“When we [Christians] withhold our influence … we yield by default to those who promote immoral and destructive policies.” — Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, on the issue of Christians voting
by James L. Lambert
Several pro-family advocates in Southern California are voicing their dismay over what appears to be a trend among believers toward indifference when election time rolls around.
Los Angeles radio talk-show host Paul McGuire blasted “apathetic Christians” Wednesday on his daily broadcast. McGuire, heard on KBRT in the LA area, is upset with the millions of Christians who he maintains continually refuse to vote or be part of the election process in America. He says with so much at stake on November 5, he cannot understand why so many Christians continue to remove themselves from the political and social issues of the day.
McGuire says he is particularly appalled by recent data supplied by the Barna Research Group, which claims that more than 34 million Christians did not vote in the November 2000 election cycle. McGuire sees many in the clergy and church leadership unwilling to communicate to their congregations about the importance of voting — and voting prayerfully. “Even with the best of churches, you might have 40% of the congregation that votes,” he says.
The popular talk-show host believes it is important for pastors to inform their congregations on how important it is to vote, particularly because many moral issues affecting communities are determined by those elected to office.
McGuire thinks Christians are “spiritually deceived” when they think that it is better to “remain silent” by not voting. He further contends that pastors that “falsely believe you can be 'spiritual' and not connect with society” mislead their congregation and create a disservice to society's general welfare.
McGuire, author of Countdown to Armageddon, believes church leadership often “encourages passivity” when it comes to social and political discourse. He notes such an attitude is particularly evident when churches are asked by pro-family groups to distribute “information guides” that outline political positions by candidates on various issues — including those involving moral consequence. On many occasions, according to McGuire, church leaders block distribution of such non-partisan voter literature.
Leigh Hughes is communications director for the San Diego and Imperial Counties chapter of Concerned Women for America. Hughes says she believes Christians have an opportunity and a duty to vote — and then she points out that only about 50% of those who call themselves Christians actually register to vote.
“In the last decade, only half of those [who are registered] — or 25% [of the total] — have voted,” she says.
Hughes then makes an interesting observation: “There are those who are telling Christians there is no place for them in the public square, that they should focus only on evangelism, and that will produce changed hearts,” she says. “Of course, that begs the question: What are the hearts changed to accomplish?”
Hughes sees the next few years as “an opportunity to turn the tide” in the moral landscape in America. She believes it is important to not only vote “but pray for wisdom as we do.”
“We need to be involved by studying the issues and [not being timid] in writing letters to our leaders on issues we strongly believe in,” she adds.
And Sylvia Sullivan, a long-time pro-life advocate in Southern California, thinks pastors “should be teaching their people more about biblical principals of good stewardship” because that also relates to an American citizen's privilege to vote.
Pro-family advocates like Dr. James Dobson, McGuire, Hughes, and Sullivan all agree that Christians and their leaders need to fulfill their responsibility to vote. They are hopeful that recent trends will reverse themselves — but claim they will need help from the hundreds of thousands of pastors and priests in communities across America.
(This article courtesy of Agape Press.)
