Last week I received (among the litany of junk mail that I normally get) a colorful advertisement inviting me to place the weight of my vote behind Mike DeWine and Jon Husted, Republican candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor, respectively, here in my home state of Ohio. Now, while I'm a right-leaning independent, this post will not be discussing the merits of any particular candidate or party. I'd like to explore why we vote the way we do.
As I perused the tri-fold flyer, three thoughts went through my head. Firstly, I thought, "Is it really that time of year again?" I'm beginning to think it's always that time of year! Secondly, I couldn't help but to notice that the ad was printed on some incredibly-thick cardstock. It was a really impressive piece of third-class mail! The campaign donations must've been flowing in for Mr. DeWine this year.
Finally, I was struck by the audacity of the claim on the front of the ad. The tagline, carefully crafted to compel my vote, was (and I quote), "The Road to Peace of Mind Starts Here." Those words purport a campaign based on confidence, but they really demonstrate a campaign based on fear.
Fear.
What a powerful tool, no, weapon, fear is! Fear is universal. Fear is one of those absolutes that unite us as the human race. Fear has been used in all cultures and eras for self-serving ends as aggressors have employed it to dominate their fellow men. Leaders, both religious and civil, have relied upon fear to ensure the submission of those under them. Fear is the key to oppression.
Everybody is afraid of something. We're afraid of crime. We're afraid of losing our families and our jobs. We're afraid of bad weather and moral decline. We're afraid of the unknown. We're afraid that the way life is will someday no longer be the way life is. We're afraid of living in fear. We're afraid of death.
Fear is limitless. Fear is king. Fear is, for many people, god.
Politics are such a fertile breeding ground for fear because our civil leaders influence so much of our lives--our family life, religion, employment, entertainment, etc. The more control they have, the more fear they wield. It is no surprise, then, that fear has been a major part of American politics for the entirety of our existence as a nation. Why should the 2018 election be any different? What better way to win votes than to assuage fears? It's an ancient strategy--convince constituents that there are reasons to fear the other candidate's regime, while you, on the other hand, are the answer to all their problems.
In one sense, fear is rational. If you're walking down the street and see criminal activity occurring, it only makes sense to increase your pace. It's practical to be concerned that your children will have a decent community in which to raise your grandchildren.
Fear is eminently useful. Fear of a speeding ticket keeps me from going too fast on the road. Fear of retribution constrains criminals, while fear of obesity convinces gluttons to put down that third donut (I've been there, bro). Fear is one of many important human emotions and, for the atheist or the agnostic, fear is vital for self-preservation. When the nonchristian casts his vote, fear is his best friend.
The Christian, however, has a unique relationship towards fear. John tells us that perfect love casts out fear, but Solomon tells us that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. How can these two coexist? Being a Christian doesn't necessarily mean that all fear is removed, but it does mean that our fear is redirected. We fear for ours souls, not for our lives. We fear displeasing our God, not losing our position as His children. We fear straying from God's path, not the constraints thereof.
The Christian, then, should never vote out of fear. We shouldn't be Christians at church and atheists at the polls! I believe we should vote from principle and let God deal with the rest. I can understand other perspectives, but, when people castigated me for refusing to vote for Donald Trump, it was clear that fear was their primary motivator.
The Christian's peace of mind should be a direct result of his belief and trust in God, not the circumstances of his life or society. The knowledge that God is in control should dictate the decisions that we make. Our faith is not perfect in this life, but as we grow in our faith and become more Christlike, we will rest in our Father more and more until we receive that transcendent peace that only He can provide. This peace should pervade our lives, extending even to our political choices.
Will I vote for Mike DeWine and Jon Husted? I don't know--probably; but it will not be because doing so brings me peace of mind. After all, no political campaign should bring the Christian peace of mind.
As I perused the tri-fold flyer, three thoughts went through my head. Firstly, I thought, "Is it really that time of year again?" I'm beginning to think it's always that time of year! Secondly, I couldn't help but to notice that the ad was printed on some incredibly-thick cardstock. It was a really impressive piece of third-class mail! The campaign donations must've been flowing in for Mr. DeWine this year.
Finally, I was struck by the audacity of the claim on the front of the ad. The tagline, carefully crafted to compel my vote, was (and I quote), "The Road to Peace of Mind Starts Here." Those words purport a campaign based on confidence, but they really demonstrate a campaign based on fear.
Fear.
What a powerful tool, no, weapon, fear is! Fear is universal. Fear is one of those absolutes that unite us as the human race. Fear has been used in all cultures and eras for self-serving ends as aggressors have employed it to dominate their fellow men. Leaders, both religious and civil, have relied upon fear to ensure the submission of those under them. Fear is the key to oppression.
Everybody is afraid of something. We're afraid of crime. We're afraid of losing our families and our jobs. We're afraid of bad weather and moral decline. We're afraid of the unknown. We're afraid that the way life is will someday no longer be the way life is. We're afraid of living in fear. We're afraid of death.
Fear is limitless. Fear is king. Fear is, for many people, god.
Politics are such a fertile breeding ground for fear because our civil leaders influence so much of our lives--our family life, religion, employment, entertainment, etc. The more control they have, the more fear they wield. It is no surprise, then, that fear has been a major part of American politics for the entirety of our existence as a nation. Why should the 2018 election be any different? What better way to win votes than to assuage fears? It's an ancient strategy--convince constituents that there are reasons to fear the other candidate's regime, while you, on the other hand, are the answer to all their problems.
In one sense, fear is rational. If you're walking down the street and see criminal activity occurring, it only makes sense to increase your pace. It's practical to be concerned that your children will have a decent community in which to raise your grandchildren.
Fear is eminently useful. Fear of a speeding ticket keeps me from going too fast on the road. Fear of retribution constrains criminals, while fear of obesity convinces gluttons to put down that third donut (I've been there, bro). Fear is one of many important human emotions and, for the atheist or the agnostic, fear is vital for self-preservation. When the nonchristian casts his vote, fear is his best friend.
The Christian, however, has a unique relationship towards fear. John tells us that perfect love casts out fear, but Solomon tells us that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. How can these two coexist? Being a Christian doesn't necessarily mean that all fear is removed, but it does mean that our fear is redirected. We fear for ours souls, not for our lives. We fear displeasing our God, not losing our position as His children. We fear straying from God's path, not the constraints thereof.
The Christian, then, should never vote out of fear. We shouldn't be Christians at church and atheists at the polls! I believe we should vote from principle and let God deal with the rest. I can understand other perspectives, but, when people castigated me for refusing to vote for Donald Trump, it was clear that fear was their primary motivator.
The Christian's peace of mind should be a direct result of his belief and trust in God, not the circumstances of his life or society. The knowledge that God is in control should dictate the decisions that we make. Our faith is not perfect in this life, but as we grow in our faith and become more Christlike, we will rest in our Father more and more until we receive that transcendent peace that only He can provide. This peace should pervade our lives, extending even to our political choices.
Will I vote for Mike DeWine and Jon Husted? I don't know--probably; but it will not be because doing so brings me peace of mind. After all, no political campaign should bring the Christian peace of mind.
Comments
Post a Comment