Commentary by Brett Younger: Another Christian voting guide_110104

Posted: 10/27/04

COMMENTARY:
Another Christian voting guide

By Brett Younger

I just received my “2004 Election Voter Guide Concerning Key Moral Issues and the Values War.” These “non-partisan” guides (ministers receive lots of them) dance around church/state election laws without ever being “non-partisan.”

The Citizen Leader Coalition lists issues by which Christians are to decide how to vote. They claim that the eight biggest religious concerns include (I wish I were making this up) government-sponsored prayer in public schools, a constitutional amendment on marriage, support of the Boy Scouts and assaults on Mel Gibson. I pray, I’m married, I was a Cub Scout and I loved “Braveheart,” but I feel certain that God must think there are bigger religious issues facing our country—issues that don’t seem important to either major political party:

Caring for the poor is a religious issue. While both parties argue over the middle class, no one is putting forth courageous policies that offer a real chance to poor families.

War is a religious issue. Jesus’ call to be peacemakers and love our enemies would seem out of place in either party’s platform.

Telling the truth is a religious issue. After each debate, several media outlets printed lists of lies each candidate has told. Both lists are getting longer.

Neither of the major parties is making a serious effort to consider how free trade might alleviate hunger, how basic medical coverage would alleviate suffering or how scrupulous concern for justice in the international arena could alleviate anger towards our country.

Christians are smart enough to consider issues beyond how candidates feel about Mel Gibson. Corporate ethics, capital punishment and the environment matter to Christians because our faith has something to say about honesty, revenge and creation.

When Dorothy Day was criticized for what observers saw as the inconsistency of her “radical” political life and “conservative” religious life, she responded: “I don’t act politically on the street or worship in church to fit in with people who are radical or people who are conservative. I read the Bible. I try to pay attention to the life of Jesus Christ. I try to follow his example. I stumble all of the time, but I try to keep going—along the road he walked for us. I belong to a church, and when I made the decision to join it, I knew my whole life would change. For me, everything is religious—politics and the family and work, they all are part of our obligation—to follow our Lord’s way.”

Imagine the good our country could do if Christians followed our Lord’s way and took God’s concern for the poor, peace and honesty into the voting booth. What wonderful things would happen if our values were derived from the life of Jesus Christ rather than politics?

Sincere Christians can choose to vote for President Bush or Senator Kerry—for reasons deeply rooted in their faith. We can and do disagree on how to enhance human rights, protect children, promote racial reconciliation and support gender equality. We may also share frustration that our politicians tend to appeal only to individual interests, national interests and special interests. Faith leads us away from narrow partisanship to act for the good of all people and live with concern for others.

On Nov. 2, I will get up early and walk down the street to Westcliff United Methodist Church to cast my ballot. I will vote with appreciation for that privilege and disappointment at the choices we’ve been given.

Brett Younger is pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas