I hate politics. I hate elections.
Probably because I always feel forced into one of two molds, neither of which I fit: Democrat or Republican.
Particularly in my conservative, Bible Belt area, there are many Christians who believe that the only way a Christian can vote is Republican. But I know many committed, devout Christians — people who truly walk the walk — who would sooner take a beating than vote Republican.
Since I am far from politically savvy or astute, the only thing I know how to do, is to try, to the best of my ability, to figure out HWJV — how would Jesus vote — based on the things He taught and the way He lived.
So … while I don’t think Jesus would be in favor of welfare as it exists, I know He would not stand by and watch poor people starve to death. Yes I know there are zillions of abuses of this system. I don’t think it’s my job to judge who will abuse the system, so I’ll leave that to Him. I don’t think He said, “whatever you do unto the least of these — as long as they have jobs and go to church …”
I don’t think Jesus would approve of abortion; but I also don’t think He would approve of the death penalty. And I don’t think He would judge anyone who had an abortion any more harshly than He would judge me for the crappy things I do and say each day or the jury who sentences a man or woman to death.
I don’t think Jesus would have one whit of concern about how much of “my” tax money I get to keep. He knows that it’s not “my” money, even if I forget that sometimes. But at the same time, He would expect me to be wise in how I use His money.
Maybe government should be doing these things, maybe not. — Democrats and Republicans can debate that until Jesus comes back. I certainly have no answer.
What I do know is that there is no debate for Christians — we are not simply invited to feed the hungry, help the sick, minister to lost and hurting people and serve others. We are commanded to do so, even if it costs money, gets us dirty or makes us uncomfortable.
I found your blog via Twitter, actually TwitterWhere, on a search for Memphis, TN. I’ve wrestled with the question HWJV many times. I don’t think Jesus would approve of the initiation of force against another person. Neither party seem to support that position. Republicans, for the most part are warhawks. While Democrats often support the initiation of force domestically, i.e. Give me 1/3 of your paycheck or else. I think there is a better way.
I’m not a pacifist. I don’t think Jesus was as evidenced by his display of anger on the money changers in the temple. Today we have a similar corrupt system. The modern money changers are the the Federal Reserve and the IRS that rob America of its wealth and its these organizations that Ron Paul’s supporters rally against.
I think that people have turned to the Government because Christians aren’t doing the job that God commanded of them, to feed and clothe the poor, sick, and elderly. On the other hand government actively denies the church the role of caretaker of the indigent. Remember when bingo was ended under the auspices of eliminating the lottery in TN? I believe that the Catholic schools were the stiffest competition the public schools faced, so their funding was ripped from under them. Now how is higher education funded in TN, with a lottery! A government that behaves this way is evil.
The “force” issue has been part of the Libertarian Party pledge for a long time, but they have been ineffective at getting their message across. I’ve been supporting Ron Paul for President because of his restraint of force and his support for nonviolent change. While Ron Paul’s chances of getting elected this term are now nil, there is a group of Republicans (of all people) that support a lot of his positions. The Republican Liberty Caucus, http://www.rlc.org. My wife and I are now considering a run for state office in TN, under the mantle of the RLC.