Good points. I can tell you are not voting for Barack Obama. Who are you voting for?
I will be voting for Romney. As I said before, not to vote is no different than actually casting a vote, such as allowing a drunk person to get behind the wheel.
To cast a vote for a candidate that has little chance of beating Obama does not make sense either. Remember Ross Perot? lol
Some have decided not to vote for Romney because he is a Mormon, and this issue is a sticking point. However, I would remind people that we are not casting a vote for a Deacon in the Church, but participating in an election that is part of the world system. If we wait around for a candidate that meets our Christian standards...we will be waiting for quite a while. One thing I do is separate politics from spiritual matters and try to keep it in perspective. As mentioned before, we have had a number of Presidents that have not been, theologically, on the same page as I or probably many here. Something that I have learned from witnessing and speaking to individuals is that just because they call themselves by a particular denomination does not mean they actually know the doctrine of that group. Which in some cases is a good thing, as there are those on both sides of this coin: those that do not know enough about the groups doctrine to either be saved or damned. They have a nominal understanding of God and the doctrine taught by their group, and it is up to us, the Body, to instruct them. We are the mediators of the New Covenant, and we should not take for granted that because one is a member of our Church that they have an understanding of Christian doctrine. And at the same time, concerning those such as Romney, who claims to be a Mormon, I think it altogether possible that he is a nominal believer, meaning, he is involved in religious practice like many.
The difference between his religion and the religion of the current president is that Romney's beliefs are closer to the beliefs of even the founding fathers. It might surprise some to learn that a monotheistic position was very popular in the early days of our country. Some years ago I proof-read one of my nieces book reports on Abigail Adams, and you could not have read it without concluding that she was monotheistic. I was shocked. Usually a woman's theology is derived, at least in part, from her husband's. Jefferson is another that I view as having questionable theology. The "Jefferson Bible" has come into question recently as not having removed things supernatural, but there is disagreement on that. One writer, who is actually a historian (and his name is Greg Frasier, or something like that) said that several key founding fathers were "Theistic Rationalists." The way I look at it is, I have never thought that politicians were expected to be sound theologians, so I don't expect it from them. I do expect it from my Pastor, but not a presidential candidate. If he were, chances are...he would be a missionary or Pastor...not a candidate.
So as far as Romney is concerned theologically, my hope is that he is just ignorant. If we gave a pop quiz in our fellowships on Doctrinal Distinctives, Statements of Faith, and Doctrine, how well would the average congregation fare? How many in the average fellowship study scripture on more than a shallow level? Does this call their salvation into question? I don't think so, but, I do believe we are all called to study that we might understand God better and be used of Him better.
I can't say that Romney does or does not embrace the distinctives of Mormon doctrine that we find heretical, but I can say that at least in the spotlight, his beliefs will oppose the liberal agendas that have gained so much ground in recent decades. Death and destruction lay in their wake.
Now throw on top of that the rise of Islam. As I said, this is the single greatest threat the world has ever seen, on not just a political front, but on a spiritual level as well. In place are certain conditions that will pave the way for their goal of world domination. One of those is political correctness. Tolerance. And as I said before, those who support tolerance because of their own agendas will find out too late that they have supported one of the most intolerant groups this world has ever seen.
Obama...the lesser of two evils? Can someone tell me how Romney's actions in any way parallel those of Obama's?
Another aspect about Romney that makes him a good candidate, in my opinion, is that he is a good businessman. THat is a trait in a president we could use right now. And when it comes to business, sometimes the boss is not going to be popular, but sometimes that's what it takes to get the job done.
As Christians we know that it is God that palces in power those that lead in the world system. Should we take a position that since this is true...we need not vote?
Well, we also know that it is God that saves, so should we in like manner take the position that we should not evangelize? "Whoever is going to be saved, is goiing to be saved, despite what I do."
Right?
Well, this I believe to be true, but is it better that one be trained up in the way they should go from youth, or should we just let them go their own way and wait for the ministry of God at some point to bring them to the knowledge of the truth, that they might be saved?
And if I stand idly by while the country I live in battles over abortion, gay rights (which are special...not equal), and who's money should be given to who...well, then I should not complain because I am actually helping prophecy to be fulfilled. I am helping things to get worse and worse. I should not complain that my children are exposed to homosexuality and taught, contrary to the word of God...that there is nothing wrong with it. I should not complain if it becomes law that preachers cannot preach against it. I should not complain that there are countless thousands of unborn babies being slaughtered.
And then pat myself on the back for being a Christian, and not part of the world system. I would be like unto those that did nothing when that woman was brutalized in the park.
All that evil needs to flourish is for good to do nothing.
And folks...we are supposed to be "the good."
My hope is that there will be a majority among Catholics this election that will not have to say afterwards, as they did four years ago, "We didn't know he was pro-choice." I am hoping there will be those who typically vote democratic that will see by example of the DNC Convention vote that this administration does not have their interests in mind, but their own, and despite what the people want, they are going to do that which suits them.
But most of all, I pray God will redirect the thoughts of many in this country from political issues to spiritual. We will not, as the Body of Christ, see repentance in America through political action. We will see this only through the preaching of Christ.
That should be our primary focus, both in our lives and concerning the lives of others. The election should be kept in perspective, seeing us neither fanatical nor ignoring it. If we are going to be zealous, let us be zealous for Christ, and He will put the election into perspective for us.
Okay, sorry for rambling.
God bless.
