Canada has a federal election coming on the 28th, and sure enough little election signs are sprouting up on lawns everywhere, much like dandelions. Although, dandelions aren’t trying to advertise shamelessly trying to get you to vote for them. Seas of red and blue, occasional dots of green and orange line the roadways. It’s distracting. A lot of the candidates are putting their mugshots on their signs. Perhaps they’re going for the “Man, this guy looks honest” vote. “Is this the face of a guy that would lie to you?” Hmm…in some cases I can see why it’d work. In others, the candidates just chose the wrong picture. Is that how you want people to remember you? What the hell were they thinking? So wrong.
Anyway, at church, the priest decided to make a statement during the parish announcements. He announced that the church in no way endorses any one particular party over another. He said the same thing last week. This week was different in that he went further to stay that he encouraged everyone to vote for politicians who uphold Catholic morals.
Now, honestly, that’s basically saying telling the public exactly who to vote for. There’s one group in particular that’s against abortion, frankly against same-sex marriages, etc. The priest was indirectly saying that people should throw their vote behind that party.
I’m all for the separation of church and state. I was surprised last week when the priest stated that the church doesn’t support any one party. “Right on,” I thought. This week, I was not impressed at all. It’s just not right for someone in such a position to be trying to guilt people into going one way or another. Maybe it wasn’t directly “guilting” people, but at the same time, this guy is in a position of power in that it’s his job to try to morally guide people.
I’m of the opinion that voting is an entirely personal matter. I’m not saying that morality doesn’t play a factor into who I’m going to vote for–far from it. Morality means everything. It’s just that politics plays on so many more levels than hot-bed issues like abortion or same-sex unions. For example, who is more likely to be able to help those in need? What of medicare?
As with most things this is not a black and white issue. Trying to make it one is not only wrong, it’s denying freedom of thought.
As of yet, I’m still undecided as to where I’m going to throw my vote. The sure thing though is that it’s going to be my vote.
Possibly related posts:
4 comments
5221 says:
Mon. June 7, 2004 at 3:14 pm (UTC -4 )
sometimes i wonder if there really is anything fundamentallly difference between religion and government
Jason says:
Mon. June 7, 2004 at 5:14 pm (UTC -4 )
Interesting. You can take into consideration the many rulers in the past who would equate themselves with deities. Actually, there are some rulers that do that right now, namely the North Korean prez.
As it is, both religion and the government have a tendency to guide our morality. Maybe the big difference is that government is headed by a human being, where as religion is ultimately dictated by principle itself.
5221 ( no hidden meaning ) says:
Mon. June 7, 2004 at 10:44 pm (UTC -4 )
government, like religion is based on principle. government can become fanatical just like religion. government is like the religion that all people subscribe to. oh wait, some people subscribe to anarchy. oh wait, some people believe in no religion at all. oh wait, i guess its all built on the same fundamentals.
Jason says:
Tue. June 8, 2004 at 8:47 am (UTC -4 )
I’m not into Poli-Sci or anything, but maybe it’s the fact we live in someplace democratic that is biasing my opinion, but I still see a difference. For one thing, religion isn’t necessarily enforcable by law.
You could go against your religion and ultimately you’re up against your own conscience. Going against the government on the other hand might bring the established law structure down on upon you. It’s tangible versus intangible.