OK guys this is gonna be a long one! I am on my soapbox today. I’m probably opening up a whole can of worms and I am sure I am gonna get all kinds of comments to this one. But, this subject is on my heart and mind so I’m gonna let it flow. One of the docs I work for today actually told me I was “unchristian” if I voted democratic in the upcoming presidential elections. This got me to thinking about my own moral views, my obligation to do the right thing, and all the emails and comments I have heard in the past few weeks regarding the elections and the candidates.
First of all, I hear so many things from both party views. My husband is a die hard democrat and probably 98% of my friends and co-workers are republican. I am neither, yes, I am a fence rider. I vote based the person and their particular stance on issues that are important to me. My husband, the government and economics teacher, tells me that parties do not matter so much at the local level, but make a huge difference at the state and national levels. So that leaves me to do A LOT of research to find out the REAL facts. This election is actually keeping me up at night. I know I am just one person, but I want to make the right choice. I have looked over multiple biblical scriptures that address the issue of christianity and government/politics and I am STILL undecided about who to vote for. But to all my republican friends who send me negative stuff about Obama all the time, you all should realize there is just as much negativity surrounding the McCain camp.
Here are some of the scriptures I have looked at recently: ( Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25-render unto caesar) (John 18:36;Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-37-socialism) (Romans 13:1-7-obey earthly laws) (Genesis 19:4-29 and Leviticus 18:22 in the Old Testament, and Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:10-homosexuality) . Too many to list on the topic of abortion.
Click here to view the democratic platform The Democratic Party; here for the republican platform http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/
Here is my stance on the issues (not than anyone cares). I’ll just cover the biggies:
· Abortion and stem cell research: I am totally against using abortion as a method of birth control. However, I do think some allowances for mother’s health, rape, or incest should be taken into account. The bible states that God knows us even before we are conceived.
Therefore, should we not also take the same stance as Catholics since any act of intercourse is a possibility for conception? But I am really not sure if the bible clearly defines when life begins. So, I have to rely on my background in science to guide my views on this issue and the issue of stem cell research. I have to think that God gave some scientist the brilliance to figure out that these tiny cells can cure some forms of cancer, debilitating disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's, grow entire organs (if your are not a donor, you should be!) and so many more that we don’t know about yet. These cells can be harvested at the time of full term births (from the umbilical cord). They don’t have to be harvested from aborted fetuses. If this research, along with God’s will of course, could help your mother, father, your child, why wouldn’t you vote for that?
· Homosexuality- I think that marriage should be between a man and a woman. And, I do think it is a sin to live a homosexual lifestyle. It is also a sin to have premarital sex, eat too much, etc... yet we do not deny any of those offenders basic civil rights. So let's be fair, if our government is going to allow people shacking up common law benefits, then everyone should get them. When I worked in San Francisco, we had a patient on life support that was gay. He and his partner had been together for 15 years. He had not spoken to his parents or siblings in 20 years, but his parents were the ones who got to make his end of life decisions. I don’t think that’s right. Sin is sin whether you are gay or straight, but everyone should have earthly human rights extended to them.
· Environment- we have to acknowledge that this problem actually exists and we have to do something about it now. If not for us, then for our children and grandchildren. I keep hearing about the debate to drill off shore for oil or not. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how much oil we drill for if we don’t have the refineries to refine it in. Instead of spending all that money drilling and refining and giving more and more money to the oil companies, why can’t we develop the solar, wind, and hydrogen technologies that are already there? These alternative energy sources are available NOW, they just need to be marketed and produced on a national scale.
· Economics- boy this one really gets my goat. I hate that we have trillions in dollars deficit yet we keep spending and spending. Guess who’s gonna pay for it, our kids! This is the policy that most makes me turn against the republican party. When this administration took office, we had a billion dollar surplus, gas was 1.46 a gal., I could buy milk, bread, and eggs for less than $5, and we had a balanced budget.
· Socialism- I am with the republicans on this one. I am all for helping those who REALLY need helping and those who just cannot work, but I cannot justify helping people who are just too lazy to work. I don’t like the idea of redistributing wealth. As for socialized healthcare-no way! The government can’t handle the programs it already has in place. Why add more government programs for corruption and bad management?
I am so fed up with both parties spreading lies about the other party’s nominees. I am going to side with the democrats on this issue because I get sooo many emails and remarks about Obama and his campaign that are just not true. I think everyone should have all the information about both candidates to make an informed decision. Obama is not a Muslim nor is he the antichrist! Those of you who say otherwise, please do your research. And to those of you who say it is “unchristian” to vote democratic because of their stance on abortion, gay rights, and stem cell research, let’s look at the GOP’s record on those issues. I hear a lot of lip service about those hot button issues, but no action. Even when the republicans had complete control over EVERY branch of government (legislative-congress and house of representatives, executive-president and vice president, and judicial-supreme court) they did nothing to change or implement any laws or regulation regarding these issues. I am Christian because I believe Jesus came, died for my sins, rose from the grave, and will return for his kingdom no matter what my views on these issue are. I like Brian McLaren’s comment; he says “too many members of our faith communities continue to be manipulated by cynical politicians who know what tune to play to get people of faith marching obediently in their parade." McLaren adds that Christians may not be in agreement with every detail of a campaign, but says "we're electing a president, not a Messiah."
Here is a link about Obama’s religious background Cover Story: Barack Obama's Christian Journey Newsweek Politics: Campaign 2008 Newsweek.com. You can find info on John McCain’s religious views at http://www.johnmccain.com/
I would like to add that Obama does have some questionable acquaintances, but McCain spouts some nasty things out of his conservative mouth. If you would like to read some examples, please go to politicalhumor.about.com/od/johnmccain/a/mccainisms.htm
I, so far, am not endorsing either party, but I know that even political decisions are still decisions that need to be Biblically informed as much as possible. When there are no clear cut answers evident in the bible, we must pray that we each make the moral decision. But when there are biblical principles, we have a Christian duty to take that into consideration in forming our political viewpoints.
Whew! All that thinkin’ makes my brain hurt and I’m drugged up on cold medicine. So I’m goin to bed now!
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