Question Everything?

Lamp in a Corner is focused on Jesus Christ, the doctrines of orthodox Christianity, and providing a conservative Christian look at current events.  Consequently, I try to avoid explaining other religions and philosophies.  I like to leave that to their devotees.  No attempt is being made here to describe Philosophical Skepticism.  I am sure I could not do it justice.  By comparing and contrasting a few of the ideas of Philosophical Skepticism with Christianity, I hope to show how the Christian way of salvation depends on faith. 

Professors often urge college students to “question everything.”  It is not something new.  The ancient Greek philosophers Euripides and Socrates taught their students to question everything.  More recently, Albert Einstein has been quoted as saying that we should question everything.  Skepticism seeks to verify claims of knowledge about things with evidence. 

In the popular culture, questioning everything has come to mean a skeptical approach to conventional wisdom and what is commonly accepted as truth.  However, some skeptics believe that the human mind is too limited to grasp the absolute truth about anything, and therefore all ideas about the nature of things should be questioned. 

Some writers say that The Apostle Paul advocated questioning everything when he wrote: 

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil. (1Thessalonians 5:19-22 ESV) 

However, in context he seems be referring to the exercise of the spiritual gift of prophetic utterances (1Corinthians 12:10) spoken by someone in a church meeting. 

In fact, Paul cautions against following worldly philosophical traditions.  Rather, the Apostle directs us to rely on the all sufficiency of Christ: 

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.  (Colossians 2:8-10 ESV) 

Christianity does not ask the believer to abandon all critical thought or spiritual discernment, and some of what people say is Christian teaching cannot be supported with scripture.  However, ultimately the very nature of the Christian way of salvation depends on accepting Jesus Christ by faith.  The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write: 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  (Ephesians 2: 4-10 ESV) (emphasis added) 

Compassion International explains grace like this: “God’s grace is usually defined as undeserved favor. Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given..." [1] 

The Holy Bible explains itself, and in it faith is described as follows: 

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.  For by it the people of old gained approval. 

By faith we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible.  (Hebrews 11:1-3 NAS) (see also John 1:1-3 for the role of the Living Word – Jesus Christ - in creation) 

Jesus made it clear that salvation comes by believing in Him: 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 ESV) 

After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples, but Thomas was not present.  Later, when they told Thomas that they had seen the risen Lord, Thomas refused to believe, and he said these fateful, skeptical words: 

Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.  (John 20:25 ESV) 

I understand that Thomas was grieving, disappointed, and embittered, but I never read these words without being stricken by their hardheartedness.  Thomas was with Jesus during His earthly ministry for about three years.  He touched Him, heard His words, and witnessed His miracles.  Ten of Thomas’ trusted friends told him they had seen their risen Lord.  Yet he would not believe.  Indeed, he went so far as to say that unless he could violate the sanctity of Jesus’ resurrected body by placing his fingers and hands in the very wounds Jesus suffered to save his soul – he would never believe. 

Then, Jesus appeared again to His disciples eight days later, and this time Thomas was with them.  In loving patience, He gave Thomas what he needed to believe. 

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28 ESV) 

Again, the words of Thomas thunder down through history, “MY LORD AND MY GOD.”  What a complete change of heart.  Jesus saved Thomas.  He worked on me for years with the same loving persistence, and He saved me.  He has already given His life to save you.  All you need to do is to believe it and receive it. 

Jesus then spoke, not only to Thomas, but to all who would come after him: 

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29 ESV) 

Fundamental to Christianity is the faith to believe in things that are not tangible.  Like Thomas, there are those who have difficulty with believing by faith.  In the 19^th century some scholars advocated for what was called “higher criticism” of the claims in the Bible.  They disputed its inerrancy primarily because, at that time, they could not find sources outside the Bible that supported its claims.  Although subsequent investigation has found archeological evidence, and references in secular writings of the Biblical period that support what is in the Bible, higher criticism still has many adherents today. 

The Apostle Paul wrote: 

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. (Romans 1:19-20 ESV) 

Those who demand tangible evidence often ignore the obvious.  For example, estimates vary, but one commonly occurring approximation is that it would take over 90 billion years to travel across the known universe at the speed of light.  Could anything that big have happened by accident?  Writing for the Journal of Theoretical Biology, Hubert P. Yockey has calculated that the probability of the spontaneous biogenesis of life described by Charles Darwin to be one occurrence in 10⁹ years.[2]  That number is large enough to show that life could not have occurred by chance.  Shouldn’t even one of these facts cause us to believe in a Creator?  Life comes through Jesus Christ. (John 1:4, 14:6; 1John 5:11-12)  Who are we – mere specks of protoplasm on the face of a tiny planet – to question so great a God? 

The honest scholarship that has been done to prove the accuracy of the Bible is greatly appreciated.  It has helped many to believe and to remain strong in their faith.  When it comes down to choices, however, one must make what has come to be called “a leap of faith.”  You believe, or you don’t.  Without belief, the faith in Jesus that is fundamental to salvation may be shaken by every new scrap of information that comes down the pike. 

Some skeptics say that pure, absolute truth is unknowable with certainty.  Jesus said: 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV) 

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31-32 ESV) 

How do we find saving faith? In accord with John 8:31-32, the Apostle Paul tells us: 

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV) 

Pray for guidance, earnestly seek God in the Holy Bible, and He will give you the faith to believe … if you will accept it.  Believe in Jesus.  He loves you and wants you to be with Him forever.  

Acknowledgement: 

All of the Bible verses quoted were copied from https://biblehub.com/

 

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[1] https://www.compassion.com/christian-faith/bible-verses-about-grace.htm 

[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0022519377900443

Thanksgiving 2023

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV) [1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/1_thessalonians/5.htm

Rep. Rashida Talib's Censure

The US House of Representatives voted to censure Rep. Rashida Talib (D-MI) on   7 November 2023.  The stated reasons for the censure were: 

The censure resolution introduced by Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick condemns the Michigan Democrat for "promoting false narratives" around the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and "calling for the destruction of the state of Israel." [1] 

According to one report: 

Tlaib posted a video Friday that included footage of protesters in Michigan chanting part of a rallying cry — "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" — that the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish groups view as calling for the destruction of Israel and consider to be antisemitic. Tlaib defended the use of the slogan as "an aspirational call for freedom, human rights and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate." [2] 

There are those who believe that, by censuring her, Rep. Talib’s peers were trying to interfere with her First Amendment right to freedom of speech: 

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said Tuesday the censure vote will show who "believes in the freedom of speech, even the speech they hate." He argued that those who vote to censure Tlaib "want to impose a new political straitjacket of cancel culture" on the country. [3] 

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), who sponsored the resolution, countered that it was evidence that a majority in the US House of Representatives do not share Rep. Talib’s opinions, and its passage was an exercise of their freedom of speech. [4]  Rep. McCormic has had to temporarily close his office, due to security concerns following his introduction of the resolution. [5] 

How we see things often depends on whose side we support.  I hope we can agree in principle, however, that the constitutional rights of all US citizens must be respected and protected.  I hope that we can also agree that the exercise of our constitutional rights must be done in ways that do not deny others their rights, including the right to life and safety. 

I believe that in most cases the common good is best served by common sense.  Like it or not, the exercise of our constitutional rights is qualified. 

Examples include: 

Americans have the right to free speech - I may disagree with what some people say.  I may even find it nauseating - but I will fight for their right to say it.  Nevertheless, Americans may not expect their speech to be protected if it incites others to violence against individuals or people groups, if it advocates the violent overthrow of the government, if it gives aid and comfort to our enemies in time of war, if it conspires to commit crimes, and so forth.  By way of illustration: you will get into serious trouble if you make jokes about a bomb in your luggage while boarding a commercial airplane. 

Citizens of the United States have the right to keep and bear arms.  I am a staunch and steadfast supporter of the Second Amendment.  However, I worked in the criminal justice system for over 20 years, and it is my firm conviction that the right of persons who have been convicted of a felony to own or possess firearms should be permanently forfeited (subject to clemency from a governor or the president).  I support laws that provide for enhanced sentences for those who use deadly weapons in the commission of a crime.  It is necessary and prudent for society to prevent persons who are determined by a court to be a danger to self or others, due to mental illness, from having any form of access to a firearm. 

A free press is necessary for a free country.  One cannot exist without the other.  Yet, it is necessary, particularly in time of war, for the government to protect the national interest by delaying the reporting of sensitive news stories.  The safety of our military personnel must not be jeopardized by news accounts.  The government should have the right to protect the identities of intelligence agents and their assets, and military covert operatives.  Classified information must not be published without an independent review by the courts to determine if the need for classification outweighs the public’s right to know. 

These commonsense limitations benefit us all.  Remember that the courts are available to rule on any unjust or illegal infringement of our constitutional rights. 

In the case of Rep. Talib, it is clear that, given the volatility of the public demonstrations she has addressed, the totality of her angry and strident remarks has been irresponsible, reckless, and dangerous.  She deserved to be censured.  Her conduct has been unbecoming of a US Representative and a disgrace to the US House of Representatives. 

Jesus told us that we are to love our neighbor as we ourselves. (Matthew 19:19, 22:39; Luke 10:25-37)  To hate someone because of their race, skin color, ethnicity, people group – or because of their religion – is wrong.  It is disobedience to God.  Sometimes, we must defend ourselves against those who are trying to harm us or others.  Yet, we should never give way to hate, grudges, or vengefulness. (Leviticus 19:18)  It would be a good thing if we all take a moment to examine our consciences regarding this matter. 

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[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rashida-tlaib-censure-vote-rich-mccormick-marjorie-taylor-greene/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] https://www.jacksonprogress-argus.com/news/u-s-rep-rich-mccormick-closes-congressional-district-office-following-threats/article_eacf67a7-151a-5c19-b1f0-20e28a945646.html?&p2=%5EEQ%5Ejul21%5E&prod=HP&cmpgn=jul21&locale=en_us&annot=false&sameTabLaunch=false&o=APN12175&installSource=direct&geo=us&browser=chrome&darkMode=false&ueid=f6ae51f1-89de-402f-a2d2-da052b71e17b&doi=2021-08-07

He Who Hesitates ...

President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken have “suggested” that Israel “pause” in its offensive against Hamas in Gaza to allow aid into that area for the relief of the humanitarian crisis there.  Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wisely refused. 

The suggestion illustrates why America needs a new Commander in Chief.  It is ignorant, naïve, and stupid.  There is no disrespect to the President intended.  It is just the truth, and I can’t think of any other way to say it. 

In effect, a pause is a temporary ceasefire.  Suggesting a pause exposes Biden and Blinken’s ignorance of the basic principles of war.  Armies go on the offensive to find, fix, close with and destroy enemy forces.  Offensive operations provide the opportunity to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative (acting rather than reacting), get and keep momentum, and to keep the enemy off balance and on the defensive.  All of that is lost when there is a halt to remaining on the offensive. 

It is naïve to believe that Hamas would not use a pause to take the humanitarian aid for themselves.  They have done it before.  They are the ones who will not allow Palestinian civilian refugees to leave the country, and they are the ones who use civilians as human shields.  Does the Biden Administration really think a pause would cause Hamas to allow civilians to flee the fighting?  They have not stopped firing rockets and missiles into Israel for years.  Why would anyone believe Hamas would live up to an agreement to stop now?  Hamas will use any kind of pause to regroup and retrench, making an already hellish fight worse for the IDF. 

The naiveté is intensified by the futile hope that if we are just nice enough to the leaders of Iran and its proxies, then maybe they will like us and be nice to us.  It smacks of Barack Obama’s infamous apology tour.  They hate us because they regard us as infidels, and we support Israel while blocking their efforts to establish a worldwide Califate by force.  Further, they believe that our materialistic, hedonistic society lures Muslim youth away from a strict application of their religion to their style of living. No amount of weak-kneed accommodation is going to change that. 

The ”suggestion” of a pause puts Israel in the position of being compelled by the reality of their situation to refuse.  Thus, it detracts from the perceived legitimacy of Israel’s efforts to defend itself.  Consequently, it is stupid because it plays into the hands of Iran and its proxies who are sworn enemies of the United States.  Do you think they haven’t made themselves our enemies?  If they haven't, then why are they always shouting, “Death to America!”?  They mean it, and getting rid of Israel is just a prelude to the “death” of America that they so fervently desire. 

A pause may help to gain the release of at least some of the hostages, but it would also encourage terrorists around the world to take more hostages - in order to avoid the consequences of their heinous actions.  Again, it is stupid because, regrettably, it plays into the hands of those who would use terroristic violence to achieve their ends.  It puts thousands more people at risk, by increasing their vulnerability to being taken hostage. The Biden Administration and the Democrats are pandering to worldwide demonstrations in favor of the Palestinians, to positions being taken by the UN, and to a political base at home that includes intellectuals and students who support the Palestinians, and also includes most of the Muslim refugees and immigrants who have settled here. 

The United States cannot afford to act in ways that our enemies will perceive to be weakness.  We need a strong Commander in Chief. 

“He who hesitates is lost.” *  It would be a strategic blunder for Israel to pause at this point in their offensive operations in Gaza.  They waited the better part of a month to begin it, in part to give the Palestinian civilians in Gaza a chance to leave, but Hamas would not let their human shields get away.  To survive, Israel must destroy Hamas; not submit to Joe Biden’s pressure to deescalate.

 

*This quote is sometimes credited to Cato, however, many sources say it is a paraphrase of a line spoken by the character, Cato, in Joseph Addison’s 1712 play, Cato, a Tragedy.

Anti-Christian Persecution

Congressman James Michael (Mike) Johnson (R-LA) was elected Speaker Of the House by his peers on 25 October 2023.  Beginning in 2016, he has been repeatedly elected to the US House of Representatives by the legally registered voters in the Fourth Congressional District (Louisiana) he represents.  One would hope that the results of these elections might be respected; at least until Congressman Johnson has had the opportunity to demonstrate his intent by his actions as Speaker.  That has not been the case. 

In his acceptance speech Speaker Johnson was open and honest about his Christian faith.  He also pointed out that the Holy Bible says that those who govern are in positions of leadership because God causes (or allows) them to be. (Romans 13:1-7, 1Peter 2:14-17)  He was not suggesting some sort of Christian theocracy.  He did not exclude those in positions of governmental authority who follow other religious traditions.  He was just being honest about his belief that our leaders need to work together in good faith to get the people’s business done; because that is what God put them there to do. 

Almost immediately, the liberals in the media, the liberal thinktanks, and in politics went on the attack.  There was an opening to throw a punch, and they threw it.  There is a lot of anti-Christian bias in secular society, and the liberals could not resist an opportunity to tap into it. 

There are other things about Speaker Johnson’s legal career and history of public service as a legislator that could have been the focus or their objections.  Instead, they chose to focus on his Christianity. 

For instance, he has only served in Congress for about six years, and he has less experience than other recent speakers. [1] As a lawyer, he represented groups that were against abortion and same-sex marriage. [2]  He has opposed continued funding for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.  He supports Donald Trump, and he helped to contest the results of the 2020 presidential election. [3] 

While his public life is consistent his Christian worldview, it is also consistent with the views of the more conservative wing of the Republican party.  Why has the primary focus been on his Christianity and not on his conservatism? 

The Speaker’s belief in Creationism has been a particular source of ridicule and derision.  Hey, secular world!  Lots of people believe that creation cannot be explained without a Creator.  We do not think that Creationism has been debunked by Evolutionary Theory or the so-called “Big Bang Theory.”  The operative word there is theory - which is an unproved speculation about reality.  In fact, Creationists are often informed people who simply believe in a different explanation of how we got here [4], and they should not be the subject of ridicule. 

We do not hear the religious beliefs of Independents like Tulsi Gabbard (Gudiya Vishnu Hindu) , or Republicans like Nikki Haley (Methodist from a Sikh background) and Vivek Ramaswami (Monotheistic Hindu) called into question with regard to their possible influence on policy making. 

The religious beliefs of Democrats Ilhan Omar (Muslim) and Rashida Talib (Muslim) have come under scrutiny, due to their support of the Palestinians and opposition to the Israelis.  Rather than their religion, however, the focus of most of the criticism has been on their opposition to much of American domestic and foreign policy, their alignment with Wokeism, and their membership in a group of left-wing Congressional Representatives called “The Squad.” 

The dust up over Speaker Johnson’s Christian beliefs begs the question, “Can a Christian who is candid about their faith hold a high office in today’s United States of America?”  Government officials, businesspeople, and ordinary citizens who take a stand for their Savior are called homophobes, racists, Islamophobes, haters, and fascists.  They are likened to the Ku Klux Klan and the theocratic rulers in Iran.  Christian politicians who support parents that object to the Wokeist indoctrination of their children in the schools about critical race theory and gender transition are accused of supporting “domestic terrorism.” 

The answer to the question is that the persecution of American Christians is not imminent.  It is already happening.  Be ready brothers and sisters in Christ.  Be ready. 

 

 

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[1] https://www.brookings.edu/articles/who-is-new-speaker-of-the-house-mike-johnson/

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/who-is-mike-johnson-new-republican-us-house-speaker-2023-10-25/

[4] See: the documentaries: Unlocking the Mystery of Life, The Privileged Planet, and Darwin’s Dilemma offered as a DVD collection by Ilustra Media.

It Figures

It is always the same.  Terrorists savagely attack Israel, and then they use civilian populations as human shields.  The Israelis counterattack, trying to defend themselves.  Then the world takes the side of the terrorists, condemning Israel for war crimes resulting in the death and injury of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.  The truth is that the fault for the death and destruction presently happening in Gaza rests on Hamas, not on Israel. If they hadn’t started nothin’, there wouldn’t be nothin’. (Sic.) 

The world is calling for de-escalation and a ceasefire, thus denying Israel the right to defend itself.  It figures. It happens over and over, every time. 

When Israel continues to pursue its attackers, the United Nations (UN) steps in. [1] [2] Sooner or later, the UN usually passes resolutions condemning Israel, and demanding an end to the fighting.  Nations and private individuals boycott trade with Israel.  Investors divest themselves of their investments in Israel.  Some nations, like Iran, threaten to join in attacking Israel. 

Eventually, when they are on the cusp of victory, the Unites States (US) pressures Israel into breaking off their counterattack and withdrawing from “occupied” areas.  The result is that the underlying conditions that are perpetuating the ongoing, sporadic warfare never get resolved, and the cycle repeats itself. 

The world buys the lie that Israel is a colonial, occupying power, and is, therefore, responsible for the conflict.  The world buys the lie that the brutal Islamist terrorist attacks are justified by Israeli “oppression.”  In fact, the lawless acts of the terrorists are so vile that nothing – nothing – provides sufficient grounds to justify them. 

The US pressures Israel to bring an end to hostilities and withdraw its troops from all “occupied” territories, however, when we were attacked by terrorists we invaded and conquered two countries.  Then, it took 20 years for us to leave.  Seems a little hypocritical, doesn’t it. 

The Bible says that wrongdoing is sin. (1John 5:17)  Those who continue in sin are of the devil. (1John 3:8)  That is they are serving Satan.  The people of the world buy the devil’s lies because Satan was a murderer and a liar from the beginning, and they delude themselves into believing lies because they belong to the devil.  They will not hear the truth because they refuse to listen to the truth.  (John 8:42-47) 

Hear the truth. The latest iteration of this ongoing conflict, beginning on 7 October 2023, was not initiated by Israel.  Hamas began the current fighting.  They murdered families in their beds.  They burned people alive.  They kidnapped over 200 civilians, and they are still holding them hostage.  They raped women publicly, and they disfigured the dead.  They murdered the elderly.  They murdered babies and cut off their heads.  They laughed and celebrated while they were doing it.  They sent “selfies” to their families as if to say, “Look Ma! I killed a Jew.”  This is what people do when they are doing Satan’s bidding. 

If Israel is pressured into a premature ceasefire, it will happen again.  Maybe it will be worse.  This time Israel must be allowed to finish the job of eliminating Hamas; and perhaps Hezbollah, too … in their own way and in their own time.  The US must provide enough support to Israel to ensure their complete and total victory. 

Fellow Americans, when Israel fights Hamas and other Iranian proxies, they are doing our fighting for us.  If they are not allowed to get the job done, the terrorists will bring the fight to us.  It is only a matter of time. 

The Islamist terrorists are not just slaughtering people in Israel.  They are committing atrocities against “infidels” in Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, other African countries, and around the world.  Understand that, during the 20^th and 21^st centuries, Jewish and Christian communities that have existed in the Middle East for hundreds of years have been crushed, and the surviving inhabitants have been driven out.  The Middle East is almost completely Islamic. 

Data shows a spike in the apprehension of suspected terrorists attempting to enter the United States illegally.[3]  Most of the articles I read indicate that our greatest threat is from domestic terrorists.  That seems to be what our government would have us believe.  I would just like to remind readers that the worst terrorist attacks in US history were on 11 September 2001, and they were perpetrated by foreign terrorists.  If you think that what is happening in Israel can’t happen here, you are wrong.  Let’s hope you are not dead wrong.

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[1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/24/un-calls-for-immediate-ceasefire-to-end-epic-suffering-in-gaza

 [2] https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/10/occupied-gaza-strip-un-committee-calls-immediate-ceasefire-and-urges-end

 [3] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-mexico-border-terrorists/

 

Fish or Cut Bait

I am registered to vote as a Republican.  There are several reasons, but these are the two most important.  The biggest reason I “align” with the Republican Party is that its platform and candidates for office match my values as a Christian and a Conservative more closely than any of the other alternatives.  A secondary consideration is that I live in Southwest Idaho, which is predominantly Republican.  If you want a voice about who is going to be elected, you must vote in the Republican primary.  If you vote in the Democratic primary you may get to help pick the Democratic candidates, but in most cases, they will not be the candidates that are elected. 

Occasionally, I send the Republican Party a small financial contribution.  I am caring for a disabled wife, and I am not able to do volunteer work.  We are “retired and on a fixed income,” so we cannot give very much.  It is like the Biblical story of the Widow’s Mite in Luke 21:1-4.  What we give comes out of what we have to live on.  They send me cards that say I am a party member, although I never asked to be. 

We elect U.S. Congressional Representatives every two years, a President every four years, and U.S. Senators every six years.  During the time before each election, the candidates and the political pundits on the news programs tell us that, “This election is the most important election in history.”  We are given to believe that the future of the United States, and even our very existence as a nation, rests on the outcome of that very election. 

We are told that the opposition party will destroy the country, provoke World War III, and turn our government from a democracy into a totalitarian dictatorship - or at least into an oligarchy.  We are urged to elect Republicans, or Democrats as the case may be, in order to save the country from the forces of evil on the other political side. 

The need for the cable news program “hosts” to have something interesting to talk about for 24 hours a day, seven days a week encourages exaggerated rhetoric that is dividing our people in ways they might never have dreamed possible before the Vietnam War.  Our enemies fund extremist groups that exploit our divisions by organizing “peaceful” demonstrations that somehow always become violent. 

Like Chicken Little, we become convinced that the sky is falling.  Stimulated by political deceptions, our angst overrides our common sense. 

Without giving sway to panic, I honestly believe that the Democrats have gone off the rails.  I think that in some weird, misguided effort to remake America into a Socialist society, their policies put our future at risk.  We Republican voters elect our fellow Republicans to national office because we want them to stop the Democrats from destroying the American way of life. 

After they are elected, however, the Republicans squander the opportunities we give them to restore sanity to our government.  Rather than fixing the problems, or at least preventing the Democrats from doing more harm, the Republicans spend their time and energy devouring each other. 

I am imploring all Republicans to hang together like the Democrats do.  Find common ground, and then honor the agreements that were made to achieve consensus.  When you do the public’s business, present a united front.  It is time for Republicans to fish or cut bait.