The e-mail is coming, rumors circulated, and Internet and Face Book gossip grows. Although I make every effort to avoid listening to all the stuff that said and the innuendos filling my e-mail inbox, the effort is futile.

In the material I am deleting daily from my computer are assertions that one candidate has had dalliances with women or men who are not their legal partners. We get rumors that one candidate or another is not a loyal citizen, but is a member of a secret group plotting the downfall of the American government.

Troubled by the material that comes in from spurious sources about candidates and claiming no relationship with the opposing candidate’s campaign I believe (no, I know) some of this stuff is vilely malicious and slanderous. It is lies built on lies and if repeated often enough, it becomes a “truth.” A truth on which people use to support their vote in November.

It is my observation that the people running for high public office are people of integrity. That does not mean that every aspect of their personal lives is without fault or flaw. What I look for mostly is ability and effectiveness. My question is not what sort of hero the candidate is but instead what kind of leadership the candidate will provide.

My main concern is about the gossip, the rumors, and the slander that fills the internet, the airways, the mail, and our political discussions. The Scriptures teach that we should not kill or murder another human being. Some may think this is a stretch of ideas. However, malicious gossip, malicious rumor, and hateful stuff that come to us through the internet is murder!

The destruction of a person’s character and integrity is the same as murder. That is why gossip is so dangerous and hurtful. Further, in the mind of God, I believe such behavior places the gossipers and those who spread the gossip and their immortal souls in danger.

What I want to do during this election time is to talk about what is good for us as a nation and as a society. I want to think about the important issues of our time. I am not interested in the candidates’ religion, their histories as a child or college student. We all have histories of some sort; some of our histories should never again see the light of day. Remember,Jesusaccuses us all of being sinful in one way or another. Then he tells us that if we are truly without sin, we can cast the first stone. No one can do that no one is not with a history of sin.

So, please don’t send me an email about one candidate or another that is rumor, malicious gossip, or reflects submerged racism, sexism, or in tolerance. The time has come when we can finally cast aside the terrible words spoken, written, or implied about a person who giving her – or himself and family as a candidate for high office. Let us respect them for their willingness to serve.