False Dilemma and word games…

Election, comes from the Latin Electio which also means “choice” in English.

I find it amazing that people actually believe that when they elect someone they are not approving of the person specifically.

As if choosing that person meant something completely different somehow.

They believe that their vote is not an acknowledgement that they agree with the person’s character that they are choosing but instead they perceive it is a decision stating that they do not like the other choice. This is typically because that person falsely believes in the logical fallacy that in any election there is only two choices.

“Vote”, as per Strong’s, comes from the Latin Voveo which also means “vow” in English.  “Vow”, as per Webster’s 1828, means “a solemn promise made to God, or by a pagan to his deity. The Roman generals when they went to war, sometimes made a vow that they would build a temple to some favorite deity, if he would give them victory. A vow is a promise of something to be given or done hereafter. A person is constituted as religious by taking three vows, of chastity, of poverty, and of obedience. Among the Israelites, the vows of children were not binding, unless ratified by the express or tacit consent of their father. Numbers 30:2. A vow is a solemn promise; as the vows of unchangeable love and fidelity. In a moral and religious sense, vows are promises to God, as they appeal to God to witness their sincerity, and the violation of them is a most heinous offense.”

So the etymology of “Vote” is strongly rooted in a very serious commitment essentially made before God or with God.

Then there is yet another problem with words.

I have been accused of being “fearful” of Donald Trump. I was even encouraged to check out a Face Book Page called ‘FaithTrumpsFear’. This invite was based on the assumption that I was fearful and not having faith. This is interestingly ironic in that those who typically accuse me of being fearful are actually fearful themselves, of Hillary. In fact I have been told by many people that they were afraid of Hillary and what she can do to us. Some say that they are more afraid of Hillary than Donald so they choose to embrace the non-Christian concept of choosing between the lesser of two evils.  No doubt Hillary is evil but a Christian should not be afraid of anyone other than God.

People are confused in their thinking and are wrongly defining Trump or supporting Trump as being a matter of faith. As noted above they are not doing so in faith but they are truly being motivated by fear which they illogically accuse folks like me who point out the factual inconsistencies in this man and his ungodly character. We are In fact told to wary of men such as him, of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Even with a lifetime history of back and forth public statements regarding his shaky ideology people still want to insist that this man is going to be their savior. That somehow he is going to save this country. We do not need a vulgar, unregenerate man or woman to be the ones we choose.

The false dilemma involved here is called a false dichotomy. It is the deceptive notion that we only have two choices. We do indeed have a third choice in this case and that is silence. When we abstain from choosing amongst the ungodly we are in essence choosing God.

Notice below the three choices that Joshua gave the people? These were, the gods their father served, the gods of the Amorites or the Lord…We have essentially the same choices.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

Here are some scriptures that speak clearly about fear and how we ought to conduct ourselves regarding fear…this is just so we can get this straight…

And his disciples came to him , and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. [26] And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. [27] But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! Matthew 8:25-27 KJV

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. [27] What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. [28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:26-31 KJV

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. [5] But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Luke 12:4-5 KJV

Do not fear but instead seek Jesus:

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: [4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men . [5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. Matthew 28:2-7 KJV

Don’t fear, instead seek after God’s Kingdom:

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? [29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. [30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. [31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. [32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:27-34 KJV

We need to stop being fearful…

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15 KJV