Voting and Christians

VCViking · Aug 11, 2012

Where in the Bible does it say Christians have to vote? Are there any verses where it says we have to, must or should vote?

Just to point out, I am voting but I here some Christians say they are not going to vote and others say as a Christian, you have to vote. So I am looking to find the bible verses that support either concept. Thanks.

MrJim · Aug 11, 2012

It's a personal conscience issue; I don't vote but am not bothered by those that do. My personal reasons have more to do with trust in God's sovereignty and verses that point towards that end but others can build as reasonable case for voting.

Rhamiel · Aug 12, 2012

VCViking said:
Where in the Bible does it say Christians have to vote? Are there any verses where it says we have to, must or should vote?

Just to point out, I am voting but I here some Christians say they are not going to vote and others say as a Christian, you have to vote. So I am looking to find the bible verses that support either concept. Thanks.

every book of the bible was written in a kingdom or empire
the books of Moses were written at a time that was more of a tribal nature with elders of the differant tribes acting as leaders
then was the time of Judges
then the Kingdom of Israel, then the split between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah
then Israel was taken over by other nations which were also kingdoms

at the time of Christ, the Romans controlled the entire region

so at no time was democracy really part of the lives of people in the Bible

VCViking · Aug 12, 2012

Rhamiel said:
every book of the bible was written in a kingdom or empire
the books of Moses were written at a time that was more of a tribal nature with elders of the differant tribes acting as leaders
then was the time of Judges
then the Kingdom of Israel, then the split between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah
then Israel was taken over by other nations which were also kingdoms

at the time of Christ, the Romans controlled the entire region

so at no time was democracy really part of the lives of people in the Bible

Yes, I know...hence the reason I asked the question.

savedfromdistruction · Aug 12, 2012

VCViking said:
Where in the Bible does it say Christians have to vote? Are there any verses where it says we have to, must or should vote?

Just to point out, I am voting but I here some Christians say they are not going to vote and others say as a Christian, you have to vote. So I am looking to find the bible verses that support either concept. Thanks.

Col. 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We are told to do all we do in the name of the Lord so if we do not vote we need to be sure we are doing so because this is His will and we are not voting in His name. If we do vote we also need to be sure this is His will and done in the name of the Lord.

98cwitr · Aug 12, 2012

I don't vote...I don't want to be anywhere near politics. What will be will be. God is Sovereign.

dogs4thewin · Aug 12, 2012

I vote because you have NO right to complain about the shape of the country if you CAN vote and choose NOT to do so.

savedfromdistruction · Aug 12, 2012

98cwitr said:
I don't vote...I don't want to be anywhere near politics. What will be will be. God is Sovereign.

Then you need to stop praying as what will be will be.God is Sovereign

MrJim · Aug 12, 2012

savedfromdistruction said:
Then you need to stop praying as what will be will be.God is Sovereign

Personally I pray to be conformed to God's will rather than for personal ideals. Do not confuse this with fatalism. While I believe God orders the universe I still look both ways before crossing the street

Also see Psalm 75 and Daniel 2.

VCViking · Aug 12, 2012

ALLorNOTHINGatall4CHRIST said:
I vote because you have NO right to complain about the shape of the country if you CAN vote and choose NOT to do so.

Can you back this up with Scripture?

Boidae · Aug 12, 2012

I do not vote, but I do hold a Voter's card and listed as no party affiliation.

When we went to church this morning, there was a paper that had listed who the church would like you to vote for. They are looking at Romney for President.

I don't see any good candidates, so I am not voting again this year.

VCViking · Aug 12, 2012

VCViking said:
Yes, I know...hence the reason I asked the question.

Rhamiel, I owe you an apology. I took your post the wrong way and responded with discord. I am sorry.

OzSpen · Aug 12, 2012

VCViking said:
Where in the Bible does it say Christians have to vote? Are there any verses where it says we have to, must or should vote?

Just to point out, I am voting but I here some Christians say they are not going to vote and others say as a Christian, you have to vote. So I am looking to find the bible verses that support either concept. Thanks.

You are speaking as an American. The world is bigger than the USA.

Here in Australia, voting at local, State and Federal elections is compulsory, by legislation of the government. Therefore, to be an obedient Christian, I am to follow the teaching of Romans 13:1-7,

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honour to whom honour is owed (ESV).

If I do not vote, I am fined. If I do not like any of the candidates, I have to vote, but nobody is to know if I give an informal vote. I know of some folks Down Under who on rare occasions (because they don't approve of any of the candidates) scribble across the ballot.

Sincerely, Oz

Rhamiel · Aug 12, 2012

no problem man

98cwitr · Aug 13, 2012

savedfromdistruction said:
Then you need to stop praying as what will be will be.God is Sovereign

Why? What do you assume I pray for?

cow451 · Aug 13, 2012

Boidae said:
I do not vote, but I do hold a Voter's card and listed as no party affiliation.

When we went to church this morning, there was a paper that had listed who the church would like you to vote for. They are looking at Romney for President.

I don't see any good candidates, so I am not voting again this year.

I would vote with my feet.... and find another church.

MrJim · Aug 13, 2012

OzSpen said:
You are speaking as an American. The world is bigger than the USA.

Here in Australia, voting at local, State and Federal elections is compulsory, by legislation of the government. Therefore, to be an obedient Christian, I am to follow the teaching of Romans 13:1-7,

If I do not vote, I am fined. If I do not like any of the candidates, I have to vote, but nobody is to know if I give an informal vote. I know of some folks Down Under who on rare occasions (because they don't approve of any of the candidates) scribble across the ballot.

Sincerely, Oz

I heard forced voting was done in dictator-run
3d world countries but not there in Australia..I still wouldn't even if I was there..guess I would simply pay the fine and move on..know the difference between submission and obedience-only God gets utter obedience; the state gets submission and that may include consequences (fines, jail, torture, and even death).

Boidae · Aug 13, 2012

cow451 said:
I would vote with my feet.... and find another church.

Why? Because they said who they support and who they would like us to vote for?

We aren't required to vote for who they're supporting, we're free to vote for whomever or not at all.

OzSpen · Aug 13, 2012

MrJim said:
I heard forced voting was done in dictator-run
3d world countries but not there in Australia..I still wouldn't even if I was there..guess I would simply pay the fine and move on..know the difference between submission and obedience-only God gets utter obedience; the state gets submission and that may include consequences (fines, jail, torture, and even death).

I live in a thorough-going democracy. It is not forced voting as in a dictatorship. It is government legislated compulsory voting. If enough of us don't like that perspective, we vote that government out at the next election.

Do you know what? I'm forced to get a driver's licence to be able to drive on the roads, by government legislation. Do you think that I should refuse to follow this law from my "dictator-run", democratic government?

Oz

MrJim · Aug 13, 2012

OzSpen said:
I live in a thorough-going democracy. It is not forced voting as in a dictatorship. It is government legislated compulsory voting. If enough of us don't like that perspective, we vote that government out at the next election.

Do you know what? I'm forced to get a driver's licence to be able to drive on the roads, by government legislation. Do you think that I should refuse to follow this law from my "dictator-run", democratic government?

Oz

It only becomes a matter of conscience when one believes it violates a mandate of Scripture, or church teaching. Since people/churches interpret Scripture differently folks are going to come to different conclusions on such matters.

Note I did not refer to the Australian gov't as "dictator-run", only that compulsory voting in my limited experience was only known in 3d world dictatorship nations, particularly Africa and the Middle East.

Voting and Christians

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