Politics Is Not The Solution | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Politics Is Not The Solution

With the upcoming elections, it is so tempting to despair and panic, but that's not what God wants.

7
Politics Is Not The Solution
CNN

With the presidential debate still fresh in everyone's minds, everyone is very strongly feeling the impending doom of the election in November. Especially as Catholics, it feels like either presidential candidate is going to lead to the dystopian novels and movies we take such thrill from but would never advocate.

It's so easy to despair, but here is an important reminder:

Politics is not the solution.

We can easily assume that having the perfect political system will solve all our societal problems. Likewise, having the worst possible political leaders will be the end of the world. However, I think we need to change our perspective: God is the solution. Not politics. Placing our trust in God instead of politics will bring us to peace. Politics never will bring us lasting peace. And yes, we should always uphold our country and promote a political system that does not oppose religious freedom; however, it's not an end in itself. It's certainly a means to happiness, but it does not guarantee it.

Likewise, we should never despair nor lose our calm if the United States government goes downhill in a major avalanche after the presidential elections. Look to the early Christian martyrs as an example. They had no religious freedom whatsoever. All worship took place in secret. They were threatened with horrific deaths by a society that strongly promoted sex and other worldly pleasures. And yet, Christianity thrived. There are so many parallels with the Roman Empire and modern society today, and I'd like to think that if Christianity could thrive with a political and societal structure such as ancient Rome, it can thrive today.

See, we've been graced with religious freedom and we can take our faith for granted. Many of us have lived mediocre Christian lives, and having to defend one's faith, even with the threat of death, is as foreign as it gets. Perhaps God is allowing this political trial in order to push us to embrace the faith with a greater fervency, in order that we no longer take our faith and beliefs for granted.

God allows evil to bring about a greater good. Good can come out of this election, but we need to trust in God. No more jokes about moving to Canada if Clinton gets elected. No more despairing. Let's stand unwavering, confident that even through the trials and suffering which are inevitably to come, good will prevail and Christianity will thrive.

So I challenge you all to pray for the strength to trust in God and to reflect on the actions of former saints who suffered under political and societal persecution.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Drake
Hypetrak

1. Nails done hair done everything did / Oh you fancy huh

You're pretty much feeling yourself. New haircut, clothes, shoes, everything. New year, new you, right? You're ready for this semester to kick off.

Keep Reading...Show less
7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.

Keep Reading...Show less
singing
Cambio

Singing is something I do all day, every day. It doesn't matter where I am or who's around. If I feel like singing, I'm going to. It's probably annoying sometimes, but I don't care -- I love to sing! If I'm not singing, I'm probably humming, sometimes without even realizing it. So as someone who loves to sing, these are some of the feelings and thoughts I have probably almost every day.

Keep Reading...Show less
success
Degrassi.Wikia

Being a college student is one of the most difficult task known to man. Being able to balance your school life, work life and even a social life is a task of greatness. Here's an ode to some of the small victories that mean a lot to us college students.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

6 Signs You're A Workaholic

Becuase of all things to be addicted to, you're addicted to making money.

488
workaholic
kaboompics

After turning 16, our parents start to push us to get a job and take on some responsibility. We start to make our own money in order to fund the fun we intend on having throughout the year. But what happens when you've officially become so obsessed with making money that you can't even remember the last day you had off? You, my friend, have become a workaholic. Being a workaholic can be both good and bad. It shows dedication to your job and the desire to save money. It also shows that you don't have a great work-life balance. Here are the signs of becoming a workaholic.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments