George,

A few years ago, sensory deprivation tanks were one of the fads in New York. People would lie down and float in a strong solution of Epsom salts in a lightless, soundless chamber. Right now, I think that might be one of the few ways to escape the barrage of political messages assaulting everyone in the United States.

Television, radio, mail, e-mail, leafleteers in the streets, pollsters on the phone—every means of communication is being used to sway voters one way or another. And I'm using the word sway deliberately. I don't feel there is always a strong urge to inform people, but simply a desire to sway their emotions or opinions toward or against the various candidates.

Sway has a negative feeling to me. It suggests someone is trying to manipulate me. Have you ever felt that way? It's not a comfortable feeling. And when it comes to something as important as electing government leaders, manipulation is the last thing I want.

Whether it's a matter of settling things in my own mind, voting in a primary, or voting in the general election—I yearn to have a rational, intelligent approach to the process. For me, this requires that I get out of the storm of political passions. I'm not going to seek out one of those sensory deprivation tanks, though. I need that undisturbed place of which Jesus spoke when he was teaching his students how to pray (see Matt. 6:6). He said, "Enter into your closet and shut your door." Of course, he didn't mean this literally. But as a spiritual metaphor, his prompting can signify making the effort to have a quiet time where the passions and feelings about the political process are shut out and silenced—including one's own preconceptions about different candidates.

There is a reason for this. I find the most important requirement during a political campaign is intelligence. If I can have an intelligent, well-thought-out approach to the election and candidates, I feel I can vote more wisely. I start by asking myself some questions. For example, What qualities of character do I feel are essential in a leader? What kind of experience do I feel is needed at this time of history? Are there particular values I want a candidate to uphold?

We all have different priorities, but for me these come before the more highly debated issues. I like the Bible's instruction, "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace" (Ps. 37:37). Yes, perfection is a pretty high standard. But the Bible's instruction makes me think more about this point. In an election, people are seeking someone with the qualities that are needed to help bring a greater measure of progress, opportunity, justice, equality, and security to the daily lives of everyone.

Next, I think about the leading issues—those dealing with the economy, national security, equal rights for all citizens, education, and so on. I ask myself what I think are the best approaches to these issues. What solutions or ideas I like the best.

Then when I've done this, I reexamine the candidates to see which one comes closest to the points I feel are most important. I've never found a candidate that completely fitted my profile. But I've found it worthwhile to look carefully to see who comes closest.

The main advantage to this is that it allows a person to separate himself or herself from mental manipulation. I've often been surprised by the results of this exercise, because in the past I've found that the candidate who came closest to my views in many cases was not one on the top of my list before going through this process. Often charisma, negative advertising, public opinion, had all contributed to swaying me toward a candidate who didn't actually reflect my true views.

Mary Baker Eddy described this tendency in the beginning of a booklet she wrote titled No and Yes. "Small streams are noisy and rush precipitately; and babbling brooks fill the rivers till they rise in floods, demolishing bridges and overwhelming cities. So men, when thrilled by a new idea, are sometimes impatient; and, when public sentiment is aroused, are liable to be borne on by the current of feeling. They should then turn temporarily from the tumult, for the silent cultivation of the true idea and the quiet practice of its virtues. When the noise and stir of contending sentiments cease, and the flames die away on the mount of revelation, we can read more clearly the tablets of Truth" (p. 1).

I suspect most people would agree that it's not healthy to be carried away by the currents of human opinion. Mental manipulation is not a positive force. So it's good be alert to it and counter its influence. In the midst of public stir, people can choose to "turn . . . from the tumult" and think things through more quietly, looking for inspiration from God on what to look for and value in a candidate. They can be conscious of the spiritual guidance that is available to them from God, who is Truth.

The Bible speaks so frequently of the wisdom of the Lord as the source of all wisdom, that it was natural for Mrs. Eddy to write about God as divine Mind—a resource for us all. There's a proverb that reads, "The Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6). Because of this, every one of us has the divinely given ability to think clearly and to reach intelligent decisions. It's natural to seek this spiritual intelligence. It's natural to be guided by it.

Now, no one is probably going to get a message reading, "God says vote for Mr. or Mrs. X." And it would be unwise to proclaim this to others—especially since we all are the recipients of God's gift of wisdom and understanding. After all, it's because of this that each of us has the ability to think through issues clearly and to draw our own conclusions.

But here are some suggestions as to what any of us can do as voters-not only to find our own guidance but also to help neighbors and our fellow citizens find theirs:

* Free ourselves from the smoke and mirrors of manipulation.
* Discern the true character of people soliciting your vote.
* Use your ability from God to make effective decisions.
* Don't let other people do your thinking for you.
* Try quiet, conscientious prayer.

Bim Webb (electronic mail, October 13, 2004)