Voting?

[graciesings]

I know that traditionally, Anabaptists don't vote. However, I think the time has come for that to change.

One of the big issues on the line in recent elections has been abortion. While many states (including my own) have started state-constitution amendments that would keep abortions from being given in the state, they have failed. I know that in Colorado, the people were able to vote on one of these amendments in 2008? not sure of the year. But it failed.

I think it is our Christian duty to vote to try to save the unborn. I know that Anabaptists don't vote, but I am asking you to help unite separatist churches and bring them to the polls to save the lives of the unborn.

If it is a sin to kill, or even encourage/aid killing, how can we ignore the chance to vote against abortion -- without having blood on our hands?

I ask you to please consider this idea and share it with others.

God bless you.
Grace

 

[ValleyGal]

Mennonite Brethren vote. We are strongly encouraged to vote as it is a small way to influence our government according to our convictions.

 

[graciesings]

I'm glad to hear that you do, I had grown up influenced by a few Mennonite groups that don't vote (believing it's involving themselves in the government's sin by supporting the non-Christian politicians.) I suppose in some more conservative churches that isn't encouraged?

I am trying to encourage those groups to vote for anti-abortion amendments. What I am doing here is asking others to work on the same idea.

Thanks & God bless,
Grace

 

[ValleyGal]

I really don't know much at all about other Anabaptist denominations, and am even not really well-versed on MB church history. I do know that our beliefs are very conservative, although we are fully integrated into society, and we "live and let live." I mean, we send out our missionaries, but we don't interfere when someone says "I'm getting an abortion." We do encourage them not to, since we value human life as sacred, but rather than argue with them, we let them make up their own mind and then are available to help them work out the consequences to their choices through healing (includes repentance, etc). For us, we do vote in government elections, not because we are participating in their sin, but rather because we believe in one or two issues they stand for. It goes along with the "live and let live" mindset, and is a peaceful way to let our voice be heard.

I'm really not sure about other denominations, like Hutterites or First Mennonites. When I lived in Alberta, Hutterites were visible (like in grocery stores) but I think they lived away from the city. They drove SUVs and things like that. I'm not sure if they vote, or how integrated into society they are. Where I live now, there are a lot - and I do mean a lot - of MB churches, but only a couple of First Mennonite churches. They pretty much keep to themselves, and I don't know whether they vote or not.

However, I think given the chance, if it were put to referendum, I am sure all of them would be out to vote against abortion.

Even still, it's a tough issue, since abortion is going to happen anyway. Would we rather have it happen by qualified doctors in sterile environments, or in back alleys by those who do not have the proper equipment? It's a hard call, and I believe one that needs to be well counselled with each individual....

 

[Way195]

The reason most anabaptists don't vote is because of the teachings in the scriptures concerning the two kingdoms. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world, if my kingdom where of this world then would my servants fight". As Christians, we are citizens of another kingdom. Our primary alliegence is to God, the King. Also, the scriptures show that God is Soveriegn over all that takes place in the kingdom of this world. He will accomplish his purposes on the earth. We have greater influence for the good of our nation on our knees than in the voting stations.

 

[graciesings]

The reason most anabaptists don't vote is because of the teachings in the scriptures concerning the two kingdoms. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world, if my kingdom where of this world then would my servants fight". As Christians, we are citizens of another kingdom. Our primary alliegence is to God, the King. Also, the scriptures show that God is Soveriegn over all that takes place in the kingdom of this world. He will accomplish his purposes on the earth. We have greater influence for the good of our nation on our knees than in the voting stations.

That's what I had learned thanks for the insight. I am of the opinion that voting may be a small thing, but through it we may be able to help save the lives of the unborn.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

It was through the deception of voting power, various laws, 'rights', and worldly deceptions in every field that abortion and other atrocities were and are permitted.
Like when Yhwh's people,
when they wanted a 'king' like the pagan nations around them,
they rebelled against having Yhwh as their King (Yhwh's Word, Scripture, It is written).
In contrast, contrary to the world's ways, and most groups today,
the believers in the first century, by prayer, effected more peace for the pagan roman empire than it had at any other time.
The believers would not fight, would not put anyone to death, obeyed Y'shua "be as harmless as doves", and/but/still had greater influence, by their prayers, than any other group of any size.
And the believers were persecuted greatly for their faith, the truth of their lives, the power of God was evident in their lives as different from those of the world.
This was true later also, when the Anabaptists stood for Truth, lived for Truth, obeyed the Master Y'shua. They didn't vote nor get "entangled in the worldly affairs", they didn't "lie to one another", they didn't allow or even think of divorce as a possibility for believers, and they did things - they lived, as the early believers had lived, rightly, obeying Yhwh, in line with Scripture, by grace poured out in Y'shua the Messiah and Master.

For living right, as God says to live, they were hounded, they were persecuted, they were martyred, by many other peoples/governments/groups religious and political. This is still true today - in many countries, even many places in the usa.