Why I voted for...
"Let me put my thoughts into my own words first, then share with you some stuff I heard from Don Miller (Christian author of Blue Like Jazz).
I have voted Republican my entire life. My father is a strong Republican and very active in politics. He taught me to value to the political process and invest my time and resources in candidates we support. So since I was a child, I volunteered at the polls passing out material for candidates, and then when I turned 18 I volunteered as a poll worker.
Four years ago, I began to seriously discern my vote, not just rely on my father's opinion. Sort of like when people believe in God only because their parents do... I had to figure out what I thought regarding the political parties and their particular ideologies. I prayed earnestly through the 2004 election and decided to vote for George Bush.
A year later I traveled oversees for the first time on a mission trip. During that trip, I was approached by numerous evangelical Christians who wanted to know if it really was the evangelical vote that elected Bush for the second time. When I told them "yes, it was largely due to the evangelical vote and that evangelicals largely voted for Bush" they were shocked. Their image of Bush was anything but Christ-like. He did not measure up to their image of Christ, a peace-maker, who cared for the least of these. They asked me why I voted for Bush. When I told them it was because abortion was an issue I cared deeply about (side note: my husband and I have tried for eight years to get pregnant- it really grieves me to know there are women who are pregnant and terminate their pregnancies). But when I had to defend how voting for Bush was going to make the difference on abortion, I couldn't connect the dots. Even though I hate abortion, I don't believe you can legislate morality. That is why I spent 10 years working for Young Life. I believe we have to prevent unwanted pregnancies, not simply "outlaw" abortion (see below on abortion). In the end, I gave away my vote on a premise that I don't even believe in. In hindsight, I definitely would not have voted for Kerry- so I'm not sure what I would have done...
It really shook up what I believed about how I should vote. Since then I have spent countless hours (and really days, weeks, months, and years) discussing this very issue. If you look at my status, I label my religious beliefs as "red letter Christians". I think evangelicals have moved away from the teachings of Christ. I want my vote to reflect what was important to Jesus- across the board, not just on one or two issues. And I don't want to ever be "in the back pocket" of either political party. I have a bumper sticker on my car that says "God is not a Republican or a Democrat".
I still believe in the political process. The government plays a critical role in each of our lives, and I want faith to inform and infiltrate that process. That being said, I'll mention one last idea that has greatly shifted my political ideology and why I voted for Barack Obama. A friend of mine, from a war torn political polarized country (worse than ours) said once, "Don't vote for the candidate that serves your needs the most, vote for the candidate who will serve the least of these". I believe, in this election, Barack will do his best to serve the poor, the outcast, the oppressed, the forgotten, the very ones that Jesus came to serve. Will he be perfect, absolutely not! Is McCain "more American"? Depends on how we define what makes us "American". I don't believe it has to do with where our hands our during the pledge or if we wear a lapel pin or not.
Here are some specific comments on the "issues":
Donald Miller is a Christian leader and author who is publicly campaigning for Obama throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Donald Miller on Abortion: "I am a pro-life voter, but do not believe John McCain’s plan on the issue will work. McCain’s only stand on the issue has been a recent switch to a pro-life position, and a promise to continue the attempt to criminalize abortion through the Supreme Court. I believe this is an empty promise, and anybody who understands our judicial system would know this. Chief Justice John Roberts of the Supreme Court (our most conservative Judge, many feel, and the pro-lifers greatest hope for the plan to criminalize abortion) has stated that Roe V. Wade “is the law of the land” and has been backed up in precedent by the Casey case. He does not believe it is plausible to overturn both rulings. Of course it is possible, but it would take a judicial miracle and the appointment of even more conservative, activist judges. This is the only way the overturning of Roe V. Wade will happen. The continuation of rhetoric about being pro-life but not having a realistic plan has tired me of the Republican Party. As more and more evangelicals walk away, I hope Republicans will stop giving lip-service to this important issue. My hope is they will realize they are going to lose more and more votes until they are willing to engage in a bipartisan effort to make progress with comprehensive legislation that is realistic and actual.
"The Democrats have proposed comprehensive legislation called the 95/10 initiative that aims to reduce the number of abortions that take place in this country by 95% within 10 years. While Barack Obama is a pro-choice candidate, he supports this and similar legislation. This is the only proposed and realistic strategy that can move us around the cultural impasse that is breathing hate and anger into the Christian community.
"While Barack Obama opposes late-term abortions, he has made promises to the National Organization or Women to make progress in a woman’s right to chose. I wish Obama were more strong on this issue. Still, I do feel he will accomplish more than John McCain, as John McCain has only recently taken this position and offers no legislation and no plan.
"This is a very debatable issue. There are facts on both sides that seem to refute any argument made. But I have had to do the research and take a position and, for now, this is my position."
Donald Miller on Gay Marriage: "This is not an issue I think much about because I am neither gay nor married, but I understand the evangelicals desire to protect the sanctity of marriage and define it as an exclusive relationship between a man and a woman. I agree with both candidates on this issue as they both oppose gay marriage but protect constitutional rights for domestic partners. In order to oppose civil rights for homosexuals, you would have to change the constitution which I think is dangerous. I agree with McCain and Obama both on this issue as they have stated the same position.
"On other issues that are no less important although less heated such as the economy, globalization and trade, the environment and energy, I support Barack Obama’s positions over John McCain’s."
Donald Miller on Faith: "But let me make something very clear. I don’t dislike John McCain. I think he is a good man and a drastic improvement over Republican candidates in the past. I do wish he were a Christian, or would talk about faith, Jesus, Redemption or the Cross. Barack Obama does, very often, and very unashamedly.I am uncomfortable with the idea of a truly secular man in the White House, a man who has no church, no pastor, does not read the Bible and may not even pray. John McCain seems like a good man, but a secular man. I want our next President to talk and listen to God."
www.donaldmillerwords.com
No comments:
Post a Comment