mind. But you do NOT have
the right to tear other people down for what they choose to do with their vote. You are CALLED to speak out against hurtful
words, and violence that some people seem poised to mete out because of a
difference in opinion. You are called to
BE LOVE.
While the outcome matters, in truth, the “system”
will right itself in time. What you do and say to others between now
and Nov 8, and in the days and weeks following, will have more direct impact on
your family, friends and neighbors than your vote on Nov 8.
Were you kind?
Were you respectful of the views of others? Did you show love to your neighbor even
though he was going to vote for the other candidate? Did you speak up to try to calm the situation
when others take the hate too far. Let’s
show the world that in the face of turmoil and dissent, we still love each
other. That will make us the greatest nation in the world…where the
rights that so many have fought and died to preserve can be exhibited in peace…
the right to freedom of speech, the right to vote, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to
worship as we please. It is a great
pride of American democracy that we can peaceably change government leaders
every four years without massive public unrest.
Let’s keep it up. BE LOVE