Bob Nicholas

You know the one, and perhaps you are that person. Are you the one who forwards email upon email of propaganda about political candidates and public officials? Perhaps in conversation you pass on a comment that Hussein means terrorist. Or perhaps you say something like, “I hope Hilary rots in hell.”

I’m overwhelmed with frustration at Christians who behave like pagans when it comes to propaganda, written or spoken, about public officials. I call this Political Porn.

Thank about it. Porn. For a man porn is a lustful viewing of women scantily clad, naked, or otherwise. Porn is a fixation, a disease that is ruining marriages, relationships, and ruining the lives of men all over the world. Why is Porn so attractive to people? What is so exciting about someone that can’t be touched or personally seen? The problem is that porn stars are dehumanized. They are objects of men’s affection. They are not viewed as created by God, but rather viewed as created for man. And each man addicted thinks they were created for him alone. (Note: I know women struggle with this as well)

So born is the term Political Porn. Political porn is a dehumanizing of political candidates and public officials. It is an objectization of a creation of God for man’s pleasure. We receive and send mass emails of propaganda showing pictures, making jokes, and tearing down the “object” running for President or whatever office.

Why do we do this? Because they disagree with our views? Because Barak is for a national health care program and I’m not. Or because McCain does not think we should remove troops immediately and I do? What has this person done that is so profane that “WE” are exempt from God’s law to love our neighbors?

Today I received an email from a co-worker that I don’t know well. I’ll just say that we disagree with evangelistic methods and many other issues of faith. The email I received was titled “That moment just before the pain begins.” It had been forwarded among many people prior to me receiving it. There are pictures of bikers, sports players, bull fights, etc., showing the moment prior to some great injury. At the end there is a pic like this:

This is a calm example of Political Porn. Other examples I have received lately are scathing emails about Hilary or Barak. I’m sure there are emails about McCain in this manner as well.

There is also Political Soft Porn, in which you receive emails for a candidate that lie about things he has done, or perhaps don’t say the other candidate is a crook, but lead toward that.

Folks, I’m sick and tired of Christians forgetting our faith when it comes to politics. I’ve asked many people to not send me any more political porn and I encourage you to do so as well. Leave this junk to the pagans. Let’s focus on lives of piety, study and action rooted in faith and sustained by the Holy Spirit. Christ died for you, me AND Hilary Clinton, Barak Obama, and John McCain. Let’s act like we believe that.