This isn’t going to be much of a post, mostly rambling. Everyone’s reflecting on the Election and I’ve really been trying to just take it all in. It’s been a roller coaster of emotion lately. Here’s a snippet.
Excitement. Going to the polls and joining hundreds of your neighbors to participate in the democratic process. Kids where shouting from the school buses that passed by. We were all excited (those I knew were voting for Obama, others I knew were voting for McCain, others casting blank ballots). Many hoping for their candidate to be victorious, but more then that there was just a real sense of purpose and excitement that we were doing something important.
Nervousness. Throughout the day about the votes I’d casts, the decisions I was now complicit in. Later nervous about the safety of the president elect.
Joy. Around ten, after we heard the report on the television, you could hear horns honking in the street, kids running around shouting. You could feel it in the air in our neighborhood. The significance of this historic moment.
Sadness. Largely due to facebook, I’ve witness the extreme negativity expressed by people I know and respect about the election results. The most troubling are those I call fellow followers of Christ. (Update: My sister pointed out this came across wrong, here’s a further explanation) I deeply respect people on both sides of the election results. My sadness is regarding the doom and gloom response that the election is ushering in the death of America, bringing on communism, destroying Israel, that the election was stolen, and that those who applaud the victory do not care about human life. (all of that summed up in people’s facebook statuses). I’m not trying to censor or discourage people’s opinions, it just makes me sad that that is the first and primary response from so many people I know.
Commitment. I’m committed to moving on. Moving past this political discourse and toward a dialog and commitment to action to address the issues that have been so passionately on the minds of those with whom I share my faith. I pray we can find common ground and worked toward living out the unified love of Christ in this broken world.
[photo credit]
(Update: My sister pointed out this came across wrong, here’s a further explanation) I deeply respect people on both sides of the election results. My saddness is regarding the doom and gloom response that the election is ushering in the death of America, bringing on communism, destroying Israel, that the election was stolen, and that those who applaud the victory do not care about human life. (all of that summed up in people’s facebook statuses). I’m not trying to censore or discourage people’s opinions, it just makes me sad that that is the first and primary response from so many people I know.
May I say that I think it’s a little unfair and judgmental to complain about ppl’s first reactions in disappointment to the election?
I mean, yes, if someone says something truly stupid or racist or whatever, then that’s one thing. However, so long as it is not somethign like that, you should keep in mind that emotions ran high this year as they do all election cycles. Keep in mind that many of us have real, serious, and reasonable concerns over the direction that Obama wants to take us. He said he wants to “remake” the country. Well, some of us may admit we have had and do have our issued as a nation, but we don’t think the country needs to be “remade”, or that his recipe is wise or good.
I for one have all those concerns and more. I am also happy to have the first black president, and hope that it will be a step toward some further reconciliation, dialogue, and moving past the racial issues of the past. That is a plus that I acknowledge. But I am still worried that O will take us in a redistributionist direction socially, and that he will be more interested in “getting along” with other nations rather than in standing for what is right and good in the world, and that he will be too heavy a hand in trying to control the direction of growth in industry, etc. I reserve the right to be bummed out about that, and to say so.
So, if someone is bummed out and they say so in their Facebook status or some other place, so what?
Ariah,
I completely agree with the sadness part. It is confusing to me to hear such a mixed message from my Christian community.
G
Aaron, your totally right. As I said in the title, I WISH I could say something brilliant, or even half coherent.
I haven’t been around that long so I don’t really remember what it was like when Clinton was elected. But I do remember Bush in ’04. And I just don’t remember hearing this kind of stuff then (granted facebook wasn’t around). I mean, of course people are disappointed and I’m fine with that, and for a great many reasons.
And I can understand all of your concerns as well.
So, I’m sorry if this seems judgmental or unfair, it’s not against you. And I’m sorry for not being able to articulate this sad feeling clearly enough
@G:
I also want to affirm the mixed messages thing. Maybe I should add another feeling
Uncomfortable. I’m uncomfortable with some of the level of excitement about Obama’s election. As Christians we serve allegiance to a different king and kingdom, it can be easy to forget that when your political leanings win
A good summary of thoughts. I think Minneapolis is still on a euphoric high from the election. It has been an interesting last few days as conservative friends were weighing in on their opinions (which I appreciated b/c they lacked the venomous hatred of so many conservatives). Other friends also started posting about the need to remember that an earthly election does nothing to the power and grace that can be found in God. God still reigns, even if Obama were to completely ruin our country in the next few years God is still sovereign and we can rejoice in heaven when our time comes. With that in mind I posted two songs on my blog, one was serious and the other a little lighter.
I actually just saw this post today titled Obama is an Opportunity. Very intriguing.
Nick? Crossinator? –
Dude, you are way out of line with the “venomous hatred of so many conservatives” snark. You can head on over to dailykos and other such blogs where liberals hang out and get your fill of Christians being called Christofascists, or google Obama’s new Chief of Staff to find his nice little “republicans can go fuck themselves” quote. No one has a corner on that kind of thing, and least of all conservatives.
It takes deliberate, willful ignorance to suggest that conservatives are the only ones who ever go a little overboard in their passion for what they believe. It is prideful, judgmental, and self-righteous for “progressives”, Christian or otherwise, to snear at their more conservative fellow citizens as being backward and hateful, and to hold themselves out as being somehow morally or intellectually superior.
Now, I don’t know you – maybe you did not mean that to come accross as generally as you said it, but it is exactly what you wrote.
I just really take offense at being painted with a broad brush.
i agreed with the tenor of the rest of your comments – not that you need my approval
Aaron, you are probably correct. I should have left out that aside about venomous conservatives. I could have left the statement out entirely, but I think my point was more about Christian conservatives and the amount of hate the religious right was directing at Obama – a self-described brother in the faith.
You are correct that many left wing organizations have a lot of hatred towards Christians – even left-leaning ones. But that is to be expected. We as Christians, in my opinion, shouldn’t be creating and spreading hate. If you disagree with an issue that is fine, but we are still called to love everyone and treat them with grace.
I got a text message from a Christian friend, that is too upsetting to repost here, but is vilely racist. She thought is was funny.
Aaron – thank you for correcting me and my general paintbrush. It is sad that both sides must resort to attacking the other, instead of civilly talking about the issues. Christians should try to stay above that. And that was my point. I apologize for my misuse of terms.
Do you have a blog? I would love to read more about your ideas and thoughts. I often enjoy hearing your counter-points to Ariah’s posts.
I have not seen any “hate” directed at BO from “the religious right”. I have seen some pointed political disagreement, and some anger at his positions on abortion, for example, but not any hate. Either you have seen something I have not, or you define “hate” in a much broader way than I do.
As for your friend who sent you the email, that is simple jackassery that you should address with her.
You don’t have to apologize to me. I was just letting you know what I tought.
No blog for me. I’m neither interesting nor smart nor organized enough to pull that off. All I can muster is picking on people who do.
Aaron, your always welcome to pick on me here. 😉