The Presidential election campaigns are officially underway. Let the name-calling, lies, half-truths, biased “newscasts”, and un-informed opinions begin! Wait….that’s been going on for quite a while, hasn’t it? I’m afraid it’s going to get worse, though. Never have I seen such division, anger, and hatred in our great nation, and it pains me to say that all of that is fueled by the media.
Prior to the French Revolution there was said to be three “estates”: First, the clergy, then the nobility, followed by the common man. In 1878 a man named Thomas Burke said this: “there were Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters’ Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all”. He rightly observed the power of the press 144 years ago. But Oscar Wilde, noted poet and playwright in the late 1800’s made a statement that still rings true today and it bothered me. He said that the fourth estate “…has eaten up the other three. The Lords Temporal say nothing, the Lords Spiritual have nothing to say, and the House of Commons has nothing to say and says it. We are dominated by Journalism”.
I hope you caught that. The “Lords Spiritual” (the clergy) have nothing to say. I think it is an insult to God’s people that we stay silent…the clergy and the laity as well. Why is the voice of God carrying less weight than a bunch of people reading their version of current events? The first reason, I believe is that a majority of Christians live a lifestyle that nullifies their witness and makes them out to be hypocrites when espousing God’s Word. The other reason is that we are afraid to be called out, ridiculed, and demeaned for our Christian beliefs. We are “chicken”.
When it comes to politics I usually err on the side of caution. I don’t want to say something that is purely political and possibly prevent me from sharing the Gospel with someone whom I have offended. With the political climate quickly becoming more and more “Christophobic” I think that must change somewhat. So…let me tell you why I vote how I vote. I vote by the Word of God. That is Why I vote for the candidate/party that I believe most closely follows what I will call the 4 basics of God:
- It is no cosmic accident. God created life. He alone should be the arbitrator of life. When we allow humans to determine who should be born and who should die in the womb, we violate the purpose and character of God.
2..God has a purpose for family and His reasoning shows that purpose. Marriage is to be between opposite sexes so that life continues; humans are to propagate the human species.
3.This is almost a subset of family but does encompass more. God created two sexes, male and female. He gave them different characteristics so that they completed each other in ways that greatly enhance the afore mentioned propagation.
4.God created all races and He created them in His image, and they all have equal value and dignity. Racism is abhorrent to God.
So, there you have it. I, as a Christian, could never vote for any political party that promotes and advocates for abortion, same-sex marriage, the LBGT movement, or racial divide. A leader may go off “half-cocked” sometimes and say dumb stuff occasionally. He may be a braggart and vindictive to his political opponents. He may not be very likable. But as long as his party doesn’t kill babies in the womb, try to destroy the Godly and historic and purpose of marriage, and use race as a means to hold power while destroying true brotherhood I will vote for him. Every time.
It’s really quite simple.
Bro. Tony