- Jan 2, 2015
- 11,556
- 5,728
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Presbyterian
- Marital Status
- Married
Is a Christian free to vote for any of the current field of possible presidential choices without his faith being called into question?
There are a number of "sufficiently Christian" candidates I could vote for. I don't look for a candidate to enforce a strong Christian agenda, but if I fear they will work against my beliefs they are off the list.
A Christian can vote for whoever he/she wants to vote for but I would think the Lord would have opened your eyes to the sick game being played and wouldnt have you waste your time. Personally I wont be casting my vote until the Second Coming because Jesus is the only candidate Im betting on at this stage of the game. No one else is worthy.Is a Christian free to vote for any of the current field of possible presidential choices without his faith being called into question?
That's a good point.
I don't look to vote for a person simply because he is a Christian; however, I will oppose a person who will make life more and more difficult for the church and Christians.
I think we need to consider integrity of the candidates at least as much as we consider their views.
Very wise and well put !
I agree
and I think that a vote is a very important power and maybe if more of us do it, maybe ( only maybe) christian choices in certain areas would be more selected
I think i will pray more seriously for the next election (and the candidates) in France : it really is an amazing opportunity to have a voice that count even it's a little one
Is a Christian free to vote for any of the current field of possible presidential choices without his faith being called into question?
My issue is that there are at least two or three major party candidates who have consistently shown themselves to lack even a basic level of moral and ethical character. With these candidates, I couldn't care less whether I agree with what they have to say. I won't vote for such a candidate, even if this means directly or indirectly supporting a candidate who doesn't share my views.
Truth be told, I will probably vote third party. But, if there are no morally viable options, abstaining is better than actively voting for a morally corrupt leader.
That's a good point.
I don't look to vote for a person simply because he is a Christian; however, I will oppose a person who will make life more and more difficult for the church and Christians.
I realize that there are many people that feel that way; however here is how I like to look at this problem.
Our Lord has told us to "Judge not, lest ye be judged (in the same way you judge)". (Mat 7:1) We've all sinned and we've all fallen. It's public knowledge that campaigning for President isn't easy. Most candidates are traveling with little sleep, and few, if any, days off. Then there is the very real possibility that those who earnestly feel that this country is in serious trouble, could become so desperate for people to realize another candidate may be fooling the public, that they fall to the temptation to sin in their own words, or deeds. On top of this, they have campaign managers that tell them what they should do or say. (It's easy to be tempted to sin, when a person hired to get you elected is saying you should do something, plus you're going on little sleep.)
Since, you or I would also have the likelihood of falling to the same sin, in the same situation; I think prudence would have us look, not so much to the man's actions under this kind of pressure, but to how this man (or woman) has lived their faith (often through their vote, etc.) in normal circumstances. This is what truly speaks to the nature of each person running.
It's very easy for one campaigning for the highest office in the land to pander to his audience (in the case of conservatives) to tell people he's a good Christian. He may even be seen going to church, while on the campaign trail. But, did he go to church before? Did he mind supporting evil, or behaving sinfully before?? If he fell to sin before campaigning, did he seek forgiveness and try to correct that fall, or did he only do that once the eyes of the nation were on him?
In the case of Marco Rubio (for example, and I don't know the answer to this), he's accused of missing a great number of votes in the Senate. That may be a fact or not. First, one should check that. Then, if he did miss that many votes, what reason does he give? There are good reasons for absences (as we all know) and bad ones. I've also come to learn (by searching during the last presidential election) that the vast majority of things voted on in the Senate are VERY mundane. (An ex. would be something like, "Should we spend 1,000 dollars on a gift to acknowledge so-and-so's contribution to Children of P.O.W.'s ?") Most are actually that kind of thing and pretty cut and dry. This is why you'll hear your representatives say that "they may have missed a lot of votes while campaigning, but they were always there when a very important vote came up." It's actually very easy to go online and see, when your congressman voted, and HOW they voted!
I also think that it's very important to remember that these men/women, while campaigning, have a HUGE number of volunteers (I volunteered making phone calls locally once), and not only is the candidate unaware of most of their volunteers, but they certainly can't control them, outside of making sure they're removed if they do something wrong (and that's IF someone let's the candidate know about it"!) But, there are people working for their opponents that will be only too happy to make sure the press knows all about someone "in the other candidates campaign" that screws up! They'll plaster it everywhere in order to bring their opposition down! We all need to be aware of this and use good judgement when supporting a candidate or choosing not to.
It all comes down to prudence. Think how Satan works, and that he will often send attacks at those who are trying to follow Christ the most (for they are HIS biggest threat). On the other hand, don't be fooled by a "wolf in sheep's clothing." Our Lord gave us ways to know whether someone is truly a Christian or not. Watch for their fruits, but not just when they know they're being watched. Be quick to forgive the person that's truly trying to live their faith, but fell. Slow to be fooled by someone standing on the street corner, in order to be seen as pius, while their history shows otherwise.
I truly hope this makes sense to you. I think that if a person doesn't like any candidate and so doesn't vote, then they may be allowing one of the worst to win the election. "All that's required for evil to flourish, is for good men to do nothing!"
Partisan Pharisees will call your faith into question regardless of who you vote for, it just depends on what their political inclination is. These people project their will onto God's, and twist the meanings of Scripture to suit their agenda. Here's an exercise: If you can point out where the other side does this, see if you do this the same way with your favored positions.Is a Christian free to vote for any of the current field of possible presidential choices without his faith being called into question?
"Is a Christian" and "is Christ-like" are synonymous if both are really true.
If I may disagree with a mod. . . A Christian is one who believes and clings to the gospel because he is aware of his inability to be Christ-like. In fact, that's the entrance exam. It's not one's ability to imitate Christ that make him a Christian but only his need.
Christ and Paul used fruit trees as analogous to the Christian life, which means we shouldn't expect apples from a young apple tree. . .
Good topic but OT...I'll start a thread in General Theology if you'd care to join me. Back on topic!