Christian anti-cult expert Dr. Douglas Groothius on why he is voting for Romney

The Constructive Curmudgeon ^ | April 26, 2012 | Dr. Douglas Groothius

[sonrise57]

Why A Principled-Conservative, Bible-Believing Protestant, and Counter-cult Expert Will Vote for Mitt Romney 1. Politics is not the church. It is the art of the possible. Often we choose the lesser of two evils, which is also the evil of two lessers. It is a fallen world. Get over it. Be romantic and optimistic in the primaries (as I was with Michele Bachmann); then get realistic when things narrow down.

2. Protest votes are pointless. They send no message, except that you have robbed the better of the two candidates of a vote. Like it or not, we are stuck with a two-party system for the long haul. See M. Medved's chapter on the failure of third parties in "Ten Lies About America."

[Resettozero]

But many of us Conservatives voted for McCain. Where’s your point?

[DannyTN]

• Yes we often choose the lesser of two evils. However, this time, both of the main party candidates are serious evils. Both take us in directions we don't want to go, such as sodomy anbd abortion and socialism. There is not that much difference between them.
• Protest votes are not necessarily pointless. Write in votes probably are pointless, as they never get reported. However voting for a third party like the constitution party helps demonstrates how much disastisfaction there is and many votes could be picked up with the right platform. The two parties system doesn't change very often, but it has changed, and sometime parties die out and other parties grow stronger. Remember the Federalist party, or the Whig party?
• There is no reason to believe Romney is going to adopt the Republican platform, just because he carries the GOP label. Look at his governorship, his actions weren't GOP platform.
• Romney appointed extreme liberal judges as Governor and almost twice as many democratic judges as republican. That's not going to change.
• Romney used executive orders as governor, including personally approving gay marriages when he didn't have to.
• I agree that no one should be Mormon and that Obama doesn't have a credible Christian witness. That makes both candidates equal and undesirable.
• We will experience government takeover of healthcare under either candidates. Romneycare will be a federally incented state program as opposed to Obamacare which is a federal program. But in practice it will be no different.
• Both are big government spenders and both will try to raise taxes. Romney did when he was Governor.
• Romney may be better on the military than Obama, and will be less supportive of Islam. However, the checks and balances are coming into play. Obama is already receiving pushback from both congress and SCOTUS. Romney won't be. Romney will have an easier time implementing a liberal agenda at this point than Obama will.
• If Romney is elected it will be 2020 before Republicans run somebody else. And then people will be angry with Republicans because of Romney's liberal policies.
• I'm voting Goode. Not Romney. And Not Obama.

[Resettozero]

Agree. Except for “Romney...will be less supportive of Islam.”

He is a Christian in the same manner Obama is a Christian and who knows what Willard Romney really thinks...?

[faithhopecharity]

I understand your viewpoint. All I mean is that if you are only given two real choices (its a cruel, unfair world) then “reality” says we select the better of the 2 (or else get stuck with the Other). I didn’t invent the rules or they’d be a lot different.

[DannyTN]

"Agree. Except for “Romney...will be less supportive of Islam.”"

You may be right. I don't think Romney would support Islam, but he could be anti-Israel. Mormon theology includes a line of thought that Mormons are the real Israeli descendants and not Israel.

I think I remember Romney making some pro-Israel campaign statements, but Romney's campaign statements are practically worthless due to his frequently employed etch-a-sketcher. And I'm not sure if as Governor he had an opportunity to have a real record on the matter.

[faithhopecharity]

My point was that a whole lot of other conservatives were dsappointed and did not support senator McCain. That helped bring us the present situation.

[faithhopecharity]

My point was that a whole lot of other conservatives were dsappointed and did not support senator McCain. That helped bring us the present situation.

[DannyTN]

"All I mean is that if you are only given two real choices (its a cruel, unfair world) then “reality” says we select the better of the 2 (or else get stuck with the Other)."

But are we really given only two real choices? It's fear that says nobody else will vote for a third party, so my vote will be wasted. But if enough people stand up to that fear and vote third party, then what happens is the thrid party becomes one of the two dominant parties and the world is changed.

In my opinion there is not enough difference between the two candidates to worry if the other is selected. I think the checks and balances will work better if Obama is reelected than if Romney wins.

[ArrogantBustard]

I will concede for the sake of discussion that "only two real choice" situations exist.

I reject the notion that a US Presidential Election is one of them.

[Resettozero]

I’m just tipping the balance as heavily as I can away from the “Romney is really an almost-Christian” meme, which right now is weighting down FR threads.

[faithhopecharity]

My point was that a whole lot of other conservatives were dsappointed and did not support senator McCain. That helped bring us the present situation. That’s all I meant. (Added thot: if conservatives want a conservative candidate to vote for, we’ll have to figure out how to get one nominated. Until then, I will support the best of the 2 on the ballot no matter if s/he was my preference or, alas, not). Thanks 4 your views. Its a difficult time for us all

[Antoninus]

Looks like Romney found this guy's price.

Expect to see a lot more articles like this from Bible-belt "leaders". Romney will founder in the South without some ginned up enthusiasm. And the only thing that will create that sort of enthusiasm for a Massachusetts liberal in the South is cold hard cash.

[Resettozero]

Not any more difficult than it always has been. It’s just easier when one takes a stand and knows why. Different FReepers take their stands at different times in recent history. I’m making mine now: will vote my conscience.

Romney does not encapsule the virtues of the Republican platform (of recent years) in a believable manner. I don’t believe he is sincere. Constitution Party slate for Pres/VP gets my recorded vote. Republican-labeled Conservatives continue to receive my support.

[Resettozero]

It always has been in His merciful hands. Don’t quit doing good.

[aimhigh]

I give up. It is all in God’s hands now.

I vote because it's my responsibility, but God determine who wins. God removes kings, and sets up kings; “God rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will." ( Dn 4: 31-32 ). Consider the results of a vote of 180 million sinners.

[D-fendr]

We don’t have to stop impeaching.

You have to impeach and convict and continue and continue and continue.. I think I'd rather remove power from the entire regime at once this year.

[fieldmarshaldj]

EPIC FAIL.

[Colonel_Flagg]

1. Politics is not the church. It is the art of the possible. Often we choose the lesser of two evils, which is also the evil of two lessers. It is a fallen world. Get over it. Be romantic and optimistic in the primaries (as I was with Michele Bachmann); then get realistic when things narrow down.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid." - Romans 6:1-2(a)

[JRandomFreeper]

of the 2 on the ballot

There are always a handful on the ballot, not just 2.

ABL Anyone but liberals. And Romney is a liberal.

/johnny

[faithhopecharity]

Very understandabl if you feel you have to vote that way. Would only suggest that would work a lot better if we had a parliamentary system. Given the system of government we do have, a vote for almost any little tiny party (no matter how superior its stated positions) is most likely a vote to re-elect the incumbent. But you’re an intelligent person and you’ve no doubt heard this before so I’ll respect your decision and not try to give you any lectures or criticize you. We’re not in the most wonderful situation and I sure can’t claim I have any magic answers. Best regards.