Don't Check Your Faith at the Booth

It is a fact that we evangelicals have tended to support the Republican party in large measure. One of the main reasons for this has been the important issue of abortion. However, I know of dear Christian people who love God and have Christ as their savior who are democrats. We must be careful that we don't confuse our faith with our politics and even more important that we don't abandon our faith and oneness over politics. I think it is safe to say that neither party represents God. There are numerous "Christian/Biblical" issues that one party or the other get wrong. Caring for the poor, a Biblical imperative, loving your brother, valuing life. I am not trying to make a political argument, but rather a Biblical perspective. What is my point? I am increasingly uncomfortable by the tenor of the rallies of McCain/Palin. Lately, some have seemed to revolve, not around policy, but around innuendo, hatred, and bigotry. As a Christian, I CANNOT approve of this. If you want to vote against the democratic ticket because of its stands, that is one thing. To do so out of hatred or bigotry...I just have a hard time squaring that with our Biblical call. Here is a great quote from Maine legend, Margaret Chase Smith. She was referring to the work of Joseph McCarthy who accused people of being communists. I think this is a great quote and I have emailed it to the McCain campaign.

"The nation sorely needs a Republican victory. But I don't want to see the Republican Party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny -- Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry and Smear. I doubt if the Republican Party could -- simply because I don't believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest".

Again, I am not making ANY political endorsement here. I am NOT discussing my own choice in this election. As a pastor, I am staying out of that. I DO feel that whatever our political persuasions and reasons, that they, and the way we pursue our political beliefs, should be rooted strongly and centrally in our faith and identity in Christ. **NEW** This article represents some progress.