Browsing: politics

There is danger in placing divine importance on the shoulders of a political candidate. Not only is it theologically bankrupt in that it presumes that anyone can know God’s plan for us — and even more absurdly, that we can intuit how God feels about American elections — but it elevates support for a politician past any reasonable level. It becomes closer to idol worship than advocacy.

New York Times best-selling author and political correspondent Tim Alberta believes November’s presidential election is a turning point for American Christians. Alberta lectured on the intersection of American politics and Christianity at the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies annual fall lecture on Wednesday evening in the Armstrong Browning Library.

Too often, political discussions devolve into arguments where the main objective is to come out on top rather than to obtain a greater understanding of a different perspective or to expose someone else to your own.

The pressure of being an influencer is hard to conceptualize. Imagine going viral for a “get ready with me” video and, only a few months later, being asked to share your opinion about controversial topics you know nothing about. As a society, putting this pressure on our favorite influencers does more harm than good and is setting them up for failure.

If the president is unable to properly control his own branch — if he is forced to tolerate an array of rogue bureaucrats who think taking matters into their own hands is somehow akin to saving the republic — then the Editorial Board is unfortunately correct: The president is really little more than a figurehead.

Do your research, find someone who aligns well with your beliefs and stand by them on the ballot, even if it’s likely they won’t win. Your conscience can be clearer knowing you voted for someone you truly believed in and are not just settling for someone who sort of represents what you believe. Plus, the more votes they get, the more recognition they will receive. Ultimately, an independent vote represents a thought-out vote and is a vote well spent.

The average citizen doesn’t seem to grasp that beyond a short list of enumerated powers, the president is little more than a figurehead. Much to their chagrin, “single-handedly ensuring the holistic success of the United States while establishing an immaculate economy” is not in his job description.

The bottom line is that when we equate people to the ideas they hold, it ruins relationships — so much so that we all believe it is better to stay away from talking about politics at all.

It’s no secret that politics is a black hole of economic jargon and social nuances. Yet, for some reason, college students are expected to magically have their views all figured out at 18. Tack it onto their to-do list, right after choosing a major and determining what line of work will fill the next 40 years of their lives.

During a State of the City address, Waco Mayor Dillon Meek confirmed he does not plan to seek reelection after his term expiration in May 2024. Meek, who is also a Baylor alum, said he is most proud of “being part of the team that kept Waco’s civic landscape and culture consensus-driven, civil and kind.”

It’s important to have such beliefs and opinions, but when you’re deconstructing a tragedy and interpreting what happened during it for political gain, you’re no longer just stating your opinion. Instead, you’re taking the tragedy, removing the tragic aspect of it — the side that calls for sympathy or understanding — and using the situation for your own gain.

The different political views and ideologies that students are confronted with in college can cause a division among peers.