Are Christians To Necessarily Vote?

[Nick]

so what if you have these to vote for?

obama:
pro gay rights/abortion and also big goverment and poor history of getting things done
romney:
as governor of mass /romney care which funds abortion. forced the rcc out of the state with not allowing them not to allow gays to adopt, gay marriage legalised in his state..also a big goverment type. and has flipp flopped on abortion.

im not voiting when romney gets the nod from the gop and theres no difference here tween the two as far christian values.

I believe it is good to vote. I never said I would force you to vote.

My position: if you choose to abstain from voting, you cannot complain about the government until 2016, assuming you vote then. You withdraw your vote, then you withdraw your right to complain in the results generated by others' votes.

 

[jasoncran]

the problem with the state and national level is the the corruption is often not noticed., with the local level its really noticed and not so hidden.

i should post what happened tween an police officer that my wife went to school with and a county adminstator with. if i did what he did i would have been tased and or arrested yet he wasnt.

 

[Bob Carabbio]

If they feel like it - fine

Unimportant one way or another. If one has an INTEREST in the form of civil government that he lives under, and is GRANTED by that government the right to have a say in it, then it's completely up to him whether he wants to bother with it or not.

Since the Bible indicates that it's GOD that elevates folks into leadership positions, there's no reason God can't work in an "Electoral" system (since He controls the fall of the dice according to the Bible) and accomplish His will regardless.

 

[JoReba]

God placed me here. I will be the best citizen i can be,

Does Godly citizenship require voting?

 

[JoReba]

Re: If they feel like it - fine

Unimportant one way or another. If one has an INTEREST in the form of civil government that he lives under, and is GRANTED by that government the right to have a say in it, then it's completely up to him whether he wants to bother with it or not.

Since the Bible indicates that it's GOD that elevates folks into leadership positions, there's no reason God can't work in an "Electoral" system (since He controls the fall of the dice according to the Bible) and accomplish His will regardless.

If God, as you said above, "Accomplishes His will regardless," why should Christians vote?

 

[JoReba]

The subject of politics is an interesting one for a Christian. The subject is essentially the art of getting what you want. I was involved in politics many years ago. I thought that it was the obligation of a citizen. Like sewer work, I thought it was unpleasant but necessary. I came away from the experience convinced that politics is irredeemable, utterly corrosive, and corrupting.

During times of empire and legions, the prospect of politics is only of interest to the suck-ups and wannabes like the Herodians. Christians are told to endure their government and pray for the officials.

Democracy is not a good thing. This might be gleaned from the fact that it never truly exists. When France tried it, it was a disaster. The reason it appeared to work in America is that more people were Christian. Christians are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit and demonstrate more self-control. As a result, Satan has used Christianity to give a good reputation to democracy.

Wherever democracy is attempted, chaos rules. The people in the Middle East do not need democracy, they need Jesus.

Democracy has been heralded in the U.S. such that many Christians defend it more strongly than Christ. Satan loves to hold out the carrot that if Christians work a little harder or try a little more, they will be able to get what they want. He takes people captive with this by getting Christians into the world and the flesh and away from their Savior.

We are told not to be unequally yolked. I think this means we can vote. However, I would be hesitant to vote for someone as the "lesser of two evils".

Almost all of what you posted is very good. Thanks.

 

[JoReba]

We are called to be good stewards of what we get. we are also called to follow leadership. in the USA we have been given a system of government that allows freedom, we do this with and through voting. SO yes we are called to vote as well. we are warned if we are not good stewards God will take away what we do not care about.

The Bible does not "call" us to vote.

 

[JoReba]

^{Hi, JoReba .... & welcome to CFnet!}

^{Since voting would fall into the category of government, the Bible tells us the following:}

^{Matthew 22: 15-22 (NKJV)}
<sup class="versenum"></sup>
<sup class="versenum">15 </sup>Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. <sup class="versenum">16 </sup>And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. <sup class="versenum">17 </sup>Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?â€

<sup class="versenum">18 </sup>But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? <sup class="versenum">19 </sup>Show Me the tax money.†So they brought Him a denarius.

<sup class="versenum">20 </sup>And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?â€

<sup class="versenum">21 </sup>They said to Him, “Caesar’s.â€

And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.â€

<sup class="versenum">22 </sup>When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.


I realize these verses pertain to taxes, but it can include voting in today's world.

Since it is every eligible citizen's responsibility to vote in each election, it is also every eligible voting citizen's responsibility to learn as much as one can about the candidates.

There are some elections that are tougher to make a selection from the slate ... sometimes, it is more of the 'lesser of the two duds'. Not exactly what we would prefer, but that's the reality sometimes.

Does this help?

Matthew 22:15-22 does not pertain to voting or to governance. "Caesar," i.e The U. S. Federal Government, does not own voting. Voting is owned as a right by citizens who place their faith, trust, allegiance, and identity in The Federal Government. Are Christians to be like that, or not? Do you have a clear answer?

Thank You Lord Jesus for showing us how to live within a Godless and corrupt world without needing to be obligated to vote as do Godless people who must "choose lesser of evils." Thank you Precious Lord for not wanting us to choose any evil at all.

 

[JoReba]

Followers of Christ ought to vote.

Can you cite Scripture which says or demonstrates Christians are to vote?

 

[Jman96]

Can you cite Scripture which says or demonstrates Christians are to vote?

Can you site scripture which says or demonstrates Christians are not to vote?

 

[handy]

Can you cite Scripture which says or demonstrates Christians are to vote?

Can anyone cite Scripture which says or demonstrates that Christians are to drive cars? Fly in airplanes? Shop in grocery stores? Wear tennis shoes? Talk on telephones? Speak via computers?

This is why I've always felt that the argument of "unless the Scriptures specifically state we should do something, then we cannot do it" is very weak...at some point or another it breaks down.

As Jman points out...there are no Scriptures that say we are not to vote. Therefore, this falls under the area of conscience. Those who feel there is no reason for a Christian to vote may pass on voting. Those who feel there is a civic duty to vote should vote their conscience.

At any rate, it hardly seems that we Christians need yet another thing to divide over. Let each be fully convinced in their own mind what they should do on the subject, and not judge another for doing likewise.

 

[JoReba]

Can anyone cite Scripture which says or demonstrates that Christians are to drive cars? Fly in airplanes? Shop in grocery stores? Wear tennis shoes? Talk on telephones? Speak via computers?

This is why I've always felt that the argument of "unless the Scriptures specifically state we should do something, then we cannot do it" is very weak...at some point or another it breaks down.

As Jman points out...there are no Scriptures that say we are not to vote. Therefore, this falls under the area of conscience. Those who feel there is no reason for a Christian to vote may pass on voting. Those who feel there is a civic duty to vote should vote their conscience.

At any rate, it hardly seems that we Christians need yet another thing to divide over. Let each be fully convinced in their own mind what they should do on the subject, and not judge another for doing likewise.

As commonly occurs with people who cannot handle new concepts, the "Argument to Dismiss Scriptural Silence" is undertaken by such people to, I suppose, conceal their discomfort with change. Or their discomfort with ... something. Lol.

Let me help you here, unless you are "uncomfortable" with me doing so.

If Babbling Church People presumed to say that it is God's Sovereign will and requirement for all Christians drive cars, fly airplanes, shop at grocery stores, wear tennis shoes, talk on telephones, and speak on computers then it would be appropriate and Godly to bluntly tell them they are wrong because God has never commanded Christians to do any of those things. As well, God has never commanded anyone to vote.

Do you comprehend what I just said to you ... ?

The fact remains Jesus and The Apostles never became involved in civil government, politics, or macroeconomics. True Believers are commanded to walk as Jesus walked. Apostle Paul stated that a True Soldier in God's Army does not entangle himself with civilian matters.

Do you wish to follow Scripture, or follow your own ideas?

 

[Hitch]

If a slave is taught to perform his duties as 'unto the Lord' its only obvious that this applies much more to free men in a free country performing good citizenship.

 

[JoReba]

If a slave is taught to perform his duties as 'unto the Lord' its only obvious that this applies much more to free men in a free country performing good citizenship.

Who decides for Believers what "good" is for them? Caesar?

Do you want all Believers to let The Federal Government define "good citizenship" for them when those Believers are actually citizens of God's Kingdom? Should Believers entangle themselves in civilian affairs contrary to what God declared through The Apostle Paul? Can you make a decision, here?

Lol.

 

[reba]

I am very thankful God placed me in the USA. I should be the best citizen i can be. I feel it is a God given responsibility to vote. Other folks dont need to agree with me.
Not voting is to me like being a thief using the blessing obtained by others. To each his own.

Paul used his citizenship as a Roman.. Did Paul error should he have claimed his citizenship in Heaven. The OT is full of politics.

 

[Hitch]

Who decides for Believers what "good" is for them? Caesar?

clearly to follow Christ you should continue to whine whimper and complain while refusing even the slight fom of responsibility

Do you want all Believers to let The Federal Government define "good citizenship" for them when those Believers are actually citizens of God's Kingdom? Should Believers entangle themselves in civilian affairs contrary to what God declared through The Apostle Paul? Can you make a decision, here?

Lol.

I can make a decision here; You're off your nut.

 

[zeke]

I can make a decision here; You're off your nut.

That's rather rude of you - yes?

 

[Pard]

There is within Scripture no command, no suggestion, and no example of any system of citizenry voting as it would relate to civil governance. In fact, Jesus and The Apostles are largely mute on matters of both local and national politics. The only prescribed forms of national governance are human monarchy, acheived either by military power or by Prophetic appointment, and Theocracy by means of The Torah. There is no democratic republic form shown in Scripture.

That is generally a suggestion to the grand notion of "whateva" (as us New Englanders would say). If it isn't talked about in any way, shape, or form in either a positive or a negative light than it's probably a good bet that your choice isn't going to make the big man up stairs angry or happy.

 

[farouk]

Matthew 22:15-22 does not pertain to voting or to governance. "Caesar," i.e The U. S. Federal Government, does not own voting. Voting is owned as a right by citizens who place their faith, trust, allegiance, and identity in The Federal Government. Are Christians to be like that, or not? Do you have a clear answer?

Thank You Lord Jesus for showing us how to live within a Godless and corrupt world without needing to be obligated to vote as do Godless people who must "choose lesser of evils." Thank you Precious Lord for not wanting us to choose any evil at all.

JR:

I guess, stated differently, it means, I don't trust any of them. (If so, I can understand that sentiment! )

 

[Hitch]

That's rather rude of you - yes?

:toofunny