Bob Cornwall/Faith in the Public Square

The mail boxes and air waves are full of them. I'm talking about mudslinging political ads that imply that nothing good can come of the political process.

These ads are the product of cynicism; a cynicism of political operatives and consultants who believe they can spin every issue to their own advantage. Such politicos believe that election outcomes are best controlled when turnout is limited to the partisan core. By poisoning the political well the ads convince the rest of us to stay home on Election Day.

In a country like ours, leaving government in the hands of a partisan core is dangerous. We're supposed to be a nation of self-governed people; or at least we're supposed to govern ourselves through honest and effective representatives. But, over time we've become skeptical about the process. Daily scandal combined with a bombardment from the growing army of media outlets of conflicting messages creates within us a sense of doubt about whom and what to believe. Concluding that our choice is between the lesser of evils we either tune it all out or simply accept what we're told without asking any questions. This is also cynicism, a cynicism of the people who have given up.

Cynics often know the truth, but seeing no hope of change they work hard at keeping the status quo. Once in power the only object is to remain there, and what better way to do that than turn to mudslinging.

What is the opposite of cynicism? Jim Wallis, of Sojourners, may have gotten it right when he wrote that the opposite of cynicism is hope. This hope, he says, isn't a feeling, it's a spiritual choice.

“And the decision for hope is based on what you believe at the deepest levels - what your most basic convictions are about the world and what the world holds - all based on your faith. You choose hope, not as a naïve wish, but as a choice, with your eyes wide open to the reality of the world - just like the cynics who have not made the decision for hope” (“God's Politics,” 2005).

Now, by making this confession of faith with Wallis, I don't mean to say that unless you're a believer you're a cynic and without hope for the future. However, I do believe that there is something about faith in God that stirs within us a hope that can, if we let it, push us beyond the boundaries of the status quo.

If we're to emerge from the doldrums of our age, we must choose to abandon our cynicism and embrace a revolutionary idea. That revolutionary idea is simple - just one person can make a difference. If you're willing to stand up and be counted something good can happen. Maybe you can't resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by yourself or turn back global warming, but if we say no to the cynical voice within us and join with others who also want to make a difference then good things can happen.

Hope says no to the misleading political ads that clog our mail boxes and empowers us to think for ourselves about the big issues that face our community, nation, and world. Hope isn't easy feel-goodism. It's the radical belief that things can and should change. If we let the cynics have their way, we open ourselves up to the possibility of tyranny.

Several years ago Ken Boyd was the pastor of First Presbyterian Church. I never knew him, but I hear he wasn't the type to give in to cynicism. As a service to the community he and his church would host forums that allowed local candidates to share their hopes and dreams with voters. In keeping with Ken's vision, First Presbyterian Church and First Christian Church will hold the Ken Boyd Candidates Forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc (1600 Berkeley Dr.). Pastor Julia Leeth and I will lead the forum and allow the five participating candidates for City Council to speak to the important issues that face the community. Before you cast your vote, come and listen as each candidate speaks to his/her vision of the future of the city of Lompoc.

Dr. Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (www.lompocdisciples.org). He may be contacted at lompocdisciples@impulse.net or First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.

Oct. 29, 2006