Should I Vote Only for Christian Candidates?

Vanity

[goodn'mad]

A major election coming up. Decisions, decisions, decisions. And it gets confusing with so many conflicting messages delivered by the main-stream media and the candidates themselves. Who to vote for…... Only Christians? Does that even matter? Maybe better questions are these: What are my values and how well do they stand up in the light of the Scriptures? Then, “Which candidates most closely hold these same values and are willing to take the heat by standing up for them?” Yep. This requires some digging and soul searching. And prayer…. One thing I try to keep in mind is this: Voting is part of my Christian stewardship. How well am I doing? Just some thoughts......

[goodn'mad]

Something I posted on Facebook. For what it's worth....

[Texas Fossil]

I see no problem voting for a Jewish candidate. There are other religions that I could vote for. But there are some that under no circumstances would I even consider voting for them.

It that as clear as mud?

In my opinion it boils down to whether he was of good moral and personal character (that precludes some faiths) and whether he would uphold the Constitution as required for the oath of office.

An atheist? NO

A Muslim? I don’t know a circumstance where I would.

A Scientologist? Nope

Your’s is a loaded question.

[West Texas Chuck]

Well, do what your heart tells you.

Me, I’m not Christian, and I don’t vote for a candidate for what church he claims to be part of. I judge my candidate by the cut of his jib, not his religion. I mean heck, Jesse Jerkson and Al “Not So” Sharpton claim to be reverends, and Our Dear Leader apparently sat in a “Christian” church for a long time, one I think is very nutty. I personally doubt if they have anything like the humility of Jesus, they all seem like charlatans to me.

No insult meant, just my $.02 for your perusal.

[AnalogReigns]

One bit of wise counsel I read is that, when given a choice between a pro-life candidate, and a pro-abortion one (regardless whether either CLAIMS to be a Christian), the only ethical choice is to vote for the pro-life one.

If both are pro-abortion (pro-choice) then it becomes a judgement call.

As to whether they have to be Christians...the Bible never tells us our leaders must be Christian.

Obama claims to be a Christian, and Romney a Mormon...yet Romney says now (he changed his mind...) he is pro-life. To vote for Obama just because he claims to be a Christian would be silly—and I believe un-ethical.

Famously the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther (d. 1546) said, at a time Germany was threatened by Muslim Turkey, “Better a wise Turk than a foolish Christian.”

[BillyBoy]

2002 U.S. Senate race in Minnesota:

JEWISH CANDIDATE - CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN (pro-life, pro-gun, pro-traditional marriage, lower taxes, limited government, anti-illegal alien, etc.)

CHRISTIAN CANDIDATE - SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT (pro-abortion, gun grabber, gay friendly, raise taxes, massively expand government, reward illegals, etc.)

Are there seriously some freepers who would have trouble deciding which of those candidates to vote for?

(P.S. To the freepers who will "only elect Christians" -- you realize Jesus Christ himself was a lifelong Jew, right? Guess he wouldn't get your vote)

[Lancey Howard]

That’s a good question. I believe a man’s (or woman’s) spirituality is their own business. I don’t trust Muslims (like Ubama, for example) and I couldn’t vote for a scientologist, festivusuvian, atheist, or follower of a false prophet. I would probably stick to voting for true Christians of all kinds, and Jews.

[Nifster]

excellent proof by example

[bobo1]

You’re going to have a hard time with this. Calvinists vs. Lutherans vs. Baptists vs. Pentecostals and everything else under the sun. And don’t forget the Catholics, to some they are the harlot church of the Book of Revelation.

I have argued theology for years. There are evil people in every religion, but the only religion that I know is truly evil is islam.

Most others are misguided, some grew up with the teaching and won’t leave, but who has the truth?

I like Paul Ryan, he brings to the table alot of things that I truly believe in. Anti-abortion, fiscally responsible, articulate and intelligent. I don’t hold it against him because he is Catholic. I think that alot of things that Catholics believe are incorrect. But some of my best friends are Catholic.

Romney is a morman. Really don’t know how any one could believe in this nonsense, I believe it is a cult. Yet some of the nicest, respectful and compassionate people I know are Mormans, I do not consider them to be Christian, yet for the most part, those that I know are decent people.

If you get into the debates, anyone who disagrees with each other become heretics and outside Christianity according to whatever the personal bent is.

when it comes to religion, and politics, I look for those that are anti-abortion, family oriented and honest, not liars like those in the rat party, that couldn’t tell the truth if it tap danced across their nose.

Religion gives us the moral compass on how to vote and what we are to support morally.

To opt out and let the greater evil take charge is cowardice. That was shown in WWII with Hitler.

Blessings, bobo

[RetiredTexasVet]

You don’t have to, but if you are suicidal or mentally challenged, you could search out radical Muslims or progressive Democrats to vote for.

[shoedog]

I am a Christian but would never adhere to that logic. You can be guided by Christian principles on selecting who you vote for. Quite honestly though just being a Christian doesn’t make you a good candidate. There have been a few Christian candidates that I would never support.

As a Christian, I would say you should pray for guidance on who you should vote for.

My two cents worth.

[4mer Liberal]

I hate the choices we have...Would I vote for a Caspar Milquetoast NE liberal Mormon, or would I fall on my sword as a Christian and not vote and and allow an apocalypticly evil Marxist to destroy my country. I can’t look my children in the eye, knowing they would be enslaved by the State if I do nothing. I would have to vote for Romney/Ryan if push came to shove. Thankfully, I live in a very red Mormon state which Romney will easily carry. I have a friend in VA who is having the same dilemma, and I urged him to vote, because it’s close and the stakes are so high. I understand if his conscience won’t allow him to do that.

[goodn'mad]

Don’t think that will ever happen. Why? Because they hold values diametrically opposed to my values...and I think it is safe to say, those contained in the Scriptures.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

What a loaded question! I’ve been beat up on Facebook by other FReepers for my opinion on this issue. And my statements, questions, and observations haven’t come close to being as pointed as yours.

[gusty]

Martin Luther himself commented on this question. He said better to be ruled by a competent Turk than an incompetent Christian. Said at a time when many of Luther’s followers lived under Ottoman rule in parts of today’s Hungary and Romania.

[nevermorelenore]

stick with the party platform that reflects more Christian values, encourage Christians to be leaders in their precincts and city/state elections.

[presently no screen name]

Sounds like an 18 year old.

[goodn'mad]

Thanks, bobo. I’ll bet these same ideas flow through most Christians minds, at least, those who really give it some thought. The worst mistake they can make is to sit out elections because they aren’t happy with either candidate. There will never be a perfect match between my values and theirs. But for me, abortion is a deal breaker. I could never pull the lever for a candidate who supports it. A can of worms I know, but I to live with myself.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

"I have a friend in VA who is having the same dilemma, and I urged him to vote, because it’s close and the stakes are so high. I understand if his conscience won’t allow him to do that."

I love that you have that understanding of the difficulties of this election for some people. I wish all FReepers were as gracious.

[presently no screen name]

To the freepers who will "only elect Christians"

And that has what to you with those who will not vote for the godless?

[goodn'mad]

Your graciousness is very heart-warming.