The Third Effect
Posted by: William H. Perkins, Jr. on August 26, 2008 Featured Article •
Modern American politics is in a mess, isn’t it? The sensationalized rhetoric and histrionic mudslinging of today probably matches (or exceeds) the dirty politics of bygone eras. An astute follower of politics once observed, “You can’t govern if you don’t win,” but the win-at-any-cost mentality of today has become a dangerous drain on our national vitality.
Pundits frequently speculate on the reasons why this mental cruelty is heaped upon us every two years or so. The main reason seems to be that it works. Twisting the truth and distorting reality have an impact on many voters, apparently in three ways.
The First Effect negative campaigning has is to embolden the hardcore supporters of the candidate making the attacks to support their candidate even more passionately, because their opponent looks like such a bad person. The Second Effect is to discourage supporters of the other candidate, in hopes they will drop away from the campaign. The Third Effect is to create disgust among uncommitted voters in general in the hope that they will be repulsed by the mudslinging and just stay home on Election Day.
The Third Effect seems to be the most important and sought-after, because if uncommitted voters simply stay away from the polls, the attacking candidate has an opportunity to get his/her hardcore supporters to the polls and win the election. This is especially true in the election cycle we are currently undergoing.
Many of the crucial races in the country are up for grabs. Many of the races that will decide which political party controls the reins of government for the next two years are within pollsters’ margins of error. The Democrats want very much to hold on to power, and Republicans want very much to regain the power they once enjoyed.
Given the publicly-stated positions and intentions of the two parties, it’s not an overstatement to describe the upcoming November 4 elections as utterly crucial to the future of our nation. Never have the differences between the two competing national parties been clearer. The lines separating the parties have never been brighter. The voters should be fired up like never before to march to the polls and cast a definitive vote.
That’s where the Third Effect comes in to play. If only that huge middle of uncommitted voters can be driven away from the polls by discouraging news and constant misinformation, the party faithful will have the chance to swing the election their way. The strategy is: if only the people with no political ax to grind can be kept from voting, an election can be won.
A voter can expect that type of behavior from unscrupulous candidates but the national news media, which have already proven themselves so untrustworthy in so many other ways, have pulled out all the stops in utilizing the Third Effect to sway this election. Just about every newspaper, every radio and television station, every cable news program, every politically-active Hollywood star has exploited the Third Effect in this election cycle.
They don’t want us to vote—especially, they don’t want Christians to vote. They know the impact we have had on other recent elections, and they’d prefer we sit this one out. That seems to be the new tactic for dealing with Christian and “values” voters: beat them down with so much bad news and dirty insinuations that they’ll just stay home on Election Day.
True enough, politicians have failed Christians in the past. They have courted us, used the proper code words, spoken to us of their deep faith, and then failed us. That will undoubtedly happen again.
We still must vote, even when the Third Effect is heaped upon us. If we care about the future of this country, we will make it to the polls on November 4 and we will vote. Not to do so is to give up on this great country, a gift from God Himself.
That should be all the reason we need to do what’s right.
(1) Comments | Permalink | Tell a Friend |This article is reprinted from the August 21, 2008, issue of “The Baptist Record” the newspaper of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.
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The life we desire vs. The life we live
Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on August 7, 2008 Biblical Values •
In honor of the upcoming Olympics, I had to post a blog that somewhat related. I don’t know about you, but when I hear our national anthem and see our fellow Americans competing, giving it all they’ve got in the sports they’ve trained years for, I get a little mushy inside.
It’s also sad that I tend to only feel this kind of patriotic pride when the Fourth of July rolls around, at a hometown high school football game, or when the Olympics come every four years. Every other time, I tend to complain and analyze the problems that exist and continue to grow inside the “walls” of our great nation—especially as it relates to believers.
This has got me to thinking about what we perceive is happening and what is really happening in the hearts of believers today. It’s interesting that as I’ve been pondering this, the Barna Research Group recently came out with a report detailing what Christians—depending on the type—want most in this life.
The reality they found is that evangelical Christians, those who have committed to a personal relationship with Jesus and hold theology and doctrine that aligns directly with the Bible, were the “only group among the dozen Christian segments among which at least 90% listed as many as 6 of the 19 future-life possibilities as being ‘very desirable.’”
The things they embrace? Good health, having a close, personal relationship with God, having a clear purpose in life, living with integrity, having one spouse for life, being committed to their faith, being active in church, and making a difference in the world.
So with all of this, where’s the point of disconnect among the congregants in our churches between desiring these things and actually living a life that displays these things in action as the Bible directs? Why is it hard for us to live out and actually believe the truths we’re being taught?
Being patriotic and all this week, I think this is something to consider in light of our upcoming election. Is there a point of disconnect for you from the time you grasp biblical truth—whether it be in church, your home, or somewhere else—to the point you step out into the real world and live? If so, how can you begin to change your way of thinking right now?
If you do, your whole life will change.
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The Good Citizenship Award
Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on August 5, 2008 Biblical Values •
The “Good Citizenship” award. I remember getting a few of those in elementary school for my good behavior. It seemed like a big deal at the time—but not so much now.
That seemingly simple grade school reward, which you also may have received yourself, really isn’t so simple today. Peter told first-century Christians to be good citizens of Rome and to pray for their Emperor. And, really, nothing has changed. The same message is true for us—especially as believers.
He said, “Submit to every human institution because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For it is God’s will that you, by doing good, silence the ignorance of foolish people. As God’s slaves, [live] as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Honor the Emperor” (1 Peter 2:13-17).
Peter told us to honor our leaders and live righteously. Our country and government should know that if they can count on anyone in this world to do something good—it should be the Church, the body of Christ.
Good citizenship isn’t about living a trouble-free, low-key life, hidden away in the shadows. No, it’s about improving our communities through good works, sharing Jesus in our daily relationships through our actions and words, and living in such a way that challenges unbelievers to at least think about God.
Do you spend time praying for our leaders every day? How often do you go out of your way to do good for those around you? We’re blessed to live freely in a nation full of opportunity. How often do you take advantage of that?
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