Land says ERLC will keep helping Americans ‘vote values’_62705

Posted: 6/26/05

Land says ERLC will keep
helping Americans 'vote values'

By Lisa Watson

Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine

NASHVILLE—Southern Baptists and the Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission are part of a movement for faith-based citizens to vote their values, said commission President Richard Land.

“There is a new force loose in America, and it is people who are going to vote traditional religious values,” Land told Southern Baptist messengers June 21 during his address to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville.

Last year the commission’s “I Vote Values” campaign—including a website and an 18-wheel tractor-trailer exhibit and information center—helped more than 400,000 people “vote in a more intelligent, more concerned way,” Land insisted.

“We said to Americans of traditional values, you need to be registered to vote, you need to be an informed voter, and when you vote, you need to vote your values, your beliefs and your convictions” he continued.

Land said the commission helped Southern Baptists vote their convictions, be informed about candidates’ positions on issues and encourage others to vote their values.

In last year’s last presidential election, he added, almost 25 percent of voters said moral issues were the most important deciding factor for them.

Land also said two-thirds of Americans do not want same sex marriage. “They are not going to allow a runaway imperial judiciary to impose it upon them against their will,” he continued. “We still have a government of the people, by the people and for the people if we will stand up and demand it.” He mentioned that nineteen states have already passed a marriage amendment.

“We believe there is still an opportunity for America to turn back to God,” said Land. He said the job of Christians is to be salt and light to bring about another great awakening or reformation in America.

Land also presented a video about homosexuality created by an SBC task force, organized in 2001, to develop a redemptive ministry to homosexuals. “Homosexuality is not just something that people do,” said Land, who was appointed to the task force. “Homosexuals are convinced that their homosexuality is part of who they are. We must come to the place where we understand that homosexuality is a symptom of deeper influences.

“We must share with them the truth of God’s love and God’s plan for their lives,” he continued. “And we must provide them with places of safe haven, love, peace, where they can reconnect and let God work his miracle of grace and healing in their lives.”

Land exhorted those in attendance to contact the ERLC staff and trustees. “We want to hear from you. We want to help you … to work with you to change America for God Almighty and the Lord Jesus Christ.”