Left, Right & Center

-George Vilgi Oommen

As I write this column in the USA, the news of Ron Desantis, the Governor of Florida announcing his presidential campaign is all over the headlines. Mr. Desantis is considered a strong challenger to President Donald Trump to win the party nomination to contest for president of the country.

In 2024, the biggest democratic country (India) and the oldest democratic country (USA) are heading towards a general election to elect their supreme leader. Since the rise of social media, political leaders and parties have been using it as an important tool to influence voters. It is estimated that political spending in the 2020 election totaled around $10 billion in the United States. Election season is also a time of polarization and division in the society. Nowadays, election campaigns online thrive by spreading misinformation and stoking fear. As a child of God, we have to stay vigilant and careful during election times. In every season of life, we are called to be a witness for Christ (even when the people around us are not cheering for the candidate/party we are supporting!).

I am concluding by sharing a few important points to keep in mind whenever you are facing an election season in your country. Or maybe your country is not run democratically, but these points can still be helpful to you.

- No manmade system of governance is perfect (including Democracy!)

- The Bible is not aligned with right, left of centrist view. Christian worldview has its own identity.

- No matter who is in charge of the country, God is the one in control over everyone. Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.”

- Our love for fellow human beings cannot be dependent on their political beliefs. Jesus died on the cross for everyone!

- If you have more passion and love for a political candidate/party than for Jesus and the gospel, it’s time to rethink about your life as a Christian.