In an Article for The Hill, Tara Suter wrote: "Former President Trump told attendees at a Christian media convention Thursday that it would be 'crazy' for any Christian to vote for a Democratic candidate, framing the 2024 election as a broader fight against a 'radical left' intent on going after patriotic Christians. 'How any Christian can vote for a Democrat, Christian or person of faith, person of faith — how you can vote for a Democrat is crazy. It’s crazy,' Trump said at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) International Christian Media Convention in Nashville."
First, I don't believe that anyone should be telling Christians who they should be voting for! A Christian should be guided by his/her own conscience and convictions, NOT by others' expectations. Now, sure, a Christian should be motivated in ALL things (including voting) by the tenets of his/her faith and the compatibility of a candidate's personal and professional character with Christian values.
Second, both of the main American political parties (Democrats and Republicans) are secular in nature and are a part of this present world system deceived and influenced by Satan. Neither of those parties are completely representative of Christian values, and some of the personal lives of the leadership in both parties are also NOT Christian in nature or practice. Indeed, many of the policy prescriptions of both parties and their leadership are antithetical to the character and teachings of Jesus Christ. Moreover, Christians have a clear scriptural mandate to NOT be too much a part of this world. And, as this world's systems are NOT God's system or representative of his kingdom, Christians should NOT look to them for the solutions to their personal problems or the many problems of the wider world.
Third, the American system is based on the separation of Church and State. In short, the Founding Fathers intended that the United States would NOT adopt a state religion (as many of the nations of Europe had done). For them, no one's personal religious convictions was to be infringed upon or dictated by the state. Likewise, it should NOT be the goal/objective of ANY Christian to impose the dictates of his/her conscience on others - especially the larger society. Thus, while there is certainly NOTHING wrong with a Christian using his/her franchise to influence policy in a Godly direction or to encourage the filling of government with people of good character, it would also definitely be contrary to God's intention for his people to become a shill or partisan of secular parties or candidates.
Fourth, Donald Trump's personal character is so deeply flawed and troublesome that this Christian (me) could NOT vote for him in good conscience. He does not believe in turning the other cheek or forgiveness or mercy. He does not treat other people the way that he would like to be treated. He is NOT noted for his kindness, fidelity, compassion, empathy, or righteous speech. He cheats, lies, and bullies without compunction or restraint. He is brash and without a shred of humility, and his policies all seem to arise from self-interest and lack personal conviction. Hence, this Christian could NEVER, in good conscience, vote for such a man - or the various members of the personality cult which supports him.
I have friends, acquaintances, and colleagues who are Muslim, Jewish, agnostic, atheist -- and Christian. The only ones from any of those groups who seem to like Trump are the Evangelical Christians who believe that Trump has been sent by God to make this a Christian nation. They usually add the word "again" because they also believe that the USA was founded as a Christian nation (which of course is false).
ReplyDeleteGood post Lonnie. Like you, I wouldn't vote for Trump. He is a scoundrel of the worst kind. He's not a career politician which is a plus. But that said and judging the others, he still might be the best of the lot, except maybe for RFK junior, who doesn't stand a chance.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with voting in general, but personally, because of the reasons you give about this world system, I don't. I'm content to leave it in the hands of God to put the one in who will fulfill His purpose. In the upcoming election, it probably doesn't really matter.
Thanks for the comments. I appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteI would think the history of much of the world would tell you why you want to keep the "spiritual" and "temporal" concerns separate. But what do I know.
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