On Politics

On Politics

I was watching television tonight, I could not help but recall several Biblical passages:

Leviticus 6:2-5

If any one sin, and commit a trespass against Jehovah, and deal falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robbery, or have oppressed his neighbor, or have found that which was lost, and deal falsely therein, and swear to a lie; in any of all these things that a man doeth, sinning therein; then it shall be, if he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took by robbery, or the thing which he hath gotten by oppression, or the deposit which was committed to him, or the lost thing which he found, or any thing about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in full, and shall add the fifth part more thereto: unto him to whom it appertaineth shall he give it, in the day of his being found guilty.

Leviticus 9:11

Ye shall not steal; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another.

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

John 3:20-21

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved.

But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.

On television I watched several political advertisements. It was clear that, at least one of the candidates was lying, possibly both. I feel sorry for the constituents of the congressional district in contention. It is quite likely they will elect a liar as their Representative.

Mud slinging has become the norm in our political process and it makes me wonder how parents explain to their children why it is 'okay' for politicians to lie and slander. I wonder because there is no explanation, what politicians do is wrong.

How can we reduce the lying and mud slinging and get our political process focused on issues and self.

Then I had an idea. It is a simple solution, but an effective one. Let us make a rule; candidates will not be allowed to mention the name of their opponent in a political advertisement. Advertisements paid for by groups or parties can only mention the name of members of their group or party. Basically, a political advertisement will not be allowed to mention the name of an opponent.

Why will this work? Simple, lies, slander, and 'mud' will tend to stick to the name mentioned in the advertisement. Even if the advertisement speaks of 'my esteemed opponent' or just 'the opposition', the evil will stick to the only name spoken. Mud slinging advertisements will only hurt the candidate that airs them.

Let us try to get the evil out of our political process, maybe, just maybe, we will get a better class of candidate and better leadership.

John 8:32. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Amen