I was just thinking about - - -
One of the Presidential candidates has been on the defensive this past week over his use of the word “bitter”. The result has been to increase a level of “bitterness” among the candidates. Missed is whether or not people who have lost their employment and who have little prospect of new industry developing in their area become “bitter” and turn to guns and religion for whatever either can afford them. The guns reference could possibly indicate one of two possibilities: (a) turning to a life of crime to meet personal and familial needs, or (b) turning to hunting to provide food and sustenance for self and family. The waters get muddied when one candidate accuses another of being “elitist” because of the statement especially when the truth probably is that neither of the candidates cares all that much about the gravity of the unemployed. The mantra is: “Vote for me – I have a government program for you!” Cynical? Yes! Likely? Yes!
The word “bitterness” has a varied meaning: 1) The quality or state of being bitter, sharp, or acrid, in either a literal or figurative sense; implacableness; resentfulness; severity; keenness of reproach or sarcasm; deep distress, grief, or vexation of mind; 2) A state of extreme impiety or enmity to God; 3) An ingredient in a mixed alcoholic beverage. Interestingly, there is a Biblical reference to each of the above definitions in the Webster Unabridged Dictionary. The Book of Job 7:11, “I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”; Acts 8:23, “Thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”; Hebrews 12:15, "Looking diligently…lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you.” An overview directive is Ephesians 4:30-32, “Put all bitterness away from you” – it grieves the Spirit of God.
If one has the time for a Google Search, one will find all kinds of Scriptural Reference to Bitterness. And in that Search, one will also find the danger in the remark in terms of what people turn to (guns and religion) when they become bitter and frustrated. Many are indicating this is the tone of Socialism and Marxism. After all, wasn’t it Karl Marx who declared that religion is “the opiate of the people”- in the original German: “Die Religion...ist das Opium des Volkes.” This Just might be the inner Political Philosophy of a candidate that is bleeding through the veneer of lofty rhetoric. If so, the response and reaction is similar to the Synonyms listed in Roget’s II: The New Thesaurus, namely, “acrimony, embitterment, gall, rancor, resentfulness, virulence…” It certainly has produced and is producing such attitudes. And if continued, it will fester and poison both the individual and our culture.
Years ago, a now long-forgotten comedian, Jack Paar, shared this observation on the political choices of his day: “I’ve decided not to vote for any of them anymore – all it does is encourage them.” It almost seems as though there is a modicum of truth to that comment. There is a basic and urgent need for representation in our government where there is the purpose for us to be “One nation, under God”, and this is the Almighty God! Not Allah! Not Buddha! Not anyone or anything else but The One True Triune God in Whom we can correctly and confidently move forward declaring and meaning: “In God We Trust!”
You Think about that with me - - -
1 comment:
What if one was originally religious and became bitter, and turned to politics as his solution? Now where can he turn? Poor Obama - his pastor must not have been teaching him correctly. One should not turn to religion when the give up on politics. Politics was never the answer. God is first -- always. He will not disappoint, He is not an elitist. All who are weary and heavy laden may freely come to Him. There is never bitterness when you chase after the right solution.
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