This article is one of the best arguments for making abortion one of the leading, if not the leading issue for determining who to vote for in the next election. I found the logic in the article almost unescapable...good stuff to wrestle with. I know that most people who read this blog probably already have all these issues figured out for themselves but remember we are also supposed to engage the mind and hearts of those around us. I need to have good answers to thoughts, opinions, arguments and opposing views...I just can't spout off religious bumper sticker remarks or some other intolerant sounding close ended conversation statements. I need to speak the truth, but I must also work at "reasoning" with those who we are seeking to convince.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Single issue voter....?
This article is one of the best arguments for making abortion one of the leading, if not the leading issue for determining who to vote for in the next election. I found the logic in the article almost unescapable...good stuff to wrestle with. I know that most people who read this blog probably already have all these issues figured out for themselves but remember we are also supposed to engage the mind and hearts of those around us. I need to have good answers to thoughts, opinions, arguments and opposing views...I just can't spout off religious bumper sticker remarks or some other intolerant sounding close ended conversation statements. I need to speak the truth, but I must also work at "reasoning" with those who we are seeking to convince.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
War...poverty...the death penalty...shaming your children when they get pregnant out of wedlock...these things kill people unjustly too, and the politicians who are anti-abortion often support death-causing through their policies. So I think the issue is more complex.
Evangelicals tend to think that electing Republicans is the way to overturn Roe vs. Wade. I've only been alive for 28 years, but I haven't seen very many leaders do a whole lot to fix the problem.
That said, I share the same concerns about Obama. I don't care for McCain, but like many conservatives, Palin adds a lot to the Republican ticket. I was praying fervently that he would pick her. Is she enough to get my vote? I'm not sure.
Rick,
I understand where you are coming from on the more than "one" issue perspective. It's become almost a mantra in the Jim Wallis circles. Granted I think there needs to be quite a revolution regarding the two party system and how unfortunately it seems if you stand for life...you are most often endorsing Republicans, I wish that were not the case, but for now, it seems that it is. I would say that if someone has been voting republican, they did get a president that influenced the Supreme Court make up and that for sure has and will affect the pro-life agenda in the future.
So voting does make a difference.
I seriously doubt based on Obama's voting record that pro-life people would get much of anything in regards to protecting the unborn.
Here is a link to issue comparisons between the two:
http://www.wallbuilders.com/downloads/newsletter/VotersGuide.pdf
I am not endorsing the org that put this out or that all conclusions are accurate but the side by side comparison on issues...is quite different, that is for sure.
I get the Jim Wallis, "liberal evangelical" perspective. I read sojo. I think they're helpful in bringing liberals to a more centrist position. But I don't fall in line with them. While I find a lot of those guys (mclaren, wallis) helpful in my own walk with Christ (because they can and do challenge me to look at why they think the way they do), I think their line of thinking can be dangerous for a lot of people.
To be honest, I will probably vote for McCain because when you compare the two side by side, I do think McCain wins out (that said, I think that side by side comparison by wallbuilders is a little biased in a couple categories...not telling the whole story).
I do know I can't vote for Obama with a good conscience, and abortion is a big part of that. I spent countless hours of my childhood in an abortion clinic, and seeing what it did to mothers is forever etched in my mind.
The issue of judges is a double-edged sword for me. While I might often agree with the conclusions that strict constructivist judges make, they consider law rather than justice. I think that's a difference that we, as Christians, really need to consider.
That said, I'm not very political. It's more of an interesting hobby for me than the answer to the problems around us.
I agree about the wall builders paper,
I emailed the person who sent It to me
And pointed out that there were some
Bad links and year 2000 votes
I agree we have to vote on more then one issue, however for me personally all in all it does come down to abortion. I feel that if a person believes in abortion such as Obama then it shows morally where they are. Yes morally is where I stand because I have to face God with the decisions I make in life, meaning if I vote for someone who believes in it or for the party who does then I feel I am just as guilty.. May not be a popular belief, but that is how I feel.
I believe in less Gov (such as Obama, who believes in making Gov based health care) do we really want Gov knowing our health care or records, telling us we can or cannot have a surgery. Do we really want to live like Canada? And is that really "Freedom" once Gov gets their hands in our lives, they will have a right to control it.
Do I believe in Military YES, YES AND YES.. With out military we wouldn't have freedom. My point of view is very right wing compared to many here.
I do not believe in what Obama wants on taxing the rich like he wants, did you know he wants to take half the money in taxes from the rich, half. Ok I do believe in giving the the poor, but do I believe in forcing people to give to the poor NO. If you are having to force then giving is not a blessing, but a curse. At least the way he is wanting to do it is wrong.
If the churches were doing their job we wouldn't have to have a welfare system. Anyway I could go on and on... but respectfully I will back away now...
Mary,
You dont have to "respectively back away" you've not said anything that was "disrespectful" in my opinion. You share your view in "comments" thats the fun of it...its "your" view and you dont have to apologize for that. These can be formats for expanding our understanding of other peoples political or religious views. I value that opportunity within a format that is civil and gracious even if opinions are strong or feelings are hot on such issues. Who said truth had to be cold...sometimes it comes out boiling. The trick is to not scald each other with out conversation. So don't be nervous your thoughts are wanted and valued as part of the hard work we all have of wrestling with the issues, our consciences and choices that are before us.
Is it ok to pick the lesser of two evils? Understand that when you vote, you are only voting for someone that you already agree with. Since everyone votes this way, that means the president does nothing to influence America. America already decided and voiced that decision with a vote. It means that half of America will always disagree with what the president does. At least.
When did we have a president that sought to influence America instead of winning a vote? Not since before there were presidents. The men that stood up and faced these challenges had no authority or freedom by todays standards. But they proved that we all have authority and freedom at any time, if we choose to. We all have the power of influence, no less than any president or king or emperor.
And no vote or legislation will ever conquer the evil that men do. No military force on earth can stop it. The power of guns can only pierce flesh where the power of our words will pierce the spirit.
I wrestle with the issue of "if you vote" with a party you are standing with them in "ALL" their actions.
I'm not sure I feel I "stand with either party" on ALL their platforms or issues. So in a sense I am saying by voting, that I agree with most. But does that mean if I stand before God, that I will be judged for someone elses vote, position, program or plank in the whole platform?
I am not sure if biblically we can really say that if I am part of a country and vote, that I am morally held responsible for the choices those elected leaders make with their power.
Biblical ethics and world powers are sometimes two different creatures. Was Daniel held morally responsible for supporting the rulers of Babylon?
I am not sure about the logic of that line of thinking. I know that can sound like a way to dodge the issues...but I am seriously doubting that position from a Biblical perspective.
You have to hold the tension of the "soul that sins...dies" and the "blood of others in on our heads" if we dont speak the truth. But the choice is the souls not mine. I speak and live and represent but I can not control another persons will...not will I be held accountable for their choices.
I am an American but will I be held morally responsible for all of America's sins?
I've read the post and all of the comments, some of them several times, but just recently was able to read the actual article. When I saw it was from "Desiring God" (one of my favorite websites) I knew immediately that I would appreciate it. To have one of the most influential people in my life posting links to things written by one of the other most infuential people in my life is to feel the delight that comes from mutual appreciation, one of the greatest joys of my life.
I'm glad you found this article, because you're right, it's effective. It's also easy to read, memorable and not too long. I'm going to be sharing it with others. Thank you for posting it. :)
Justin,
"Is it ok to pick the lesser of two evils?"
I think you have to frame the question differently. The question is, "What is the most righteous choice?"
One of the two will win, so who will your choice be?
There are good leaders that God considered righteous that didn't always do the righteous things. There were righteous kings who did not tear down the high places, for example.
As a friend of mine put it, "Would you vote for Asa or David?"
Post a Comment