That label is so loud, I can't hear what you are saying!

I got up this morning and began my usual morning routine of breakfast at the computer. You see, I go to the web for news of world and to Facebook for news of my friends. I especially love Facebook even with all it’s unnecessary clutter (nope not really interested in your Mafia status) as it helps keep me up to date on people that I would be totally out of touch with. I get to see pictures of family I’ve never met and on occasion read a comment from the heart that opens my understanding of who they are and what’s truly important to them. I find this freaking amazing!

I also like a good debate. If I listen, really listen, a well articulated viewpoint stretches my thought process, pulls out questions I’d never considered and allows me to know the things about my friend that are important to them. I gain a better understanding of the life they live, how they process information and think through problems based on that particular filter. If I listen to everything they are communicating it gives me a road map to the care and perseverance of a friend. In other words it can bring me beyond myself, outside of my view, outside of my filter and open up a whole world of understanding. Debate for me is not necessarily about swaying but understanding the other’s viewpoint. It’s about learning about one another those things that make us who we are – the things about each other that make us unique!

What I don’t get is the nastiness that can come through a difference of opinion; the name calling, the mud slinging and just the plain ugliness that spews forth. It saddens me that if we the nation, exercise our rights under the constitution that we are labeled as “Nazis,” “unpatriotic,” “bitter clinger,” “evil monger,” “angry mobster,” or a “mob.” By the same token these same people that are being so labeled come carrying signs stating “A village in Kenya is missing their Idiot.” wearing t-shirts with a picture of a white faced black eyed Obama labeled as “joke,” or one with “Chairman Maobama,” logo across the front. Or by someone thinking it’s okay to call anyone hypocrite because they believe that Michael Vic should not be allowed to play professional sports again due to his dog cruelty conviction because after all Sarah Palin reportedly shoots wolfs from a helicopter and calls that sport.

What I’m saying is I believe our views are lost, deeply buried, in the meanness of our response when we react in these manners, with these types of words and actions.

As it states in Romans 13:1-3, I believe that there is no authority except from God and that our leaders are placed by His hand. That we are to submit to this authority, and protest against it, in such a fashion that honors God, and shows respect to everyone (1 Peter 13:17) and Titus 3:1 states; “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe with all my heart that each and everyone has the right to a viewpoint, an opinion that is different from mine. If you think differently than me it does not make you evil, it does not give me the right to name call or sling mud at you, it does not make you stupid or ignorant, it does not make you a hypocrite, it does not turn you into a Nazi, it is not a sign that you are unpatriotic or that you don’t care about the “working poor,” nor does it give me the right to hit you with racial or ethnic slurs.

As a Christian I am called to pray for my leaders. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved to come to a knowledge of the Truth.” (1 Tim. 1-4) Now, I don’t believe that this is a call to stick my head in the sand and ignore the “issues” of the day or to not speak out; but what if while I’m speaking out my goal is to be a representative of God and to show His love? I don’t know about you, but pray changes the condition of my heart; it makes it impossible for me to hold hatred toward a person or their view when I’m on my knees in prayer for them.