It’s often said that politics
and religion are two topics best left alone.
In the Deep South, few things are more beloved or hotly contested than
religion, politics, and football. In
fact, football IS a religion to some with politics a close runner up.
But here's my suggestion.
Support your candidate without attacking the character of the other person
running for office. Cheer for your favorite team without trash-talking the
competition. Promote your political
party or personal beliefs without degrading those of others.
After perhaps the most
contentious campaign in U. S. history, the presidential election is just days
away. I wonder how many others are weary
of the name calling, mud-slinging, and back stabbing that modern politics have
become? Attack ads, rude interruptions, distortions and outright lies are commonplace
in the race for President of the United States, the most powerful and one of
the most distinguished positions in the world.
Politics in our nation have
devolved to the lowest form of competition. Rather than running on a record or
promoting new ideas and plans, candidates at all levels employ negative ads and
character assassination to win elections. At a time when our nation needs true
leadership that is selfless and positive, political rhetoric has reached an all-time
low. But the trash talk doesn't end with politics.
Sports fans are not content to
simply cheer for their team. Allegiance to a particular school or team has also
sunk to new depths as fans try to boost their team's credibility by verbally
destroying the competition. Those who do
this feel the need to tear down their competitors in an effort to elevate
themselves. This negativity often leads to ugly confrontations, mean spirited
accusations, and downright hatefulness.
There are those who employ this
same tactic to promote their team, personal ideas, religious beliefs, political
views, or other agendas. But behaving like a school yard bully should not be
accepted or glorified, whether it's in the political arena, a football stadium,
or through social media. Attacking and belittling the beliefs and allegiances
of others just because they differ from your own is social bullying. It is alive and well in our country and is
one of the most insidious forms of persecution and discrimination. The attidtude seems to be: If you don't agree with me, you must be ______. (Fill in the blank.)
All this makes me wonder… what
would Jesus do if He were here today? Somehow I don’t think he would be trash-
talking the opposing team. I don’t believe he would humiliate or demean those
who supported a different candidate for public office. Jesus convicted his
detractors without stooping to petty name-calling.
So here’s a little test. As you
read the following questions, mentally fill in the blanks. Your answers should
reveal something about your attitude.
1.) What is your favorite sports team?
____________. Who is their biggest rival?___________. What word would you use
to describe the rival team? ___________.
2.) I support ___________ for President of the
U. S. When I think of the other candidate, the word(s) that come to mind are
_____________________________________________.
I challenge all of us to dial
down the rhetoric, cool the smack talk, and take a deep breath before posting
that snide comment or making a sarcastic comeback. Support your candidate,
cheer for your team - just don't do it at the expense of another.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians
4:8
