Our nation is presently involved in a political campaign that will go down I believe as one of the most ideological campaigns in American history. I can only imagine it to be like the campaign of 1854 when James Buchanan defeated John Fremont and Millard Fillmore when succession was the major issue. Or when Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, won over John Breckinridge, John Bell, and his major opponent Stephen Douglas. It has been suggested that the “lukewarm” policies of President Buchannan further divided the nation over the issue of ‘states rights’ (a guise for pro slavery and the expansion of slavery in new states). By the time the election of 1860 came about seven states had already succeeded from the union and there was no question we were going to enter into a civil war. A war that was to see 618, 222 men die in battle or from disease. An additional 24,866 were to die in prison as prisoners of war. 24,902 were to die from military executions, killed after capture, murder, drowning, etc.
When the war ended in April of 1865 the nation remained divided. Though the slaves had been set free and our government was now secure as a union there remained a division so deep that the issue of equal rights for all citizens regardless of color would remain until 1964 with the signing of the Civil Rights Act – and even later the signing of the Voter Rights Act in 1965. Over one hundred years of legalized segregation and racism lingered. The issue of ‘states rights” regarding segregation was even at the forefront of the election of 1968, when segregationist governor George Wallace ran as a third party candidate. His campaign ended with an assassination attempt that left him paralyzed.
I remember, as a young man, campaigns like the 1964 and 1968 campaign when “fear” and “hatred” rather than policy and issues drove the campaign. I remember the anti-Catholic bias of the 1960 campaign when politicians used the fear of possible “papal” influence and the division between Protestant and Catholics to influence voters. I remember when the racial divisions in America were used to develop a so-called “southern strategy” and how the “race card” or accusations of “racism” were flung about if one disagreed with a particular political policy. And, now we live in the reality of “political correctness” that not only stifles real debate but also ends the careers of what could be genuine and effective leadership.
It is easy to campaign using “hatred” and “fear”. It appeals to that which is so easily roused in our carnal nature. It is easy to campaign on that which keeps us apart and divides us and is birthed in the futility of our thinking and appeals to our desire to divide along economic, racial, religious, and ethnic lines. It is much easier to assassinate a person’s character and background than to address the fundamental issues. It is easy to target one group or another and blame them for the social and economic issues we face; particularly if that group is a minority or voiceless.
It is also common for us to attempt to look to “princes”, “kings”, “presidents”, or “judges” to be the savior. We are always tempted to put our trust in man rather than God. It is as old as Israel’s desire for a king. Man fails to heed the warning of the prophets over and over again in spite of disappointment and even the consequential reality of government tyranny.
I believe there are many issues facing our country that require reasonable debate. And, many of them must be driven not just by pragmatism since there are moral underpinnings. Even a discussion of the economy has moral and ethical implications. As a Christian I believe there is no more pressing moral issue – in fact like slavery in the 1860’s and Civil Rights in the 1960’s – than the Right to Life of the Pre born. And, though it won’t be talked about with any substance by either political candidate and the economy will be the defining issue in the election – bread and butter economics – unless this issue is settled the soul of America will be forever dark.
Abraham Lincoln in his second inaugural address more profoundly than any other President understood at the heart of the Civil War was a judgment of God upon a nation that for 250 years tolerated the horror of slavery. He said, “The Almighty has His own purposes. ‘Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.’ If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this might scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God will that it continue till all the wealth be piled by the bondsman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said ‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’ With malice towards none, with charity towards all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
A few weeks later this man who appealed to the which is good in man and to Christian virtue in light of such horror fell at the hands of a southern racist zealot.
Martin Luther King, Jr. when faced with the violent hatred of racists stated, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” He said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Or one of my favorites, “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”
This prophet of the 1950’s and 60’s also fell at the hand of a hate filled racist. This man who could have lived quietly and silently in the darkness of segregation as a pastor of a thriving black Baptist church dared speak light into darkness, love in to hate, forgiveness in a desire for vengeance. And for doing so he gave up his own life for the sake of those who could not speak.
The cry of the preborn, the suffering of post abortive men and women, the weakness of the suffering elderly, the despair of those in developing nations being lured into the deceit of “population control” by abortionists must be heard and when it is heard the soul of the listener will indeed be called forth to speak. But the thoughts that swirl in our minds and the words that come out of our mouth must never be given over to the temptation to hate least we face the risk of losing our own soul to the darkness of the enemy. The enemy will tempt us again and again in the “name of righteous” to suspend the very command to “love our neighbor.”
Justice will never come about from the hands of bitter, angry, resentful, and hate filled people. This seemingly sweet victory will only result in oppressing those who once oppressed. The hatred will not be cleansed from their hearts in what they perceive as victory. It is well and good that we are passionate about the issues that face us. It is well that we are stirred with patriotic zeal for the things we believe. Though there is weakness in democracy even when tempered by a representative republic this same form of government has created one of the greatest societies on earth. The process of a free people in fervent debate is a good thing. But let us be careful that we don’t lose our soul in the very debate in which we desire to save the souls of others.
I have not idea who will win the American Presidential Election of 2012. I hope and pray that the voices for the un-born will prevail. I recognize however that who ever wins the battle will continue. Abortion will not be ended in 2013 and most likely not in the next four years. Progress might be made. But I do know this that we will only prevail if we hold onto the truth that Jesus is Risen from the dead and seated on the throne. Our appeal is to His eternal plan and always at the feet of His love and mercy that should and must rule our hearts. A victory that has lost the capacity to love, forgive, and show mercy will not only be hollow but I fear opens the door to a far greater demonic oppression.
Bishop Craig Bates
International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church
The Branch Life 
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