A Christian Voter’s Guide

I wrote this article for a local publication, and after some weird edit choices by them, it ran. For those who enjoyed it, here it is in its full, unedited, original brilliance…

Lately, my mailbox has been overflowing, not so much with bills, but with political flyers. You’re getting them too, right? The ones that tell us that President Trump is going to destroy the world, right next to the ones that tell us Vice President Harris is going to do the same. Then, there are the text messages, the emails, the phone calls and the ads. It makes some of us angry, some of us scared, and a whole lot of us just tired.

What is it about politics these days? It used to be that the two subjects you didn’t bring up in polite conversation were religion and politics. Those two subjects can damage relationships and even split apart families. In fact, many of us saw that very thing happen just four years ago, with people arguing over politics, racism, and COVID.

When it comes to politics for me, I’m guided by my faith (uh, oh, I’m talking about politics and religion!). Don’t worry, though: while I’m going to share a Christian perspective on politics, I think it’s a good principal for everyone, regardless of what they believe.

The Bible says that the primary responsibility of civil authorities is justice. Leaders are expected to be just – to treat people fairly and equitably, and to keep those they govern safe. Biblical authority is not about power or control, it’s about responsibility – and I think that’s a wise principle for the civil realm, regardless of whether or not you believe the Bible is God’s Word.

When people feel like our legal system is ‘rigged’ to favor the wealthy or that you can’t trust the government, what they’re really saying is that our leaders aren’t just. When people say that the military and the police are there to protect and serve, and that the government has the best interests of the people in mind, they mean that our leaders are just.

We all have opinions on that, and that’s okay. What’s important to remember, though, is that justice is the most important responsibility of the civil realm.  When we lionize or demonize our leaders because we like or don’t like them personally, we are forgetting our responsibility as citizens: to elect leaders who will carry out their duties justly and faithfully, regardless of whether we think they seem nice or handsome or likable – or because they’re not the other candidate, who seems mean or unintelligent or funny looking.

When we turn politicians into heroes and villains, we’re forgetting that they’re all just human beings. It’s okay to disagree with the decisions of politicians you like, and it’s equally okay to agree with the decisions of the ones you don’t. In fact, if you agree (or disagree) with every single word or action of a political leader, I’d argue that you’re letting your emotions get the better of you. I don’t even like everything I say and do, let alone someone else. 

Right now, our world is very dualistic. Everything has to be either wonderful or terrible. Don’t believe it! We are allowed to have a nuanced view of even the most controversial issues – because ultimately, most issues involve people, and people are far more complicated than a simple left or right, for or against.

Which means it’s okay to be uncomfortable with something or someone without hating them. It’s okay to disagree with someone and still care about them. More than anything, it’s okay to learn – because the one thing we can be sure of is that nobody has all the answers.

There is a time to speak up and speak out. There are also times it is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. If we stand tall, get informed, vote our conscience, and remember to be kind, I really believe it’s all going to be okay.

~Ever, RevErik

PS – Don’t forget to pray for our country and our leaders