22nd
The Election
I’ve had so many of my friends ask why I support Obama. “Aren’t you a Christian?” “I don’t see how a Christian could vote for him..” So, here is my answer to those questions in an excerpt from an email on the matter:
“It’s not that I don’t think abortion or homosexual marriage are important issues, I believe very strongly that abortion is wrong and that marriage ordained by God is a union between a man and a woman. Those are not the reasons I support Obama and they are not the reasons I don’t support McCain. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have either of these issues and the United States would be a God fearing nation…but that’s not the case.
I don’t support McCain because I don’t believe he would be a good leader. His behavior is erratic and over the course of his stay in washington has flip-flopped on many issues. On abortion McCain has had a public voting record of pro-life for the most part. He is, however, pro-abortion in certain circumstances. In one interview he said Roe v. Wade should be overturned and in another said that he would not repeal it. I simply don’t trust that he would actually do anything to further the Pro-life cause.
Here’s some direct quotes from McCain during past interviews/discussions on the matter:
http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/John_McCain_Abortion.htm
As far as homosexual marriage is concerned, during the vice-presidential debates both candidates stated that they believed the EXACT same things on gay marriage. That marriage should be between a man and a woman but they would both protect the civil rights of homosexual couples. There’s no doubt that the bible teaches that homosexuality is wrong but in this case, again, I don’t think McCain as president would make a change as well. Here’s the full transcript, if you do a search you will find the discussion on gay marriage:
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/debates/transcripts/vice-presidential-debate.html
Since these two issues are a wash (ie. I don’t think things would change based on a McCain presidency), I’m forced to move on to other issues: the war, health care, and the future. I also have to decide on who has better judgment and who I think would make a better leader of the nation and who can get positive things done. With all that in mind, I think the best man for the job (aka. The lesser of two evils) is Obama. I feel a little uneasy about it because I’ve always just voted Republican because if you’re a Christian that’s just “what you do”. But I just can’t support McCain’s policies and I think he is unfit for leadership.
So hopefully that sheds some light on why I look at things the way I do. I know that whatever happens, as Christians, we need to keep standing up for what is right and make a difference in our families and our neighborhoods.”
As citizens we try (well, I hope we try) to make the best decision. This election I have challenged myself to really consider what is being said by both sides. I admit that in the past I have voted Republican “just because”. I have been part of the ignorant majority that votes party lines and not issues. As a Christian I believe it is our responsiblity to be an influence by how we love others and stand up for what’s right. I also believe that Washington is not the answer. Only God, working through his people will be the true change-agents that this world needs.
