Being an American missionary in a European country, politics is a topic that is brought up nearly daily. It is also a topic that I tried to avoid at (nearly) all cost. I do this for several reasons.
1.Most of the political discussions revolve around the current war and the reasons behind it. I do not know the answers to those questions, all I have is speculation, which is all they have. Therefore the conversation is often more destructive than it is constructive.
2.Most of the political news they get is very one-sided, the major channels are all partied owned. Not saying that what they hear and know has no truth to it, but that they don’t see any of the other side. There is such a large gap in information that I just cannot fill.
3.From my experience, the people here are very politically minded and hold very strong to their beliefs. They are not asking your opinion to see another side or to debate the topic to come to the right conclusion, they are asking for you opinion to see if you agree with them and if not, to make you.
4.This is the big one. I am not here as an Ambassador of America the Great or of George W. I am here as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ. Political discussions are usually counter productive in the shadow of the cross.
Therefore, when I am asked my opinion of George W. or Iraq, or America’s thirst for power, oil or whatever, I simply reply like this:
I’m not here to talk politics; I’m here to talk about Jesus. What is your opinion of him?