Election Day Thoughts

It’s Tuesday and it’s election day. I voted early this morning. It was crowded and rainy. I was greeted by people safely outside the zone offering ’sample ballots’ telling me who to vote for. Both parties hit me up. One party had 20 young college students and one party had one lone senior citizen. I declined both. I voted. I will not tell you who I voted for but I do want to share some thoughts.

After 22 months of running for office today is the day we find out. I say that but I remember in 2000 we waited a lot longer for chads to be dealt with and we all know how long that took.

As a Christian and a pastor I will give you a few random thoughts about this day.

*I’m glad it’s finally here. I too am tired of the endless speeches and debates. Yet I’ll be honest I follow politics carefully and am involved in what is gong on.

*I’m glad we can vote. Not everyone can nor does everyone do it but they should. In some countries you don’t have the opportunity we have. I’m so glad we can and give thanks for it.

*I’m saddened by the way some people have behaved. I tire of the negativity but now it has always been there (Lincoln/Douglass debates–hello?). I’m sad by the hype and fear and rumors I hear from emails and citizens. I don’t mind people being upset/passionate about real issues but rumors that are easily debunked by simple fact checking that are spread have made me sad.

*I’m sad by how churches and Christian groups sometimes act. James Dobson used to be a guy who did produce some very helpful resources/books for parents, etc. But he has become so political and partisan I am sad. He has recently released a ‘letter from 2012′ where he paints a picture of the US in 4 years if Obama wins. He says that Christians will be forced to allow gay marriages in our churches, hire gay staff, Israel will wind up bombed by Iran, Christians are jailed, college ministries banned, the pledge is not allowed in schools, terrorism happens in the US and so on. It’s way over the top and dumb. Why would a Christian ministry that is about parenting and family issues be this political and fear mongering? And I’d say the same thing if it was about Ralph Nader or John McCain. I preferred Rick Warren’s approach of conversation and engagement without taking sides.

Christians have a right to have opinions and to share them. We have a right to talk about moral issues. We have a right to talk about social issues and justice. But we must speak the truth with love!!!!!

As a Baptist I also hold to the separation of church and state. Vote but don’t let your preacher tell you who to vote for! I am a pastor and I love my members who vote for McCain and those who vote for Obama and those who don’t vote. I am not working for the DNC or RNC. So talk about issues but don’t push candidates. Whenever the state and church get together everyone losses. We don’t need the state to run the church or the church to run the state.

I was watching a mega church down the road on TV. Thomas Road is no stranger to politics. Founder Jerry Falwell loved to push the issue. His son is now pastor and Sunday he joked about there being an election Sunday then said that it was bring a friend day and he brought a few friends. He had them stand and they were former pows who served with McCain. He had a Republican candidate for another office stand and folks applauded. He then had Governor Huckabee give a word about America. They didn’t official say who to vote for but it was pretty obvious. But inviting one candidate and not the other and then having them stand for a local race doesn’t sound too fair. Jonathan Falwell did a good job though of warning about bad behavior and the recent burning of effigies of Palin and Obama.

Another group has asked pastors to speak overtly for their choice for president and break IRS laws. If a church wants to remain tax exempt they can’t do this.

And people on both sides of the aisle are guilty of using the church to get votes. It isn’t just Republicans but also Democrats. Churches have had Democratic candidates speak and ‘wink wink’ no overt declaration is made (although sometimes it is) but we all know what they are saying.

When I stand up in preach I know that the gospel is why people are there. People need to hear Christ! Jesus said to give Caesar what is his and God what is his. I’m here to preach the power of Christ and to see lives transformed and the world will be forever changed. This is more powerful than pushing politics. We have a eternal message and not one backed by anyone but God.

So this is not an endorsement for Obama, McCain, or anyone else. But I am asking for us to be civil and if we are Christian to be Christian.

One last thought. No matter who is elected we should pray for them. Pray for all leaders local and national and pray for wisdom and insight. And pray for the way we live in our communities then go and be positive forces in our communities. Live the gospel and share the gospel. That’s the Great Commission.

Peace,

Derik