The Christian and the Wickedness of Political Silence

Corruption in the United States of America is omnipresent. Karl Marx once said that "there's a spectre hanging over Europe, the spectre of Communism." What Mr. Marx should have said was that the spectre of corruption was hanging over not only Europe, but over every society on earth and has infested nearly every, single human institution in the history of mankind. One might not agree with the above statements, but what facts could one possibly produce that would even come close to refuting that assertion? This writer need say only one thing: watch and read the news.
Corruption is literally the spoiling of a person, place, system, or idea. It is the transformation of something or someone that is useful or beneficial into that which is unprofitable. The late, great Bishop Arthur M. Brazier warned Christians in particular to avoid being what he called "unproductive." In keeping with the aforementioned admonition that one need only take note of daily news reports, what has been this writer's response to regular digestion of the goings-on of today? Rage at times, nauseated disgust even. But as of late and over the years, marked emotional responses have become terribly apathetic. This writer has, like millions of others in the United States, become quite accustomed to the normality of treachery and dishonesty in the affairs of politics and government. How did a nation that once possessed the most informed and politically conscious populace on earth become so disconnected from a solemn duty to hold public servants accountable for their service to their constituents? The citizenry simply accepted that corruption was just "the price of doing business," that's how. Now, Americans are more concerned with finding the candidate with the fewest flaws. In many ways that's only sensible, but more and more of public officials' flaws have, like poisonous, cancerous cells become outright scandals. No one should be accepting of a candidates participation in scandals. We, as heirs of the greatest, most special political entity in history owe ourselves and our posterity much better than mediocrity.
Christians especially are called to be two things in a rapidly disintegrating society: salt and light. Those who would call themselves Saints of the Most High are commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ to preserve this decadent society; called to hold back its corruption, not go along with it or approve of it through silence. Salt was an apropo metaphor as, obviously, in the days of Christ there were no methods of refrigeration. Salt was used as a preservative to keeps meats fresh for weeks in heat that could be pleasant to downright oppressive. Not only did packing meat with salt inhibit decay, it served as a barrier against pests. Salt was so important a commodity that it was used as currency. Salt also adds flavor to our meals; so much more, Christians should be the "flavor" of society, bringing to life the real pleasures of life to be enjoyed in sanctity and purity. Needless to say, salt also irritates; it stings festering wounds as it simultaneously destroys bacteria. Yes, there's a reason why "pouring salt on a wound" is particularly malicious.
What can I possibly say more about the conspicuous meanings on being light in both the metaphorical and literal darkness of a rapidly eroding society. Light exposes those deeds thought safely done under the cover of darkness and that automatically implies away from eyes of those empowered to administer justice and rebuke. Christians must be that light, exposing those sinister activities, making ashamed those who would dare to perpetrate such evil upon us all.
It's well known and validated by history that those who would do us harm or enslave us, need far more than device or resource to rise as cruel masters over us. It's our silence and failure to simply stand, tall, and strong in opposition to all that we know to be just and true that they need more than all.
How easy it is to equate that silence to a citizen's failure to vote, to just report to the polls and make one's voice heard via ballot. It is the Christian's sacred duty to cast an informed ballot and subsequently hold those elected responsible for the solemn vow they take on behalf of an increasingly frustrated populace.
Those of other religions and athiests as well, do you not also reap benefits, immediate and delayed, when you also are astute, engaged members of a politically informed, astute citizenry? Obviously, the answer is yes.
My fellow citizen, corruption lurks about, seeking whom it may engulf, whose soul- the most noble, the most palatable for its appetite are of course, most lusted after. Corruption must be resisted with the most stout of dispositions and with Marine-like vigilance, fought to the death with every righteous, upright weapon at one's disposal. The battle against political corruption is a hard fight, only because it resides in every one of our hearts. In the heart of the Christian, it lay subdued, chained by Jesus Christ Himself (so long as that one remains submitted to his Lord) yet, in some, corruption seethes with power and anticipation, heaving like some monstrous beast, ready to roar forward at the proper opportunity. Yes, there are noble non-Christians who serve in government who are well-meaning, intent, determined even, to do the people's business and whenever those servants are found properly excercising their power given by the consent of the governed, we do well to commend and reward them. Conversely, those found unworthy, must- they must- be exposed and defeated regardless of the color they brandish or whether there's a D or an R after their name.
Silence for the Christian is a matter of power. Silence transfers power from we, who wish an honestly run government, to the corrupt, who seek to secure power for themselves and they who cling to the shadows of the curtains of the political stage. Jesus Christ is the Lord of a true Christian, and a very worthy example for the non-Christian in that He courageously and without shame spoke "truth to power" in the purest sense of that term. His words were so accurate, his railing so appropriately dead-on, He was ultimately killed because, mainly, of His threatening to completely overturn the very delicate political balance of the region. He was so full of Truth, nobility, knowledge, that His people, by force attempted to install Him as King of Israel and follow Him in battle against the evil, mighty empire of the Romans.
We do well by voting. We do greater by keeping a watchful eye on our elected officials as the affairs of government today are a matter of one keeping one's very soul clean in the filth of voracious striving for power and influence. Let us not be like the "good" Germans witnessing the young political career of Adolph Hitler who, by their silence, approved of the arrest and cruel treatment of Jews and Gypsies. He was not opposed soon enough. The corruption of his heart was not checked by a stalwart citizenry and the evil thereof plunged the entire planet earth into the throes of the bloodiest war in human history. Let us be on our post!

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