Presidential Election and Friendship: Some Words of Advice!
As we continue to experience this very sensitive topic we call “Presidential election” and the battle for the White House between Mr. Donald Trump and Mrs. Hillary Clinton, allow me to quickly share a few words of advice with you on the subject matter: Presidential election and friendship.
- It is okay (Should I say tolerable) for you and your friend to hold competing perspectives about politics. All of us hold different ideologies and ideas about social, economic, and political issues–even cultural and religious ones. We are firm about our beliefs and will not let them go. Some of them are helpful and human uplifting; others are unhealthy and unconstructive.
- Do not unfriend your friend on Facebook or stop following him/her–on whatever social media:twitter, wordpress, blogger, instagram, what have you?-because you just found out on a post that he/she will vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in this year’s presidential election. Mrs. Hillary Clinton or Mr. Donald Trump will be elected as our next President for only 4 yrs, if lucky, 8 yrs in reelection. Good and genuine friendship endures and lasts a little bit longer than the temporary presidential post.
- Watch your tongue! Keep your heart pure! Have I said to control your temper too?
- Do not demonize your friend or shame him or her on a public post! Be respectful and kind to all, especially your friends. After all, he/she is your friend. Donald or Hillary is not and probably will never befriend you.
- You have been trying to persuade your friend to vote for Hillary or Donald for a while now. It is not working. Give it up! Let the person choose and vote according to his or her conscience to the glory of God.
- Do not let your friendship with someone you love and care for fall apart because of political difference or over this year’s presidential choice. It takes a lot of time to nurture and cultivate genuine friendship.
- It is okay to be a Christian and be a democrat. Remember your faith is in no one or nothing else but in Jesus Christ.
- It is okay to be a Christian and be a republican. Remember your faith is in no one or nothing else but in Jesus Christ.
- It is okay to be a Christian and be an independent voter. Remember your faith is in no one or nothing else but in Jesus Christ.
- If your conscience is not clear about a particular presidential candidate, it is not unbiblical if you decide not to vote in this year’s presidential election. There’s no biblical mandate that you have to vote in order to fulfill your civic duty as a christian of the Kingdom of God and citizen of the United States. God will not send you to hell nor will he disown you as his child. In the same line of thought, always remember God is not a republican or a democrat.
*For propositions 5-10, I take for granted most of my readers are followers of Christ.
To the glorious praise of the Triune and Eternal God!
Rev. Dr. Celucien L. Joseph
President
Hope for Today Outreach
Hope For Today Outreach ("REMEMBER THE POOR"-- GALATIANS 2 :10) 