Can You Waste a Vote?

This past week, Dr. James Dobson, the chairman of the board at Focus on the Family, wrote an op-ed piece for the New York Times that stated, “Speaking personally, and not for the organization I represent, I firmly believe that the selection of a president should begin with a recommitment to traditional moral values and beliefs. Those include the sanctity of human life, the institution of marriage, and other invaluable pro-family principles. Only after that determination is made can the acceptability of a nominee be assessed.”

The New York Times/CBS News poll shows white, evangelical Republicans agree with Dr. James Dobson. Nearly 60% of those who plan to vote in the primaries said they could not support a candidate they do not agree with on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

I wonder what the other 40% really believe? I wonder what you believe? Will you, like Dr. Dobson, only vote for a candidate that shares your basic values? If you can’t find a candidate who does satisfy you, will you just not vote? Would you favor a third party? Is it a “big deal” to you?

In a recent survey we did with SermonCentral, it reflected that only 17.3% of the pastors who responded were extremely interested in community, culture and political issues. 36.2% of those who participated in the survey said they were interested.

I am just wondering what those figures indicate. Will you be active in the presidential campaign? Will you address specific issues from the pulpit? (You can, you know.) Will you stick your neck out even though your political leanings might not be popular with the people you serve?

Do you feel your people are really engaged in the political scene? Are they well informed? Do you have a committee in your church that feels the responsibility to equip and inform your church family? It’s going to be interesting. The first primary is just 100 days away. I know ... a lot of questions to be answered.

Stay faithful.

Comments

[Rev. Daniel Lamgo]

I do not believe that Christians are really involved in "politics" to the extent they should be. We need to be more than informed, we need to do more than vote, we should be active in promoting the cause of Christ within politics. I also believe when we do have the opportunity to vote, we need to vote our consciences regardless of the outcome.

What we believe on issues of life, marriage, familiy values and a myriad of others, should affect whom we vote for too. Personally, I will not vote for a candidate that does not stand where I do on these issues. It may not be the "popular" or "politically expedient" thing to do, but I will no longer vote for party over person. I believe that if my brothers and sisters in Christ would also take this stand, we might be stuck with a President that we really do not want for the next 4 or 8 years, but the party that used to stand for my values will be forced to listen or remain out of power. If they will not listen, then perhaps it is time for the "radical, religious right" to form a third party.

If we unite with one another, then we can win!

[Rev. R. Domingo Lopez]

I do believe that we must vote by our basic values. Homosexuality is a big issue for me. If we vote a president who isn't clear on what he will do when it comes to categorizing citizens into different castes because of their sexual preference, then will be in bad shape. We must pray that the truth of God's word would transform our people's minds and shape their hearts to stand firm against all that is immoral.

Yes, united we can make a difference and win!