7 Burning Questions – Politics

The current issue of Relevant has a feature article with the 7 burning issues of our generation, and they have some of the leading voices in the Church today respond to them. I thought I’d highlight them in seven separate posts. Here is burning question number four…

Politics: Is either party right?

We need Christians in the Republican party calling their party to have a higher priority for nonviolent peace-making and being a good global neighbor rather than a dominant global bully. We need Christians in the Democratic party who call their party to a greater concern for sexual integrity and respect for life in all its forms. — Brian McLaren

Christians should embrace a consistent ethic of life, rejecting the selective moralities of Left and Right where only some human lives are considered valuable. I criticize Democrats who don’t see abortion as a life issue, but I also take issue with Republicans who see it as the only life issue. The Church should address every assault upon human life, protecting the unborn, victims of pandemic diseases, genocide, human trafficking, the death penalty and even America’s unjust wars. — Jim Wallis

I have issues with both parties, but one thing I do not have any issues about is that the Bible is God’s word. He says life begins at conception (Psalm 139). I will always support the pro-life candidate because we already have almost 50 million unborn children who have died since 1973. — Cindy Jacobs

If I may comment as an outsider on your present election, I think one of the healthy things about it is that the Christian Right is not able to say, “Here is one candidate whom we must support because he is clearly God’s choice.” — N.T. Wright

A Christian is not supposed to vote on one issue. It’s tempting, but it’s important to have the whole picture in mind, to think who is best suited to run the country and take it in a direction that we would support. — Nancy Ortberg

Check out the May/June 2008 issue (#33) for their complete answers.

Other Burning Questions:
1. InJustice
2. Homosexuality
3. Faith

Filed under: Abortion, Brian McLaren, Church, Cindy Jacobs, Faith, Jim Wallis, Life, N.T. Wright, Nancy Ortberg, Politics, Relevant Magazine, Religion

The Obama Endorsement

Despite extreme hesitation, I feel it is necessary for me to officially announce my endorsement of Barack Obama for President of the United States.

I’ve stated many, MANY, times that I don’t like politics. I still don’t. I also hate debating, although I absolutely love to sit back and listen to other people debate. So as you might expect I don’t intend to debate the politics of Obama, Clinton, McCain, Paul, Nadar, Republicans, Democrats, Independents or otherwise—or my reasons for choosing Obama over the rest. (For a great post on where Obama stands on the issues, click here).

My purpose in endorsing Obama publicly is simply to give comfort to other Christ-followers who wish to vote for a pro-choice candidate. For so many, this is the singular issue in determining a candidate. I felt that way myself for so long, but today I am no longer handcuffed by this issue. Here are a few reasons why.

Pro-choice ≠ Pro-abortion. It’s ignorant for anyone to think that a pro-choice individual is pro-abortion. Although I hold the stance that all abortions should be banned, the issue is extremely complicated. I can’t think of anybody that is actually a proponent of abortion. And that includes Barack Obama.

It’s Political. This issue is just another way to garner votes on either side. Don’t get sucked into the trap. Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr., John McCain, Mitt Romney. They all changed their opinions on this issue. Do you think it had anything to do with them running for office?

Other Issues. Are there no other issues in the world today? Do no other issues effect lives? I believe that there are quite a few “life altering” issues that sit on the presidents plate. To narrow it to one is shortsighted. Life may begin at conception, but it doesn’t end at birth.

No Options. If you vote strictly pro-life, all you need to do is show up on a cold day in November, close your eyes, and vote Republican. There is no need for you to follow politics, debates, news, read books. Your decision has already been made.

Nothing Has Changed. When was Roe vs. Wade again? Have we ever had a majority Republican Senate and House with a sitting Republican president? Why hasn’t the law changed? Do you really think their stance even makes a difference?

George W. Bush. For starters he said up front that he didn’t think America was ready for a law banning abortion so he wasn’t going to pursue it. He also believes that abortions should be allowed in the case of incest, rape, and harm to the mother. That isn’t a very consistent stance if you are valuing ALL life. Like I said, it’s a complicated issue.

Adoption. I personally feel like a hypocrite for criticizing pro-choice individuals, all the while not offering an alternative to those mothers who need assistance. If Christ-followers would talk less and adopt more, this wouldn’t be the issue it currently is.

This list is far from exhaustive. It only scratches the surface that a more talented writer and researcher would be able to scribe. To make myself crystal clear, I’m not going to be debating politics or my stance on this particular issue. I’ve stated my opinion, and it’s yours to do with what you will. You can debate it amongst yourselves, and I will absolutely be reading every word, but this is all you’ll be getting from me.

Can a Christ-follower vote fore Obama? Yes we can!

Further Reading:
• delicious.com/russellhawkins/abortion
• mudpuppy.wordpress.com/tag/barack-obama

Filed under: Abortion, America, Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Liberals, Morality, Politics, Republicans, Unity, Voting