Exercising Free Speech

I consider myself to be an evangelical and a political conservative, but I am troubled by some of the people who, therefore, end up in the same pigeon hole with me.


We live in a country that allows us free speech, including criticism of our government and our leaders.  I appreciate this freedom.  However, I think we need to be careful about how we exercise it.  Periodically, I receive emails or links with content that makes me very ill at ease.  I am appalled by some of the mean-spirited and outright nasty pieces that are circulated about our current president.  Yes, I know the liberals served up the same kind of distasteful mess when Bush was president.  That does not mean that I, as a believer in Jesus, have a right to reciprocate.


I do not agree with all of the policies of our current elected officials.  I may not respect their opinions.  But, I believe I am obligated by scriptural mandate to respect their authority.  I believe that God moves in human history and that leaders come into power to bring about God's purposes.  Since we cannot see into the future, we are pretty much ignorant of those purposes.  What seems like a huge mistake to us may be a piece in God's puzzle.


Carrying a little bit of truth to it's most extreme interpretation happens routinely by the left in criticizing the right.  Those on the right may also enjoy doing it to the left, but it should not be my game as a Christian.  The truth should not be perverted to suit my purposes no matter how noble those purposes seem to me.


Of course, in this age of too much information, getting a handle on truth is increasingly difficult.  The multiplication of the number of people who are purporting to have the "facts" means we are less likely to get a grip on truth.  People may end up completely at odds with one another, although both have drawn logical conclusions, because they started with different sources for their "facts."


Today I am praying for our nation, for our leaders, for all of us who cast ballots in voting booths.  May God grant us wisdom, and may "His kingdom come...His will be done."