On Second Thought...

A couple of weeks ago, I published a blog called "A Matter of Integrity." In it, I suggested that undecided voters should take the time to check out all of this year's presidential candidates, including the marginal, third-party candidates. Well, I've followed my own advice, and discovered that the lesser-known candidates seem to be just as flaky as the two main party candidates.

Have I mentioned how frustrated I am with this year's presidential choices?

I've been comparing this election with previous elections, and I've come up with the not-so-novel opinion that the main difference this year is the negative, and often exaggerated, media coverage of every candidate. Recently, a friend of mine wondered aloud why any decent person would ever consider running for president, knowing that the media would rake up every little mistake he or she has ever made or, if mistakes were hard to find, would fabricate the "news" needed to attract readers/listeners.

This year, the news media has issued such flamboyant claims about each candidate that we don't have a clue about the truth. Years ago, this type of media coverage was referred to as "yellow journalism," which is defined as "journalism that is based upon sensationalism and crude exaggeration." Wikipedia calls yellow journalism "a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering, or sensationalism."

Yes, this year's election seems to be defined by yellow journalism.

The truth is simple: everyone makes mistakes, because everyone sins. Unfortunately, there is no perfect candidate. There will never be a perfect candidate, because perfect people simply don't exist.

In past years, though, we didn't usually feel like we were forced to choose between two or more evils, because the candidates actually campaigned by sharing their visions for this country, and promoting their own, and their parties', values, instead of expending most of their energy trying to convince us that their opponents were way too corrupt to be president.

This year, the news media, and the candidates themselves, have made sure that we know "all the dirt that's fit to print" about all opposing candidates, even when the "dirt" is grossly exaggerated or even mostly fabricated. Since it has become nearly impossible for principled voters to separate truth from fiction, we find ourselves at a loss. Now, less than two weeks before the national election, many of us are still undecided, dissatisfied voters.

As I've considered this dilemma, two Bible references have come to mind.

Romans 13:1-5 states:  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Admittedly, this reference can be somewhat hard for us to understand and accept, because we don't like to think that obviously inept, or corrupt, or morally deficient authority figures deserve our respect. Even when we know they have been placed in their positions by God, we hesitate to trust them to lead us. And we are often totally unwilling to pray for them.

But, 1 Timothy 2:1-4. says: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

Based upon this Bible verse, I think that we should be thanking God for the candidates who have been courageous enough to run for president, knowing that their reputations will undoubtedly suffer. Perhaps we should be asking God to guide our presidential candidates to speak truthfully and to clearly explain their positions on the issues. We can pray for their health and safety as they complete these arduous months of campaigning, and we can ask God to lead them to know him, and to know the truth. And we should pray that God will guide each of us as we cast our votes for the next president of our country.

I still don't know who I will be voting for on November 8th, so I guess I will be spending a lot of time in prayer between now and then. But, no matter who wins this presidential election, I take comfort in knowing that God is still ultimately in charge. Because, even when our nation's leaders seem to be lacking in common sense and strong moral values, God will always be trustworthy.