I have been hearing alot about the present upheaval in Kenya. If you haven't heard about it check it out here. There are thousands who are homeless, and hundreds who have died all because of a presidential election which seems to have been tampered with. This created much anger with the opposing party and has seemed to raise deep tribal confict to the surface. There doesn't seem to be any stop to the violence any time soon. Kenya has been recently looked at by many pro-democracy westerners as a shining example that democracy can work in a politically and culturally complicated region such as Africa. However, the status now is showing that it is not as simple as that.

In light of the current situation, I am beginning to wonder if I support the exportation of democracy to every country. Does democracy fit in every context? It doesn't seem to fit in Kenya and other tribally charged countries, nor does it seem to fit in many of the middle eastern countries. Yet, as a good American, one that sees how it has "kind of" worked here, I am supposed to be in support of the wholesale distribution of democracy. I am beginning to be skeptical.

And then, I remember, that I am not first of all supposed to think as an American, but as a Christian. As a Christian, a follower of Jesus of Nazareth and a member of his church, who claimms his life death and resurrection as the culminating event of history, believing that all things are being redeemed through him, (phew, this is a long sentence), what should my stance be with exporting western democracy? Can democracy get in the way of the gospel, which transforms individuals and lives? Can democracy be seen by non-westerners as so closely attached to Christianity and the gospel in America, that they see no difference between the two? Is there a difference between the two? For some American Christians to say that democracy is not the right fit in some situations would be like spitting on the Bible. Is thhe church seen as just another exporter of democracy or the transformative people of God being used in all situations?

Just some thoughts. I will think more on these things.

Well, the 2008 Presidential Race officially begins this evening. That means that as a responsible person...I must begin to attempt to learn who these candidates are and inform myself on their stances. If I am honest I would admit that I don't particularly like to vote in our 2 party political system, for I am always feeling as if I am voting for the lesser of two evils.

I am not the only one that feels this way and different people deal with this fact differently. Some choose to tow the party line, and not deal with candidates specific beliefs and convictions, only worrying about whether "their team" wins. I do not have loyalties with either the donkey or the pacaderm, so I don't have a team, and therefore I don't have team loyalties. In fact, I believe that many times both groups are going in the same direction, one is just going faster than the other. So, without allegiance, I attempt to focus on the specific people running for office. It is admittedly harder this way. I have to pay attention to the way politicians have voted, what they have voted for. I have to read their publications, listen to their speeches, giving fair treatment to each, while listening with a discerning ear. In this age of "spin" it is hard to get a grasp of who each person is.

Others deal with our flawed system by not participating at all. Rather than giving their support to a candidate that they "disagree with less" than the other candidates, they just don't give their support. I can understand this, and I have actually done that before. However, as I a follower of Jesus and a believer that through him God is redeeming this world, and wants us to be a part of it, I can not sit on the sidelines. I am compelled to participate, even though I know that my vote is only one, I can make a difference. So, even though the system we have only gives us two real choices, (since no independent has a realistic chance), I participate in this flawed system, with the hope and prayer that my participation can make a difference.

So, I will begin researching, reading, listening, and comparing. I will do some of it here, and would love for others' advice, input, and info. Maybe together we can work out who is the best of the available.