Election Day – How Will You Respond Today and Tomorrow?

 

Today is Election Day.  I already voted.  It’s the first time I’ve used the absentee ballot method to cast my vote.  I won’t tell you who I voted for, and I’d rather not know who  received your vote.  In fact, I try to keep The Stretched Blog out of the political scene.

So why am I writing about politics then?  Good question.  I still think we have a responsibility to be involved and to be respectful.  A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a guest post for TC Avey’s blog, Wisdom of a Fool.  I wanted to share the introduction to the post with the hope that you’ll head over there to read my thoughts on how to be a politically active Christian.

I’ve always had an interest in politics.  We are so blessed to live in a country where we can take part in the selection process for our local, state, and national leaders.  Voting is a right, a privilege and a responsibility.

Free speech is also one of the rights that we have in this country.  Free speech gives us permission to defend our position on an issue or on a candidate.  I’m thankful for this right.  But I sometimes wonder if this right has gotten our country into trouble.

With the creation and rise of social media, everyone has a say.  People’s thoughts and opinions are out there for everyone to read.  Once it’s on Facebook or Twitter or once it’s published on a blog, it’s a permanent record for all to read.  And it seems like everyone has something to say.

Maybe I’m forgetful of past election cycles, but it seems to be that more and more people are posting personal character attacks on Facebook and other social media outlets.  Photo-shopped photos of candidates with disrespectful comments dominate my Facebook news feed.  To be honest with you, it’s wearing me out.  I wasn’t comfortable when friends and family attacked former president George W. Bush, and I’m not comfortable with the attacks on current president Barack Obama.

Head over to Wisdom of a Fool to read the rest of the post.  Then come back and answer this question:

What other suggestions do you have for Christians to participate responsibly and respectfully in the political process?  Are you being respectful or are you adding to the clutter?  How will you respond TODAY and TOMORROW?