The Politics of Fear

Great politicians use fear to direct and to unify their followers. I don't think it is a legitimate or ethical ploy, but it works wonders in the political realm. People and groups who would ordinarily fight each other will unite to fight a common fear. In fact, fear is a better unifier than love. Morally or ethically, with few exceptions and for many reasons, I do not believe that fear is a good unifier. But from a pragmatic point of view it works well for the short run.

I find it interesting that when Jesus sent out his disciples, he told them not to fear those who had power to kill them. Today politicians create fantom fears about the economy, fellow politicians and about the direction of the country in order to unite their followers in fear and anger. They promise to be the ones who can solve the problems and calm the fears of the followers, but once in office life goes on as usual and little if any real change happens.

Now the point I am making is simple: Fear guides our actions. Hitler knew this and told the Germans that Poland had begun a war and the Germans stepped up to invade Poland. The U.S. was told that North Viet Nam had already begun shooting at American ships when they had not, so Americans quickly backed the decision to invade North Viet Nam. In these cases the politicians used fear and anger to get what they wanted. Although fear may help create certain actions, it may do the opposite. Fear can hold us back from doing what we should.

The disciples faced real life threatening situations and Jesus told them not to be afraid but to preach boldly. Their fear was based in reality, many of them did face extreme persecution and even death for talking about and following Jesus. Jesus told them not to be afraid but to speak boldly. Why? Because God loved them and cared for them.

Jesus told them not to be afraid because fear would hold them back from doing the right thing.