Christians and Politics Don't Always Mix

Like almost everyone, I get a few forwards every week in my email boxes with stories, videos and other media that support one cause or another. Most of them end with "don't let this end with you. Forward this to 10 friends or ______ will happen to you." (You can probably fill in the blank) I have noticed that as the political season is heating up, most of these forwards are becoming political announcements and denunciations of the candidates that are being supported or derided by them. In many cases these are from a "Christian" perspective or supposedly supporting "Christian values". I really think that Christians are called to a much higher standard than name calling and spreading political dirty tricks against candidates that we are not supporting. If a candidate that we do not support becomes the office holder, will we pray for that person with as much fervor as we passed along the hateful and sometimes dishonest information? On the national scene, the introduction of Sarah Palin into the mix has turned the presidential race upside down. In the avalanche of news reports, interviews, news commentator's assessment, etc., as a Christian, I am choosing to take the high road. I will not hate one candidate as I support another one. I will not be known as a Christian and then pass along information that confuses onlookers because my "living" doesn't match my "believing". One of our greatest callings at a time like this is to pray. I think in my praying, I can live out what Christ would expect of me in this political season.