These Ads Are Driving Me Crazy!!
Well, we have almost reached the end of another election cycle. It can't end soon enough for me!
We celebrate the opportunity to elect those who will represent us. Yet, in that process we seem to honor values which represent something considerably less than we would accept in our personal lives. Why is it that 9 out of 10 political advertisements are negative; ads which don't highlight the positive aspects of one candidate but, rather, attempt to degrade and attack the opponent?
Why? Because those advertisements work. As the professionals say, those types of ads "move numbers". They make an impact. If that is true, what is it within our nature that responds to such negativity? Are we so insecure in ourselves that we need to beat up on "the other guy" in order to reassure ourselves of our own place in the world?
I won't venture any further down that path because I am not qualified as a psychologist to make those assessments. But I will say this. These types of attacks further divide a community and nation. These attack ads perpetuate a feeling that we live in a world where it is "us against them" and "they" must be defeated at all costs.
How can we expect to live in community when these (and many other cultural forces) place wedges of division between us. Jesus calls each of us to unity and reconciliation. Jesus does not call upon us to divide and separate.
So, what can we do about it? In these next ten days, when you see a negative political advertisement on your television; turn down the volume, be still, and pray.
Pray that God's kingdom advances to a point where we do not feel compelled to attack our neighbor to make ourselves feel better. Pray for peace and reconciliation in the face of division and separation. Pray for unity with those with whom we disagree. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open our hearts that Jesus might enter.
We need to start somewhere. We start with ourselves. Take a stand. Take a stand against division and for unity. Jesus is counting on us!
In Christ,
Pastor Pete
