Wikipedia borrowed their definition of the slippery slope argument from the article Learning to Reason Clearly by Understanding Logical Fallacies at MaketheStand.com, July 19, 2007. It reads---
A slippery slope argument (SSA), in logic, critical thinking, political rhetoric, and
case-law, is a consequentialist logical device in which a party asserts that a
particular result will probably (or even must inevitably) follow from a given
decision or circumstance, without necessarily providing any rational argument or
demonstrable mechanism for the likelihood of the assumed consequence. A
slippery slope argument proposes that a relatively small first step leads to a chain
of related events culminating in some significant (usually negative) effect, much
like an object given a small push over the edge of a slope sliding all the way to
the bottom.
You know, it's the snowball rolling downhill illustration that we've all used to depict the result of making small allowances in our children's behavioral guidelines. Or, the domino effect. Or, the reality of giving an inch and someone taking a mile. It's what we used to talk about as we've observed re-definition of our moral base, the slippery slope of moral decline. But, that was then and this is now. The slippery slope has left the building. Now we standing on a precipice. There's no slide here. it's a sheer plunge over the edge, a moral plummet.
Eight years of liberal, progressive government under the Obama administration has weakened our nation in every respect. One of the questions I'm asking as I deliberate my vote this November is weather or not we can bear eight more years of this same digression? It's a good question, and not one motivated by fear or dread. We are a resilient people and our nation has endured these kinds of challenges before. Even more, our God is faithful and sovereign. Our approach as believers must be one of hope and vision, trusting his leadership in all things. As someone said a number of years ago in a testy election season, the question isn't who rules in the White House, but who rules my house. Us conservative, evangelicals aren't fear mongers but rest in his peace and have hopeful, visionary aspirations for life, our country included.
No, a sense of Christian stewardship and responsibility raises this question. As a citizen, even more as a Christian citizen, I must find my place of influence in this strange election process and ask pertinent questions that will help shape my decisions about my role in this election. And, the questions are many. Up front is the basic question about how much longer we can endure the moral and governmental decline that has defined us over the pat eight years.
Google the condition of our nation over the last eight years and you'll discover thousands of opinions about the effects of Mr. Obama's presidency on the leading indicators of our nations health. One was an article at Charisma News about the destructive force of government policy under this president's tenure as our national leader. They noted five areas of major decline during the past eight years---
1. The military
2. Marriage and family
3. Radical Islam and terrorism
4. The economy and national debt
5. Illegal immigration and prisoner release
The article outlines the mournful reality of declines in these five areas of concern. Space doesn't allow me to detail them here. But, you can review this article by clicking right here. Once again, these truths aren't a matter of fear or dread about the future. This material isn't a "woe is me" scenario. But, the information is useful in helping me to decide how my stewardship of the franchise is to be best used. As a believer, I cannot turn my back on them.
Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-14 are more than intellectual grist for our personal contemplation. They are provided to equip us to bring Christian values to the government system. They are our guidance in relating to those who lead our nation. My personal take is that these verses, and many others, should propel active involvement in government, not passive. As a result, sitting on the sidelines just doesn't resonate with me. They propel me to take an active interest in the way our nation functions, including posing significant questions.
One verse stirs me deeply. it's been a point of deliberation over the past few weeks and gives me a different view of what happens in that voting booth. Paul wrote to the Colossians---
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17, ESV
The "whatever" and "everything" of that text registers something profound in me right now. Even my vote, and my preparation for it, are significant. And, even more so, if the slippery slope has in fact left the building.