iVoteValues

For His Glory

Posted by: Lisa Huddleston on November 6, 2008 Featured Article •

“Therefore … whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” (1 Cor. 10:31-33)

It has been on everyone’s lips for the past year or so—change. Republicans trying to distance themselves from the current administration’s woes and Democrats holding out remedies to cure our country’s ills—both sides vowing to provide desired change. And now that the election is behind us and the outcome is known, it is the word that remains. Change has come to America and with it a variety of early reactions: jubilant celebration, gracious concession, in-your-face rejoicing, fear, whining and complaining, heartfelt prayer, and apathetic resignation. That’s just within the body of Christ. And I have to admit to running the gamut of responses within my own heart since Tuesday night.

First, I congratulate our presidential candidates for their measured and calm responses to the results. President-elect Obama and Senator McCain did their best to set good examples for the rest of us that evening. I was proud of them both and happy to hear them encouraging unity for the good of us all. The tones of both men’s speeches echoed the biblical truth that “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). No one can argue against that.

However, Calm didn’t rule my heart long as my daughter called from her college campus to let me know about a riotous celebration that required the police and fire departments to be called to the parking lot right outside her window. I was reminded of the civil unrest of my childhood, and Fear took over the place that Calm had held. Not easily ruffled, she turned her box fan on high to drown the noise and went to bed, and I decided to follow her lead. After all, what could I do to change anything? And Apathy slipped onto the throne as I faded off.

When I awoke, poured a cup of coffee, and turned on my computer, I was met by Whining and Complaining as I read emails and blogs bemoaning our nation’s future. Fear reappeared and warred with Apathy. And Self-righteousness made an ugly grab for control as I responded with Indignation to hate-filled opinions expressed by fellow believers. How could they be so ignorant? And so the morning progressed until I finally opened my Bible.

I know. I should have started there. And as I read, I was reminded Who deserves to sit on the throne that had been taking such a beating. Not Fear, not Arrogance, not Apathy, not Whining and Complaining, but Jesus. He alone is Ruler of All. And He “has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” (2 Tim. 1:7). He commands us to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds—and all means all. No room for usurping pretenders. He alone is Lord. And then He tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Love—that is the way of Jesus. If we want to honor Him, then we have to love. Therefore, whatever we do, do everything for God’s glory. Give no offense to the Republicans or the Democrats or the church of God, just as we seek to please all people in all things, not seeking our own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Love—that is a change I can support with all my heart.

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Voting by the Book: Christians, the voting booth and the glory of God

Posted by: Jay T. Robertson on November 3, 2008 Featured Article •

By Jay T. Robertson

Walking into the voting booth, you thought you were clear on how to vote. But as you look over the ballot, some of the initiatives appear “more complicated” than you had thought. With a perplexed look on your face and uncertain thoughts flooding your mind, you begin to wonder why you need to vote. You are not alone. Many Americans are perplexed about the significance of their vote.

As election day draws nearer, many Christians interpret their civic responsibility differently. Some believe they should withdraw completely from the affairs of this early kingdom and only involve themselves in the affairs of the spiritual kingdom. Christians should have nothing to do with petitions, protests and ballots. Instead, believers must take up the weapons of the Spirit such as prayer meetings, gospel tracts and revival services.

Others seem to believe that revival can be ushered in on Air Force One if the right person is elected president. If the political institutions can be “Christianized,” a golden age will result.

But what about the majority of Christians who fall somewhere in between these two extreme positions? Should a Christian vote? Do Christians have an obligation to vote? What does voting have to do with a Christian worldview? What impact does voting have on the glory of God?

Called to shape, transform culture

As Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ and are transformed by the renewing of their minds, they are enabled to see life through the eyes of Christ. Spiritual maturity occurs as one acquires a biblical lens through which he sees the big picture of God’s plan. This big picture consists of four frames: creation, the fall, redemption and restoration.

God created the universe and everything and everyone in it. It was very good. The tempter came sowing seeds of doubt and making statements of denial concerning God and His truth. Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lie rather than Gods truth, resulting in a cursed universe. But God had a plan to redeem a people for Himself, so He sent Jesus into the world to die for sinners (and we all qualify). Jesus absorbed God’s wrath that should fall on us and He paid the penalty for our sins. Salvation is now available to all who will call on the name of the Lord.

Believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works. By God’s grace Christians are to shape and transform culture. Your light is to shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to God. Believers are to be transformers of society. God does not save people to sit, soak and sour on a church pew. Christians are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

So how does the voting booth relate to the glory of God? If you believe that all of life belongs to God and you have been saved to glorify God in all you do by making a difference in people’s lives, you cannot neglect involvement in politics. Christians often hesitate because politics can be a dirty business, but business will not improve unless believers participate by voting on the basis of biblical convictions and, for some, by serving in various elected positions. Christians should bring a different style and content to political life.

William Wilberforce serves as a great example. He was deeply Christian, vibrantly evangelical and passionately political in the British House of Commons over the long haul in the fight to end the African slave trade. On Oct. 28, 1787, Wilberforce wrote in his diary: “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of morals.”

In battle after battle in Parliament he was defeated because “the Trade” was so much woven into the financial interests of the nation. But he never gave up the two great objects God laid on his heart.

Twenty years later, at 4 a.m. Feb. 24, 1807, the decisive vote was cast and the slave trade was declared illegal in the British Empire. Members of the House of Commons rose and turned toward Wilberforce in a burst of parliamentary cheers, while the little man with the curved spine sat, head bowed, tears streaming down his face.

Walking in wisdom

As citizens of earth, as well as of heaven, we cannot complain about the political leaders we have, nor the decisions they make, unless we are willing to elect men and women of integrity who support policies that restrain evil and reinforce goodness. For Christians to make a difference in this world, as salt and light, they need to be involved in the political process, both by voting and by encouraging qualified men and women to enter the vocation of politics.

We simply cannot escape by pointing out the imperfections of leaders. That is the only kind of leaders there ever will be until the Leader returns to rule the cosmos.

Our calling in this world is not to wait for the perfect candidate to be placed on the ticket, but to pick our way through the thicket of flaws we find in a Genesis 3 world by walking in wisdom and voting for imperfect candidates who best reflect a biblical worldview.

The Lord Jesus does not offer us the luxury of disengagement from the political process. Jesus says: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). Even secular Caesar has his claim on our lives because God made human governments His way of running the world.

The apostle Paul writes: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1).

In a democratic republic like the one we are blessed to live in, that at least means we should vote.

Praying through complex situations

There are many ambiguities and complexities when it comes to voting for a particular kind of person as our political representative or for or against a party with a platform we endorse or reject.

Political decisions affect every aspect of our lives from taxation to issues such as stem-cell research, abortion, marriage, the family, war and economic policies. God has commanded us to “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find welfare” (Jer. 29:7).

The apostle Paul writes: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Praying for the welfare of our city and for our leaders is being involved in politics. If Christians would spend more time praying to our Father in heaven with broken hearts rather than murmuring and criticizing our political leaders while failing to pray for them, we could see God transform this nation.

Christians are to be a positive, godly influence in their communities.

Believers are citizens of both this world and the world to come, but a Christian’s heavenly citizenship must come first. The Christian’s dual citizenship leads to a tension which requires wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to perceive Christ-magnifying, gospel-fashioned, people-helping, community-transforming ways to live with the knowledge that God supplies us.

Wisdom is needed because so many of the decisions we have to make are not explicitly regulated by specific Scriptures.

Wisdom is needed as you think about having your citizenship permanently in heaven, not in America. How do you live on the earth when your life is hidden with Christ in God, when you are an alien and exile on this earth, and yet commanded to submit to the powers that be, and to love your neighbor, and to make a living, and to subdue the earth? How are we to be in the world and not of the world?

Although we must render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, we can never forget that we are exiles wherever we find ourselves and there are thus limitations on Christian allegiance to any political structure, political ideology or even nation or king.

God’s passion for justice

In addition to wisdom, Christians need courage to vote against injustices in our political systems.

God’s passion for justice is clearly seen in the Bible. Amos declares: “Take away from the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:23-24).

Since God is passionate for justice and righteousness, we must have the courage to take a stand and vote in a manner consistent with His desires. We must look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others.

When you walk into the voting booth Nov. 4, the kingdom of God will not be on the ballot.

However, there will be electoral choices that significantly impact the common good. And your choices are important. May you enter the voting booth and make your selections for the glory of God and the good of your fellow man.

This article is reprinted from the October 2, 2008, issue of The Alabama Baptist, the newspaper of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

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Characteristics of a Godly Candidate

Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on November 3, 2008 Biblical Values •

Just one day before we find out who will be leading our country for the next four years, I thought it would be appropriate to make one last push for voting your values. I read a Baptist Press article recently about Pastor Ed Young Jr. and a sermon series he preached called, “Politicked.”

He told his congregation that Scripture is all you need when deciding which candidate to vote for on Election Day. I thought it would be good to share the characteristics these candidates should possess with the readers of this blog:

1) Character: “When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). We must elect righteous leaders and take their private conduct seriously. 2) Conviction: “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing [them], but the righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). We must elect a leader who has conviction according to the absolute truth found in God’s Word. 3) Courage: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them” (Proverbs 11:3). Courage is behavior, according to Young. We must choose a candidate who knows what is right and isn’t afraid to speak truth into our culture and world. 4) Compassion: “Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy” (Proverbs 31:8-9). We must choose a candidate who is a rescuer and defender of those both unborn and alive. 5) Constituency: Young says to look and see who is supporting and opposing each candidate. Then ask yourself, “What do these people stand for? What kind of values do they hold?”

Second Timothy 4:3-4 says this: “For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will accumulate teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.

We are living in that time. People have chosen to view what is right as wrong and what is wrong as right. They’ve chosen to disregard the Bible as the source of absolute truth. Instead, they’ve decided to pick and choose what they believe from various sources.

It’s “go” time. First, decide to believe only in the truth from God’s Word. Then, go and vote for the candidate that will lead this country accordingly.

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The Election and the Supreme Court

Posted by: By Kelly Boggs on October 28, 2008 Featured Article •

Many hot-button issues have been debated over the course of the current presidential campaign. Of late, the struggling American economy has been the topic de jour. Missing from too many discussions and speeches, however, is perhaps the most searing issue–the likely appointment of one or more Supreme Court justices.

Supreme Court justices, once confirmed, are appointed for life. Hence, their influence over American society and its laws can span more than three decades. Long after a president leaves office, his appointee(s) will be rendering decisions that will impact the life and liberty of all Americans.

(For example, President Ford left office more than 30 years ago, but one of his nominees, John Paul Stevens, is still on the court.)

More times than not, a Supreme Court nominee will possess ideological and philosophical views that closely mirror those of the president making the appointment. Hence, a president with a more liberal view of the Constitution will usually nominate a like-minded jurist. A president with a conservative or constructionist view of our nation’s guiding document will be more likely to favor an individual with the same understanding. A recent Supreme Court ruling on the Second Amendment illustrates just how significant a president’s appointment(s) can be.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that individual Americans do have the right to own guns. The decision overturned a Washington D.C. law that banned private handgun possession.

What I found most interesting about the decision was that it was a 5-4 ruling, meaning that four of the justices were willing to uphold the law D.C. law that flies in the face of the Second Amendment.

Of the five judges that voted to uphold gun ownership, two were recent appointments–Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito–made by President Bush.

If John Kerry had won the presidency in 2004, the outcome of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Second Amendment likely would have been entirely different. I do not know who he would have nominated for the two vacant seats on our nation’s high court, but most agree they would have not been jurists like Roberts and Alito.

The ruling was but the latest 5-4 decision on significant social issues. The 2007 ruling that upheld the federal ban on partial-birth abortion was decided by a one-vote margin, as was the decision this year that ruled the death penalty could not be used on child rapists.

The next president, be he John McCain or Barack Obama, likely will have the responsibility of appointing one, and perhaps two, Supreme Court justices.

Stevens is the oldest of the judges at 88 and is considered by some to be the most liberal of the current justices. It is very likely Stevens will retire during the next few years.

Three other justices are in their 70s and one will turn 70 in a few weeks. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 75 and survived a bout with colon cancer in 1999. Both Stevens and Ginsburg voted with the liberal wing in all three aforementioned cases.

Antonin Scalia is 72 years old, and Anthony Kennedy will turn 72 July 23. Scalia voted with the conservative wing on all three cases, and Kennedy–the swing vote on significant cases–sided with the conservatives on two of them. Stephen Breyer will turn 70 in August. He joined the liberal wing in all three cases.

Though not likely, it is entirely possible that any one of the aforementioned septuagenarians could choose to retire during the next president’s term in office. Even 68-year-old David Souter has said he looks forward to retiring and returning to New Hampshire.

Given the fact that one justice could have swung the ruling on issues of abortion, the death penalty and the Second Amendment, it is clear that the next president’s position on possible Supreme Court nominees is of monumental significance.

So while I want to know Obama and McCain’s views on terrorism, energy and the economy, I am intensely interested in what kind of justices they will appoint to the Supreme Court. Will they nominate strict constructionists like Scalia, Thomas, Alito a

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The Danger of Dining at a Buffet of Morals

Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on October 22, 2008 Biblical Values •

Thomas Jefferson is often touted as being a great Founding Father of our nation. And while he was certainly instrumental in our nation’s beginnings, it is interesting to note he was also one of the greatest deists in that group.

A well-known skeptic of religion and God, it is reported that he took scissors to his copy of the Bible—cutting out all accounts of supernatural experiences and what he believed to be misinterpretations from the Gospels. He called it “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,” which was later renamed the Jefferson Bible by friends.

Saying the outcome of the book was the result of a lifetime of reflection, he began with Jesus’ birth, but left out the part about the angel, virgin birth, and prophecy. He took out the miracles of Jesus and references to His divinity. And he took out the account of the resurrection ending it abruptly with this: “There laid they Jesus. And rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.”

You may be appalled at Jefferson’s temerity, but it’s important we know this historical fact. Just this last week, I heard this illustration and it brought to my attention how often people do this very thing today—probably much more than we realize.

People—yes, even self-proclaimed Christians—treat the Bible like its a buffet, where they go to pick and choose what they like and what they don’t. And especially concerning many of today’s societal hot topics, they decide what things they’re going to believe and what they refuse to accept—even going so far as to manipulate its words to fit their ideals.

God’s Word is complete, inerrant, and infallible. Let me say this again—God’s Word is whole, including all supernatural events, with no mistakes or holes, and is not to be misinterpreted.

Revelation 22:18-19 says, “To everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book [the Bible]: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this prophetic book, God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, written in this book.”

In the wake of the upcoming election and the increasing wave of people accepting a melting pot religion, let’s never forget that God’s Word is complete truth—plain and simple—and, yes, sometimes the truth hurts. Stand firm on it. Believe in it. Share it with others.

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An Unknown Future

Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on October 20, 2008 Biblical Values •

So have you made your choice yet? The debates are over. The accusations are flying. The candidates are consistently bashing each other on the topics of energy, spending, taxes, and health care. It’s go time.

It looks like it’s going to be another tight race this year. So in this time of uncertainty, how should you respond? Wait in anticipation? Get out and act? I have two suggestions: pray and vote.

Pray first. Pray for the candidates. Pray for Americans. Pray for our government. Pray for God’s will to be done in this election. Then vote. As an American citizen, it’s your responsibility to get out and vote. And as I’ve suggested before, vote your values, not because you’re following the popular trend.

The Bible says, “Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it. … I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow” (Ecclesiastes 8:7-8, 12-13).

We don’t know our future. We don’t know the outcome of the coming election. And we can’t be sure of what’s going to happen when whoever is elected takes office and begins his “reign.” But we do know this. God is in control and He’s given us an opportunity to act in a way that is reverent and glorifying to Him.

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Relevant Magazine: “Right Wing, Wrong Bird”

Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on October 20, 2008 Biblical Values •

The following are great tips for engaging in politics before our upcoming election. In this article, published in the most recent issue of Relevant Magazine, Dr. Joel C. Hunter gives six steps to a new understanding of political engagement:

Step 1: Get Away from Confrontational Demonstration—to Think I define a demonstration as one or more people confronting us with a political issue. The confrontation has the effect of arousing our emotions and capturing our attention. … The primary step in addressing religio-political situations is to calm down so that the atmosphere will permit reason. … The most effective way is separating the time of the demonstration from the time we make the decision about the issue. … Time is needed to quell inner fears. We need to ask rational questions such as, “What is best for the common good?” or “What is the opposite side to the one being presented by the demonstration?” or “What do the emotions in me have to do with the issues at hand?”

Step 2: Overlook a Narrow Religious Perspective Truth is stranger than fiction; truth is also stronger than friction. It seems logical to assume that Christianity is strongest when it is most forceful. It also seems logical to assume that if the Christian tradition is under attack, we should fight back. … It would be so natural to respond to mockery with a counterattack. Both Jesus and the religious crowd were threatened, but the two reacted differently. The Jews tried to protect their religion by complaining to the authorities. They organized as much political force as they could muster. … Jesus, on the other hand, offered no defense. He was not interested in justifying Himself. … He used no religious talk. He used the highest universal goal—the truth—and was confident that those who were seeking the truth would understand Him (see John 18:37). Such a strategy made Him vulnerable; such a strategy made Him invincible.

Step 3: Observe Deep Principles Rather than Shallow Politics Looking at issues and candidates only as religious conduits is wrong. Thinking through candidates’ strategies and issues will always help us in searching for truth. … The great benefit Christians should bring to the American political process is one of depth. Those who see the world in more than one dimension, who think in terms of ages longer than this life, are valuable voices. The basis of our decision to follow Christ was that we would live in light of the future. That basis is also best for politics but is quite rare.

Step 4: Decide from Prayer and Scriptural Principles There is a public-private conflict inherent in the structure of American politics. The political ideal calls individuals to make decisions for the good of the whole group…[or] on the basis of loyalty to a particular subgroup’s interests. The first requires the person to act as an individual; the second influences him not to think as an individual. … Groupthink can eliminate the uncomfortable process of individual study of the Scriptures, prayer and contemplation of the issues. … Politics is essentially a group activity. But, as with religion, it must be primarily an individual decision tied to a heart for people and unwavering values from Scripture. … But first we must train ourselves to think like Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). Our ultimate commitment is to let Him be our guide in personal decisions about everything, including politics.

Step 5:Act! Action perfects our faith, our witness, and our world. … God is interested in developing in us a faith perfected by works (see James 2:22). … Action also perfects our witness. Not only is God waiting for us to participate politically, but so is the world. Do we mean what we believe? How will the world know if we do not act upon what we believe? Let’s not be intimidated by secular people who disparage Christian involvement in politics. It is not the Christian involvement but usually the manner and the tone of Christian involvement that bothers them. Nonbelievers watch to see whether the followers of Christ will ever make a significant difference outside the walls of their churches. … Through our government we have the chance to profoundly influence the lives of people all over the world.

Step 6: Cooperate with Others and Encourage Understanding Cooperation and tolerance are not twins. … Many of us have failed to distinguish between the two. … Tolerance is often based in indifference. … Both our nation and the Lord require of us maximum effort to effect our destiny. On the experiential level, individual participation is demanded, and passion is required. … Scripture calls for the same passion in our efforts (see Revelation 3:15-16). … Indifference disguised as tolerance is not acceptable. We cannot hang our acceptance of other people’s opinions over shrugged shoulders. Cooperation requires caring about and participating with the opposition. It involves healing by hearing without retreat. It involves healing by offering our side without apology, whatever the reaction. … Conversation helps us understand how others perceive our ideals, and it helps us shape those ideals into service.

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Should Some People Not Vote?

Posted by: Dwayne Hastings on October 15, 2008 Hot Issues •

John Stossel, an ABC News reporter known for his work on the network’s 20/20 program, asked the question as he and his camera crew interviewed some newly registered young people at a rock concert: “Should some people not vote?”

While it is an intriguing question, the answer is certainly “no.” While many Americans cast their ballots in ignorance each Election Day, that doesn’t mean any voter should be disqualified because of their lack of understanding of the issues or the candidates themselves. In fact, who among us have not come to a choice on the ballot, particularly in the area of the retention of judges, and voted “yes” or “no” without forethought?

There have been times in our nation’s history when some citizens were denied their right to vote because of their inability to pay a poll tax, a lack of academic education, or their race or sex. Fortunately those times are behind us.

That said, it is our obligation to fully educate ourselves on the issues and the candidates before we vote. For those of us who claim to be Christ-followers, we need to insure that we consider the Bible’s perspective on the issues of the day as we ponder the candidates’ positions on those issues.

To help Americans in getting grasp on the candidates representing the two major U.S. political parties, we developed a useful resource that lines up excerpts from the platforms of the Democrat and Republican party. The Party Platform Comparison Guide, available for download at no charge and in a print edition (limited copies available for sale), contains no analysis or commentary. It is composed of direct quotes (without campaign rhetoric) from the two group’s position statements.

The question is not “Should some people not vote?”; but instead, “Why would anyone vote without knowing what the candidates believe on the issues?”

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The Lesser-Known Vote

Posted by: Cherilyn Crowe on October 15, 2008 Featured Article •

Every four years, three big events impact every American citizen:

We have an extra day in February.
We adjust our television viewing schedules to accommodate the Summer Olympics.
We vote for President.

But, many of us spend more time learning the obscure rules of sports we normally care nothing about than the people whose names we’ll stare at on the ballot on November 4.

By now, you probably know at least something about the candidates for President and Vice President. But, those aren’t the only votes you can cast this year. Every member of the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for re-election. One third of all U.S. Senators will be on the ballot. And, you will likely have some combination of state legislative races, amendments, or city races in your area. I always take great care in selecting who I want to send to Washington, but I also think the “lesser” races are just as important for all of us.

Why do these races matter to me? Jesus tells us the way we treat the “least” of those around us is very important, and it’s a reflection of what we think about Him (Matthew 25:31-46). Jesus also recognized the importance of the government leaders (like Caesar) in our lives (Matthew 22:15-22), but he directly dealt with the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-67).

I also know that if I am going to get serious about making an impact in my world, following the international gold medal count won’t get me anywhere. My local candidates may seem like the least important people in this election cycle, but they are my most direct connections to the government. They are the officials I can actually talk to when I want to solicit support for a cause. They determine the zoning ordinances that decide what I can do to my house, business, and church. And, they could become the people on the presidential ticket. Sarah Palin began her political career on the city council, and Barack Obama served in his state’s general assembly. What if your local government official ran on the presidential ticket in the next decade…and you didn’t know if you had helped or hurt their early political career?

I was not always passionate about the so-called “lesser” races. The first time I exercised my right to vote, I went to the polls only informed about the big races. When I got to the booth, there were races and names I knew nothing about. So, I started selecting names that sounded interesting.

Then I stopped to think about it. What if I was a sheltered vegetarian who went to a McDonald’s for the first time. Imagine walking in, looking at the menu, and saying, “Well, I don’t know anything about these food options, but that word ‘McNuggets’ is kind of cool, so I’ll choose that.” Why would I order something I don’t believe in and end up with something I don’t support? I could have taken a few minutes online to find out the menu options before I got there—is that so hard?

I admit it can be more entertaining to learn about the strange rules of doubles ping-pong or the latest shenanigans in the presidential race, instead of what a “yes” vote means on a complicated referendum. But, the other people and issues on the ballot this year will shape your life in ways a President cannot. You have an extra 24 hours this year, so why not use some of that time to know the issues in every race? There will always be time to learn about team handball.

This commentary reprinted with permission from LifeWay Christian Resources. This article was originally published in Threads.

About the Author

Cherilyn Crowe is the senior producer for NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. She produces a variety of topical and political programs, and she was also part of the media circus covering the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate at Belmont University.

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Sorting out the issues before Election Day

Posted by: Dwayne Hastings on October 7, 2008 Hot Issues •

Before you step into the voting booth on Election Day, it is critically important that you and every voter get a good grasp of not only what the candidates are saying, but what they aren’t saying.

To help you in this regard and to cut through the clutter of campaign rhetoric, the iVoteValues.com team has developed a nonpartisan Party Platform Comparison Guide. This resource, which we have published every presidential election year since 1992, is not a collection of quotes or voting records of the candidates. It is built from sections of the party platforms that have been carefully excerpted. The resource contains no analysis or commentary. While the guide does not cover every issue, it does include quotes from the two party’s postion statements on a host of topics, from civil rights, human trafficking, illegal immigration, judicial appointments and stem cell research, among others.

Given that it is a balanced, nonpartisan resource, we believe it is well within the guidelines set forth under the IRS tax code for distribution within 501(C)(3) organizations, which includes most churches.

While the Party Platform Comparison Guide will give voters a good idea of where the two parties stand on a wide variety of subject areas, concerned voters should read the the actual platforms for themselves. Links to the platforms are available here. Unfortunately, time and space considerations do not allow us to reference the myriad of other political parties that are contending for the White House in this publication.

The Party Platform Comparison Guide is available in digital format and a limited number of the guides can be purchased, in 25-count bundles, from the ERLC by calling (800) 475-9127 or at the ERLC’s online marketplace, familybookstore.net.

To the best of our knowledge there is no resource like this available. Again, it is not a traditonal “voter’s guide,” as you may have seen in the past from other organizations. This resource was developed to give voters a straight-up, above-board glimpse at what the two major parties say on some very important issues. It’s worth a look!