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« January 29, 2005Birth of a Democracy?As I write this, it's already election day in Iraq. Unless the elections are a total failure (which seems unlikely), this day will be the most momentous in Iraq since the U.S. invasion nearly two years ago. I am reminded of the words of Benjamin Franklin at the U.S. Constitutional Convention: I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel... For those readers who are so inclined (and especially those who will be attending church services tomorrow), I urge you to pray for the Iraqi elections, for the safety of the voters, and the safety of US and Iraqi troops working to keep those voters safe from the terrorists. What occurs on this day will have far-reaching ramifications. Posted by Eric Seymour at January 29, 2005 08:50 PM CommentsBetter pray tonight - it's already tomorrow in Iraq. I agree with Eric's sentiment, however. The Iraqi people have been through too much, and are likely to go through much more - they deserve at the very least to have a smooth - and safe - election and a government of their own choosing (at least for the Shias and Kurds, at any rate). Posted by: Steve Ross at January 29, 2005 11:28 PM | permalink Better pray tonight - it's already tomorrow in Iraq. That's probably why Eric wrote this: "As I write this, it's already election day in Iraq." Posted by: Joshua Claybourn at January 29, 2005 11:30 PM | permalink But he also wrote "For those readers who are so inclined (and especially those who will be attending church services tomorrow), I urge you to pray for the Iraqi elections". By the time folks in the U.S. get to church tomorrow, it will already be too late to pray for the election... Posted by: Steve Ross at January 30, 2005 12:11 AM | permalink Posted by: Joshua Claybourn at January 30, 2005 12:13 AM | permalink As Josh notes, the need for prayer is ongoing. The counting of ballots, respect for the outcome, all of these things extend beyond the initial balloting. I don't know exactly what and how to pray for this election, but I trust Christ as my prayer intercessor. He will translate my feeble prayer into one of power. Posted by: Joel Thomas at January 30, 2005 12:18 AM | permalink I am curious how anyone can consider this election meaningful. Most candidates (parties) could not even go public with their platforms, much less their faces, due to fearful conditions. Even were there a 100% turnout, who would the voters be voting for? What would they vote for? The election is a sham, meaningful only to those who need a boost in their own polls. Posted by: Sky-Ho at January 30, 2005 09:34 AM | permalink Sky-Ho, Well certainly significantly more meaningful than elections held under Saddam. In a similar vein, Putin is something of a democracy disaster, but he is far better than Communism. Posted by: Joel Thomas at January 30, 2005 02:22 PM | permalink "Well certainly significantly more meaningful than elections held under Saddam." How? At least those voting for Saddam knew who they were voting for, or against. How does one vote for someone who never makes public their views? The only groups that can are those bankrolled by the US. The other 260 groups cannot. How is that a "democracy"? "In a similar vein, Putin is something of a democracy disaster, but he is far better than Communism." Okay, so you say a facist is better than communism? I'm not certain I understand the difference. |
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