As I share these articles which are a few years old, I pray
they illustrate for you the importance of making your voice count.
Today’s article is one that I hope you will pay close
attention to and be prepared to share with others along the way.
A BreakPoint Commentary
Is It a Sin Not To Vote? : Christians In the Public
Square
Is it a sin not to vote?
That's a question that's been
very much in the news in the wake of the supposed exposé by David Kuo, author
of TEMPTING FATE. Kuo, a former aide to
President Bush, says he became disillusioned when he heard administration
staffers call evangelicals "nuts" and "goofy." He was also bothered that staffers used
political judgments in deciding where to hold briefings. Really?
What administration since George Washington has not considered politics
when scheduling meetings? As for the
"nuts" charge - assuming it's true - well, I've probably used the
same term myself to describe some overly zealous brethren.
Kuo's book is of particular
interest to me because he credits my book KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT with both launching
his political career and warning him about evangelicals in politics. I'm flattered that my writings influenced
David, but he really needs to read my book more closely. And as a Christian who has worked with
President Bush on issues ranging from AIDS to sexual trafficking to slavery in
Sudan to prison rape, all of which the president delivered on, my experience
could not be more different from what David describes.
Does this mean I'm in the
president's pocket? I've met with the
president on numerous occasions and unapologetically consider him my friend,
but he has never once asked me to support him.
Nor has he asked me to endorse him politically, something I wouldn't
do. In fact, I've criticized his
decisions when I've disagreed with them.
If this is what it means to be manipulated, give me more of it!
David Kuo is right, however,
about one thing: Christians involved in politics must maintain their
independence; without that, we play into the hands of those - Republicans and
Democrats - who would use us. Both
parties are doing and saying things to attract so-called values voters. And I say good: I'd like to see Republicans
and Democrats work to protect innocent human life at every stage, stop AIDS,
end the destruction of the family, and take care of prisoners and the poor.
But Kuo is dead wrong to
suggest that that Christians ought to enter into a time of "fasting"
from politics. These words, which I
wrote in 1987, that so influenced David are true today: "Christians need
to influence politics for justice and righteousness." But we must do so "with eyes open, aware
of the snares ... Today Christians may find themselves suspect - I have
experienced this myself - to the very people on whose side they are
fighting. But that is the price they
must pay to preserve their independence and not be beholden to any political
ideological alignment." That's what
I wrote in 1987; that's what I mean today.
Fasting from politics is the
exact opposite of what I taught David Kuo, however. Only by continuing to fight for our beliefs,
regardless of the temptations, compromises, or being called "nuts,"
can we achieve the kind of moral reform and protection of human rights that
Christians throughout the centuries and in every culture work for.
This is why Christians must
never "fast" from politics.
And it's why Christians, of all citizens, ought to be lining up to
vote. Do your civic duty because you'll
do your duty to God in the process.
And to abandon the battle on behalf of the sick and the
suffering, the prisoner and the unborn: That would be a true sin.
Copyright (c) 2006 Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with permission. "BreakPoint with Chuck Colson" is a
radio ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries. Charles Colson; 11/1/06 .
No comments:
Post a Comment