Vote for Me!

Having already partially violated the taboo against discussing religion and politics, I might as well go all the way by expressing some thoughts on the latter. Anywhere there are people there is going to be politics, the word having its origins in the ancient Greek polis, meaning a state or society having a sense of community; Plato then develops this into statesman. It seems to me that politics becomes more pronounced in a competitive environment than in a cooperative one simply because it is one means to achieving superiority and control. It was Jesus’ apolitical mindset that drove his contemporaries crazy just as it has continued to frustrate generations of hopeful disciples since. The first shall be last, the greatest is the least; these are concepts utterly incompatible with the competitive spirit. That Jesus’ “victory” was achieved through submitting to crucifixion rather than conquering his foes continues to mystify. The long and the short of it is that the Church failed early on to embrace its Savior’s apolitical way and became paramount among political institutions. So, not only do I find myself having to authenticate my calling through academic achievement but through participating in the politics of power.