Why Should Christians Vote?

“Why Should Christians Vote?” By Duayne Hastings 1. Christians should vote because Jesus tells us in the Bible to be a part of the process, not apart from it. 2. Christians should vote because our liberties were secured by the blood of our forbearers in faith early in our nation’s history and have been preserved by the vigilance of brave men and women who time and time again have defended our freedoms. 3. Christians should vote because Jesus urged His followers to render unto Caesar what was Caesar’s (Luke 20:19-26). 4. Christians should vote because Christ compels us to voice our biblically derived convictions at the ballot box, as well as through the mailbox and atop the soapbox. 5. Christians should vote because the innocent, the indigent, and the unborn need a defender. 

6. Christians should vote because as we exercise our civic right we have the opportunity to advocate policy positions that signal our faith in the providential care of God. 7. Christians should vote because as we involve ourselves in the electoral and public policy process, we pray for our leaders. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2) “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8).

C.S. Lewis quote

  "Jesus Christ did not say, 'Go into the world and tell the world that it is quite right.'" C.S. Lewis

From www.christianquotes.org  

Values and Voting

How do you decide who to vote for? Do you look at the candidate's character? personality? stance on issues? For most of us, we use some sort of subjective mix and prioritizing of a candidates qualities. When we evaluate their stances on issues we, consciously or unconsciously, choose to prioritze the importance of issues. What issues are most important to you? The economy? The war? Social issues? Moral issues? When I evaluate a candidate or party, values issues rise to the top of my priority list. I want to know where they stand on important moral/ethical issues (not necessarily in this order) such as:

• Abortion
• Marriage
• Euthanasia (killing the old, sick, and terminally ill)
• Stem Cell Research
• Cloning
• Gambling

We must always keep in mind that there is no perfect party or candidate (or human, we are all sinners!).

http://ivotevalues.com/ is a great resource for keeping informed on the issues, political parties, and politicians.

When you vote over the course of this next month (I hope and pray you will excercise that right), what issues will you choose to prioritize and evaluate candidates on? I vote values. (and did so today!) “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1-2) “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Pet. 2:15)