Adamo Manfra | October 30, 2024 | SHARE: 
“So… whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (RSV)
As Christians, our faith is not confined to church walls but extends into every facet of our lives—including the political arena. Voting isn’t just a civic privilege; it’s an opportunity to lessen evil and promote good in our society. By prioritizing the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, advocating for human flourishing through just economic and social policies, safeguarding religious freedom, and upholding the integrity of marriage and family, we align our choices with our beliefs. Embracing fundamental principles ensures that governance respects both individual dignity and community well-being. As we face the complexities of the political landscape, let us pray, educate ourselves, and vote thoughtfully. While we do these things, we must seek leaders who embody truth and wisdom, so that we may contribute to a society that reflects God’s justice and love.
In a recent sermon, Pastor Loran Livingston boldly declared, “Don’t tell me about my spiritual responsibility to vote. I don’t have a spiritual responsibility to vote. I have a civic privilege. Don’t tell me that voting is spiritual.” While some might agree with this sentiment, it’s important to recognize that our faith should not be completely separated from our political actions. If we choose to vote based on our beliefs, how do we decide whom or what to support? Let’s explore some guiding principles and key issues that Christians should consider when casting their votes.
John Stonestreet of the Colson Center suggests that instead of choosing the “lesser of two evils,” we should focus on “voting to lessen evil.” This perspective acknowledges that politics is often about making the best possible choice in imperfect situations. Even if the options aren’t ideal, we can still make decisions that reduce harm and promote good in society. By adopting this approach, we engage with the political system thoughtfully, aiming to bring about positive change without compromising our values.
A common concern, especially within the pro-life movement, is whether Christians should be “single-issue” voters. However, this is a false dilemma for several reasons. First, prioritizing life issues—particularly abortion—isn’t about ignoring other concerns, but recognizing their relative importance. Just as society views murder as more severe than theft, we can view abortion as an especially critical issue that demands special attention.
Second, abortion presents a clear moral choice, unlike more complex issues such as international trade or immigration policies. Third, the right to life is foundational; without it, all other rights lose their significance. By emphasizing life issues, we aren’t neglecting other matters but acknowledging that some issues carry more weight in our moral and political considerations.
Abraham Lincoln described our government as “of the people, by the people, for the people.” This means the government is composed of citizens, elected by citizens, and exists to serve its citizens. Understanding this helps us see that policies should primarily benefit the nation’s people. Loving our neighbors includes working toward the betterment of our community and country.
This doesn’t mean we ignore the needs of others around the world, but our government’s first responsibility is to its own citizens. Policies should prioritize national interests and the well-being of our people while still engaging responsibly with the global community.
With these principles in mind, let’s delve into specific issues that should inform our voting decisions.
Protecting life is a paramount concern. This includes opposing abortion, rejecting euthanasia, and working to reduce murders and suicides. Abortion remains a critical issue because it involves innocent lives that cannot defend themselves. Being truly pro-life means caring about people at all stages of life, from conception to natural death, and taking action on various life-related issues.
After safeguarding life, we should strive to create a society where people can thrive. Jesus spoke of giving us abundant life (John 10:10). Human flourishing isn’t just about material wealth, but does include the ability for individuals and families to live well. This involves:
Economic Stability: Policies that allow people to earn a living, support their families, and have financial security contribute to human flourishing. Issues like a stable economy, reasonable taxation, and manageable inflation rates are important.
Peace and Security: Laws that promote safety and order benefit everyone. Reducing crime helps both potential victims and would-be offenders. A society where people feel safe is one where they can focus on positive pursuits.
Global Peace: A stable international environment protects our nation and promotes prosperity worldwide. Wise foreign policies can prevent conflicts that lead to unnecessary loss of life and resources.
Religious freedom is essential for a just society. It allows individuals to seek and embrace truth without coercion. This freedom includes the right to express one’s faith openly and to live according to one’s beliefs. Upholding religious freedom ensures that people can practice their faith authentically, which enriches the entire community.
The family is the cornerstone of society, beginning with marriage between one man and one woman. When these foundational structures weaken, society experiences negative consequences. Issues like high divorce rates, single-parent households, and attempts to redefine marriage have far-reaching impacts. Supporting Biblical marriage and family structures helps create a stable environment where children can thrive and communities can flourish.
Two important principles in governance are subsidiarity and solidarity. Subsidiarity means that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, least centralized competent authority. Solidarity involves unity and mutual support within a community. Applying these principles means:
Local Governance: Allowing local communities to make decisions fosters unity and better reflects the values and needs of the people in those communities. It encourages participation and accountability.
Parental Rights: Parents have the primary role in raising and educating their children. Policies should respect this role unless there’s clear evidence of harm or neglect. Supporting families in this way strengthens society as a whole.
When higher levels of government overstep their bounds, it can lead to division and a sense of disempowerment among citizens. Respecting subsidiarity and solidarity promotes harmony and effective governance.
While policies are crucial, the character of our leaders also matters. We should consider:
Truthfulness: Leaders who value truth are more likely to make honest decisions and enact policies that reflect reality. A commitment to truth builds trust between the government and the people.
Wisdom: Candidates whose ideas align with sound moral principles and who have a track record of positive outcomes are preferable. Wisdom involves not just knowledge but the prudent application of it.
While no candidate is perfect, seeking leaders who embody these qualities can lead to better governance and a healthier society.
Ultimately, to vote well, we must do two things: pray and educate ourselves. As in the second article in the series, we seek God first and seek His guidance. He will help us to discern what issues He wants to put on our hearts. Then, we must educate ourselves on the candidates and the issues. Learn about the candidates, their policies, and the potential impacts of those policies. Don’t rely solely on party affiliation or rhetoric.
It is not enough to vote for “our side.” We should make every effort to know for whom we are voting and why. Having done this, we can vote to lessen evil, promote the good, and love our neighbors by seeking the good of many.
Our faith should not be confined to personal or private spheres; it should extend into every aspect of our lives, including how we engage politically. By considering these principles and issues when voting, we align our actions with our beliefs. We recognize the interconnectedness of moral values and public policies. As we participate in the democratic process, let us do so with integrity, wisdom, and a genuine desire to love our neighbors and contribute positively to our society.
