Political jokes

By Thomas Abernathy

Bushisms

Political Jokes There are no shortage of jokes about President Bush; nor about other leaders or presidential candidates. You hear them from the office to the living room from the newspapers to late-night talk shows. We even got another new word, Bushism, added to our slang. This is nothing new. There have been satiricle cartoons about political figures in America for nearly as long as the printing press.

Political Corruption

These jokes may be told in fun but stem from disappointment in our leaders. With all the mistakes, lies, and scandals within our government there is much to be unhappy about. This is nothing new either. The bible shows us that as long as there have been governing bodies on earth there have been corruptions within them. This is really of little wonder. One must not forget that Satan, the prince of this world, does not reserve his influences for the working class alone.

Speaking out

When we get fed up with the way things are we will speak out. Proactively we may do this using the media, meetings, representatives, or our votes. These methods involve thought out discussion or debate, allow for reason and can even educate.

There are other means used to show our discontent. Theses are not proactive. They include grumbling, complaining, finger pointing, and accusations. More often than not these remarks are made before being fully educated on the subject. You may have even noticed that many remarks are taken out of context or even outright slander.

Vote

How a leader is appointed is not the same in every country. Since I am in the U.S. I will speak on that. Though flawed we do have a process in which we vote for our leaders. Not everyone can be pleased by the outcome of an election. You may have seen the bumper-stickers claiming "Don't blame me. I didn't vote for him." If you listen to political analyst you hear that there are many factors that determine who will get the deciding vote. There is one factor you never hear them mention.

Divine Appointment

To find this ultimate deciding factor we must turn to our Bibles. I mentioned above that we vote for our leaders. You may even be tired of all the media long before the presidential elections. At risk of controversy or sounding plain stupid I will now say that is not exactly how we get our leaders. What I am talking about is no secret. Many of you reading already know what I mean. Love them or not all powers are ordained by God.

Romans 13:1

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. KJV

Gods word goes on to tell us that not only has he ordained these powers but we are to be subject to them.

Romans 13:2-7

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. KJV

I Peter 2

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. KJV

Daniel and his friends set an example when dealing with Nebuchadnezzar. David gave an example when dealing with Saul. These men were obedient. They showed humility and submitted to their authorities. Only when obeying their kings meant disobeying God did they refuse. Our prime example is Christ who was obedient to the point of death.

Read 1 Samuel, Daniel, and the gospels of the New Testament to see these examples spelled out. Their faith is inspiring and God's blessings upon them are heart warming.

Read further I Peter 2:20-25 to see Christ example.

This may seem strange in light of corruption, lies, and scandals that go on. Never the less God's will is done though whomever He chooses. Remember the bible says "All are sinners."

Freedom is No Joke

In the United States we enjoy freedoms that many in this world do not. One of the freedoms in this country that is most envied is the Freedom of Speech. You have probably heard the phrase "With freedom comes responsibility." This is more true than you may think. Here is something that may never enter many peoples minds. The Constitution may allow us to tell jokes about the president. It even allows us to bad mouth him. The thing is that if we do we put ourselves on the side of unrighteousness and bring damnation on ourselves. This is not spiritual speculation but Biblical fact.

II Peter 2:9-11

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. KJV

That is just the beginning. Peter goes on to say that such people are no better that beast to be destroyed and perish. This practice so widespread and overlooked that instead of trying to save space I will show the rest of the scripture.

II Peter 2:12-22

12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. KJV

As you can see this is no laughing matter. Many articles on writing for the web tell you to be short and to the point. Clearly I have broken that rule. Now I am going to obliterate it. Peter's message is mirrored in the book of Jude. Instead of using excerpts I am including the entire scripture. It starts at verse 8.

Jude 1:8-25

8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen. KJV

Pray for our leaders

I have shown what God says not to do concerning our leaders. What remains is to show what He says we should do. We are to pray for them and for all men.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. KJV

If your eyes are now strained I apologize. Just remember I did it out of love. smilie