Political campaigns promote Hate, evangelization campaigns promote Love?

[Bartolome_Casas]

I look out and I see each major political parties rallying the troops (voters) by promoting hate and fear of the other side. That is what **ENERGIZES **people (voters). That’s what energizes and attracts the audience for radio and TV shows that have a political point of view. Without that HATE and FEAR and LOATHING of the Other Side, what would they have? We are in a major political campaign season in the USA now, but really the season of campaigning really never ends due to all the politically oriented TV talk and radio talk shows.

By contrast, campaigns of Christian evangelization promotes LOVE, not HATE.

Evangelization promotes, above all,** LOVE of GOD**. Right next to that, it promotes LOVE of NEIGHBOR. JESUS even commanded us to LOVE our ENEMIES, and to FORGIVE 7 times 77 times (which I have heard is a Hebrew-ism meaning “an unlimited number of times”).

The New Testament commands us to love our neighbors, all of them, especially the yucky ones, and calls love “the fulfillment of the law,” and teaches such jewels as:

“Love is patient.”
“Love is kind.”
“[Love] does not envy.”
“[Love] does not boast.”
“[Love] it is not proud.”
“[Love] does not dishonor others.”
“[Love] is not self-seeking.”
“[Love] is not easily angered.”
“[Love] keeps no record of wrongs”

Is there ANY political party in which the leaders and candidates observe THOSE COMMANDMENTS?

So, may one not conclude that political campaigns, as they are currently in the USA, are by their very nature antagonistic to the Way of Christ?

May one not conclude that what the USA needs is MORE campaigns of evangelization, not more political campaigns?

We are commanded to vote by the bishops. But we are not commanded to be heavily involved in political campaigns. We are not commanded to feel HATE or promote HATE, even for the cause of winning elections and putting the “bad guys” out of office.

And since political campaigns produce so much HATE, and run on hate, they are near occasions of mortal sin, and so should be approached with great caution.

Agree? Disagree?

 

[Bartolome_Casas]

Furthermore, is there ANY political party or movement in which the leaders and propagandists thereof promote the Beattitudes of Jesus?

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10

 

[Bartolome_Casas]

Politics fosters and makes absolutely necessary one thing that is DEADLY to the spiritual life according to the New Testament: SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Recall all that Jesus taught the Pharisees and other religious leaders of this day who were so sure of their righteousness. Recall all that Jesus and St. Paul taught about humility and judging others.

Only God is Righteous.

We are all sinners.

We all called to pray, **“Lord, have mercy upon ME a SINNER” **not **“Lord, help us kick all the Liberals out of the White House, the Congress, and the U.S. Supreme Court.” **

If we Catholics as a People were as holy as God wants us to be, there would not be in all of the USA more that 100 Liberals**.

**Instead of pursuing Holiness, we pursue political victories. Ugh. It is all for nothing.