A divided nation

Why is our *nation so divided? What are the factors? Some are external and objective (i.e. there are outside forces deliberately attempting to "divide and conquer" us [though some would say this is conspiracy theory]) but whatever external influences there are, these outside factors could not have influence or take hold if there were not subjective issues first. The following addresses the subjective.

Ultimately, the solution to our national woes is not political but spiritual.

For example, the government can put forth the right policy but if the individual hearts of men and women are not submitted to truth (or **recognize there is such a thing as objective truth and morality), right policy will not change their hearts (or their minds). They may comply but only to avoid the consequences, not because they agree.

Right policy only addresses external behavior, not the internal desire to live truthfully with integrity or even the recognition of an objective moral standard.

Without an objective standard such as loving God equal to his loveliness and treating others as you wish to be treated, you only have "every man for himself" with a commitment to doing what is right "in their own eyes" - i.e. your "moral" standard is your subjective values/beliefs and unchecked desires.

Should we engage in the political process and seek to implement right policy? Absolutely! But we must also recognize, given man's natural bent away from God, that until the hearts of individual men and women change right policy will only be looked at by many as an obstruction to happiness, not a means to it. 

We should be praying for our nation as much, if not more than we seek to promote right policy. Why? Because ultimately, only God can make a nation good. 

For more on the importance of praying for our nation click here.

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*Though I have America primarily in mind, the same need for spiritual focus applies to any country or group. 

**In order for unity to occur in a society or a nation (or any other social unit such as a company, a family, marriage or a church) there must be a commitment to the same primary values. In order for this to occur there must be the recognition that there is such a thing as absolute objective truth; that our values are not simply subjective; that there is such a thing as objective and absolute good and bad values. If they are only subjective, who decides what (or whose) values take priority over another i.e. there must be either an outside arbitrator or an objective standard. 

For a further discussion on the importance of values in the sociopolitical realm click here.