Politics

Am I really going to go there? Not really. Try as one might, the subject of politics cannot be avoided, unless you're in a cave somewhere, or like one person I know, just refuse to talk about it or learn about it at all.

I am interested in politics, in the U.S. and in Peru. After all, my family is directly affected by who is making the laws and enforcing them. On the other hand, there are days when I think ignorance is bliss and I really don't want to know the latest headline.

I have been amazed at how quickly political beliefs and opinions can tear friends and family apart. I think most groups of friends can disagree on sports teams, taste in food, how to spend money, and even important issues of the day and never have a problem discussing and even arguing about these things. Politics, on the other hand.....disagreeing with someone's views can be as harmful to a relationship as personally attacking that person's character.

I have wondered what makes people (including myself) take such offense to someone putting down the way I believe the government should be run. Whether we want it to be or not, how we view the political scene of the day and what we believe about it can be very personal and tied into who I am as a person. What I believe about the political world says a lot of what I believe about God and religion. This is where it gets sticky, I think.

Whether I am a democrat or a republican, a marxist or a socialist.....what will matter at the end of the day is what I believe about Christ and the life He offers me. May we remember this, even when we're arguing our point of view and sure we're right!

Miriam