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An Appeal to Christians Who Plan to Sit Out This Election
Townhall.com ^ | October 30, 2014 | Jerry Newcombe

Posted on 10/30/2014 1:04:56 PM PDT by Kaslin

In polite society, you’re not supposed to talk about politics, sex, or religion. Sorry, but this column will discuss all three, directly or indirectly.

In America, we get the kind of government we deserve. Is this the best we can do?

There certainly is a big divide in how we approach politics, even among well-meaning Christians.

I was asked to speak at our church recently, and the title was given to me: “To vote or not to vote?” Are you serious? How can we not vote? We’re in such a mess because we haven’t been voting our values. I believe voting is imperative for the follower of Jesus.

Jesus said that we are to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s (Mark 12:17). Surely, included in rendering unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s would include voting.

It’s our duty to cast a ballot. It’s also our privilege. I know a man personally who risked his life with six other Cubans to flee the communist island. They rowed for 48 long hours in a rickety row boat with a hole in it. One of them had to bail out the water all the time. After a while, their fingers were bleeding, but they finally made it to the Bahamas.

My Cuban friend is glad to be an American and is a patriot. He wouldn’t think of not voting.

Historically, Christians in America applied their faith to virtually every sphere of life, including politics. While the founding fathers were not all Christians, the vast majority of them were, and virtually all of them had a biblical worldview. As historian Donald S. Lutz said of the founding fathers (even the unorthodox amongst them), “they knew the Bible down to their fingertips.”

So, for example, they divided power, since they knew man is sinful. James Madison, one of the key architects of the Constitution, noted: "All men having power ought not to be trusted." This is a biblical perspective. Sometimes people complain that the Constitution limits the amount of power any one single branch may have. That was by design---lest we have tyranny from one man or from an oligarchy.

When we vote biblical values, we obey what the Lord would have us do. Jesus is not on the ballot, so ultimately we are voting for a sinner. But the question is, Where do those sinners stand on key issues?

Too often, Christians seem to be waiting for the perfect candidates and can’t bring themselves to vote for someone with many (but not all) right views. We need to vote for the available candidates with the best views, rather than waiting for the perfect candidate who’s not coming.

There are some Christians who are so upset with the current crop of politicians that they may sit this election out. But their non-vote is a vote---a vote for someone with whom they probably would disagree vehemently.

There are many lesser known candidates and amendments that will likely be on the ballot. It behooves us to learn a Christian perspective on these, before we go and vote.

Where do the candidates stand on abortion? On traditional marriage? On religious freedom? On fiscal responsibility? On educational issues? All of these are addressed by the Bible.

Speaking of fiscal responsibility, Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” Yet today, as one person has said: “Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren.” I agree with that sentiment.

Who said it? Senator Barack Obama in 2006. Too bad as president, he has racked up a bill that seems beyond the reach of even our grandchildren to pay off.

In this country, which had such a godly foundation, we currently have the opportunity to vote our biblical values. But if we continue to lose our freedoms and fall prey to tyrannical government, ultimately, we will only have ourselves to blame.

My long-time pastor, the late D. James Kennedy, Ph.D. said this about Christians and politics in general: “I remember 20 years ago, a Christian said to me, ‘You don’t really believe that Christians should get active in politics do you?’ And I said, with tongue in cheek, ‘Why, of course not, we ought to leave it to the atheists, otherwise, we wouldn’t have anything to complain about. And we’d really rather complain than do something, wouldn’t we?’”

Look at the mess we’re in because many Christians have neglected this duty. Five Houston pastors were having their communications subpoenaed by the mayor because they had spoken out against the bill allowing a man to use the ladies’ room! Their emails and text messages had been demanded, to see what they have said anything against this bill.

Commenting on that case initiated by the lesbian mayor of our nation’s 4th largest city, in his Mike Huckabee News (10/19/14), he comments: “Why has this happened? It’s mainly because good church going Christians don’t vote and don’t care.”

It is a privilege to vote. It is our Christian duty to vote. So vote your biblical values. If enough evangelicals and conservative Catholics showed up and voted biblical values, we could carry this election---and virtually every election. Our nation’s founders pledged their lives, their fortunes, and the sacred honor to give us our freedom. The least we could do is vote---and vote our values.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2014elections; christians
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1 posted on 10/30/2014 1:04:56 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

It can be difficult to vote your Biblical principles when no one on the ballot shows any sign of following them.


2 posted on 10/30/2014 1:06:49 PM PDT by Ingtar (Is this the Ebola and rumors of Ebola mentioned in the Bible?)
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To: Kaslin

What with registration and all, it’s a little late for this mention. Still, it will be good for those who are registered and don’t plan on voting.

Every Republican should be voting this cycle.


3 posted on 10/30/2014 1:07:22 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Dunam, Duncan, man what infections these folks brought over.)
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To: Kaslin

it does not matter to them perhaps , because they will all be gone in the Rapture soon . So why bother ?


4 posted on 10/30/2014 1:08:03 PM PDT by LeoWindhorse
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To: Kaslin

“The correct action when presented with two evil choices is to refuse to grant democratic legitimacy to either one.”
- Vox Day


5 posted on 10/30/2014 1:11:24 PM PDT by donna (Pray for revival.)
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To: DoughtyOne

Demoralizing the democrats should be enough incentive to vote GOP and sweep every seat this time.


6 posted on 10/30/2014 1:11:31 PM PDT by cripplecreek (You can't half ass conservatism.)
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To: DoughtyOne

I don’t think there is a single freeper who is unregistered. I just don’t. Very committed people despite all our differences.


7 posted on 10/30/2014 1:12:47 PM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard III: Loyalty Binds Me)
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To: cripplecreek

If the Republican candidate is crap, then leave it blank


8 posted on 10/30/2014 1:13:08 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: cripplecreek

Now that definitely gets my vote.


9 posted on 10/30/2014 1:13:25 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Dunam, Duncan, man what infections these folks brought over.)
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To: miss marmelstein

I agree Miss Marmelstein.


10 posted on 10/30/2014 1:13:57 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Dunam, Duncan, man what infections these folks brought over.)
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To: DoughtyOne

Democrats need to be crushed for the emotional impact alone.


11 posted on 10/30/2014 1:15:48 PM PDT by cripplecreek (You can't half ass conservatism.)
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To: Kaslin

We’re in such a mess because we haven’t been voting our values.

Bull Cheese. When presented with a choice of voting for a Democrat or a pro-abort, pro sodomy Republican; tell me please - how am I supposed to vote my values?

12 posted on 10/30/2014 1:15:55 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS. This Means Liberals and (L)libertarians! Same Thing. NO LIBS!!)
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To: DoughtyOne

Freepers are great. Until primary season, lol!!!!!


13 posted on 10/30/2014 1:16:25 PM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard III: Loyalty Binds Me)
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To: Kaslin

Las Vegans! Annette Teijeiro is within a half point of beating left wing Dina Titus for Congress. This would be an absolutely HUGE upset because Dem registration is 2 : 1 to Repub. Bring out the crazy uncle in the attic to vote!

If anyone nationally is looking for a big bang for the buck campaign to help that would have a monstrous impact, this is it. Dr. Annette could be the next Michele Bachman, she is that good thinking on her feet. We have gotten zero media or GOPe support but it is still a tie (I’m doing the numbers). The good part of that is Annette won’t owe any special interest a thing and she is willing to take on both party’s cronies.

Campaign is at 2069 E. Sahara suite A. I am there afternoons.

Add Annette to your Twitter @AnnetteTeijeiro


14 posted on 10/30/2014 1:17:23 PM PDT by DaxtonBrown (http://www.futurnamics.com/reid.php)
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To: DoughtyOne
Every Republican should be voting this cycle.


Does that mean voting for a liberal? A Democrat?

Probably. St. Sarah of Wasila plans on voting that way.

15 posted on 10/30/2014 1:17:45 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS. This Means Liberals and (L)libertarians! Same Thing. NO LIBS!!)
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To: Kaslin

About 50% of Evangelical Christians vote for Democrats. Many are anti-gun ownership, pro welfare, anti-war and pro union. Many are also active in helping illegals come to this country. And many think early term abortion is okay because they don’t believe life begins at conception. The idea that most Christians, especially Evangelical Christians, will vote for social and fiscal conservatives is misguided. Evangelical Christians in Pa. and Ohio voted for Obama in both 2008 and 2012.


16 posted on 10/30/2014 1:18:58 PM PDT by fredmann
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To: Kaslin

It depends on which Christians, from what denominations.


17 posted on 10/30/2014 1:19:55 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: fredmann
About 50% of Evangelical Christians vote for Democrats.

That is a lie, they are actually the most republican vote in America, no one equals the Evangelical vote, for instance in 2012 Evangelicals voted 79% republican.

18 posted on 10/30/2014 1:24:39 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: fredmann
About 50% of Evangelical Christians vote for Democrats.

TOTAL BULL CHEESE.

I saw that and in less than a minute found this chart. Yes, its just one sample. But given time, you will see polls, charts, studies and more showing that Evangelicals vote for the Republican and/or conservative.


19 posted on 10/30/2014 1:25:01 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS. This Means Liberals and (L)libertarians! Same Thing. NO LIBS!!)
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To: Kaslin

I was going to comment on how long before your thread was hijacked but I just wasn’t fast enough.


20 posted on 10/30/2014 1:25:36 PM PDT by wita
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