I almost never talk politics on this blog. The reason is not because I don't care but because I have limited time to blog. Faith, family and personal challenges are always more important to me. Personally, it seems to come down to ungodliness, plain and simple. High taxes, bloated programs, race baiting, over-complicatedness, reckless spending...I am not opposed to considering that God is harshly judging this country at this time by allowing all these crazy people to ruin everything the founding fathers stood for. Another reason I don't like to talk politics is because I don't like debating. Lots of people have better tricks up their sleeve than me.I have been known to listen to my fair share of conservative talk radio though. Being that I haven't ever subscribed to cable, (and that we no longer own a tv...another story) the radio is where I get my piece of the action. The main show I have listened to is Michael Medved (conservative/ republican, former liberal, Jewish commentator on "pop culture and politics") but the past few months I have been really sucked into the Glen Beck program, largely because he's funny and also because he doesn't give republicans a free pass, that gets old, does it not?
But the more I've taken an interest in viewing the world around me from a biblical perspective, the more it's become clear that there's probably a need for pause in getting caught up in what Glenn Beck, Medved and the rest are saying. I'm not sure right now whether I need to give up my radio shows or not but I know that it can't hurt to consider some things. It seems like despite their differences these guys all seem to have in common the idea that faith is as good as what it helps you to do in life...and I'm quite sure that's not what Jesus taught.
The commentators who seem to say what we're thinking often appeal to our flesh, do they not? They often represent what could be described as the opposite of true Christian faith; morality on it's own. The wisdom for each dilemma simply comes from who's sharp enough, not who's Godly. They might or might not be Godly, I don't know each of their hearts. It's just that frankly, I am tired of people who think being smart is the end all, be all. Seems to me like the whole current obsession with intelligence has led to people being educated out of a brain anyway. That could describe many people in the government.
5 comments:
I hear just what you are saying. I also find myself snorting inwardly when I hear people say things like, "God has been telling me..." because I have seen in the past people making up stuff/ using God as an excuse not to use their intelligence.
BUT
I think there is a place for the Holy Spirit in this world. How lost we would be without God!
You don't wanna listen to me on this. I have checked out of news, particularly news commentary and opinion (I do listen to the headlines occasionally). It was just too stressful, too tense. I found myself getting upset and it was so unproductive (actually, I found Glenn Beck pretty bad for this, I used to really like him but I've gone off him a bit. He gets quite emotional some times and I find it off-putting. I like my newsmen composed I guess! LOL!)
I do think it's important to be informed of politics and economic, but I'm trying to do it more in terms of researching candidates before I vote for them, and reading up on economic theory, than listening to pundits. Since the election I have not watched much TV or read opinion pieces in the paper.
I must sound really ignorant, I'm not I promise! But I just hate getting upset when there's nothing I can do over it. Like this new Supreme Court Justice. I am checking out of that coverage entirely. Look, we have a liberal president, he's going to appoint a liberal judge. Some criticism of her is fair, some is exaggerated, but at the end of the day she has the qualifications and she is going to get appointed. There is just no point in getting riled up and angry over the day's "shock" headline when we all know what the outcome will be and there are babies to play with and real life to enjoy. :)
FWIW, Glenn Beck (my daily national news guy) is a Mormon. That will definitely color his worldview and perspective on the news. So, keep that in mind - filter what he says and learn to "dump" the bad, hold on to the good, and stay informed. We are to be always ready to give an account for the hope that we have. I understand that to mean that, no matter what is going on around us, we should make God our hiding place. But, how will we know when to "hide," when to come out, and how to manuever if we aren't paying attention?
You might like Lars Larson. He's a local Portland talk show host (been around forever - 750AM) who also has a national show. He's level-headed, though a little too libertarian. He's an evangelical Christian, but a little too capitalistic. All in all, he is cool, calm, collected, and very knowledgable. He gives news from the local area, which is much more interesting and important at times than the national guys.
-Jen
Jen,
I know he's Mormon. But I saw an interview on 20/20 with him where he said he became Mormon so that his wife would have sex with him. It was pretty funny actually. If that's really the case, he has some issues though.
I tend to listen to a lot od Conservative radio as well.
I am very partial about who, however. For example I really don't care for Rush. I don't listen to Beck's radio show, but do catch him on TV. I don't think I could do 3 hours straight which is the typical radio show.
My thoughts? If you feel led to turn it off, then turn it off. You're right that constantly hearing someone validate your views can be a bad thing. Just like blogging, right?
I believe in being informed mainly because I'm one of those people who thinks: What if this is something that can be turned around by people getting their heads out of the sand?
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Increasingly, I'm beginning to believe that we are experiencing a combination of God's judgement along with a hastening towards the end of all things so that's causing me to not invest as much time into keeping up with the stuff like I used to. But I still pay attention because it's just my nature to stay informed.
All that said, our brains can only take so much, and we would do well to make sure that we spend more time looking upward than around, you know?
...Says she who just posted a political rant this week.
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