On January 18, 1961, in Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania), the Afro-Shirazi Party won the general elections by a single vote/seat. The seat of Chake-Chake on Pemba Island had been gained by a single vote. According to the Guinness World Book of Records, this is the closest general elections ever occurred in the world.
Here in the United States, on August 7, 1979 in Mississippi, Robert E. Joiner was declared the winner over W.H. Pyron with 133,587 votes to 133,582. That's the narrowest recorded percentage win in an election. The loser got more than 49.999% of the votes for the office of Southern District Highway Commissioner.
The above are mere samples of the value of every single vote. The 2000 Presidential elections is another example of the value of every vote. Then, President George W. Bush won the election by a margin of just half of a percentage point of the 110 million votes cast.
With this kind of information, one can understand why I was outraged when I heard the report of a group of black pastors who were encouraging their congregations not to vote. Thankfully, the report from the New York Times was proven to be inaccurate. The truth is that some pastors will be voting on the other matters on their respective ballots. However, they will not be voting for the Office of President.
Some pastors believe to vote for President Obama in the upcoming elections will advance the same-sex marriage agenda and also affirm the Democratic Party Platform which endorses that lifestyle. To vote for Governor Mitt Romney would be to release him from the racist teachings in the Mormon Bible that “black-skinned” people are “cursed…loathsome..unattractive...despised and filthy.”
It is in light of the above positions; some pastors believe that any vote would be to endorse an evil. In other words, our only choice would be to choose the lesser of the evils. And, to endorse any form of evil would be to undermine the cause of righteousness, to which we are first committed.
If we were to apply this line of reasoning to all the decisions we make in life, we would be suggesting that every decision we make promotes the cause of righteousness. However, because there is no clear biblical prescription on how to vote, issues of this nature are treated as issues of ethical thought.
Ethical views are usually divided into two broad types – ethics of ought (deontological) and ethics of consequence (teleological). Deontological ethics are derived from a previously-determined view of reality or of the nature of God – sometimes referred to as natural law.
The crucial thing with teleological ethics is not whether the act comes out of divine command or natural law, but whether it produces good results. There are times when Christians are confronted with issues for which there is not biblical clarity. At such times, as guided by the Holy Spirit and by consensus within the wider Christian community, it becomes necessary to apply teleological ethics.
Some argue that because God is sovereign, He already knows the outcome of the elections and therefore a single vote would not make a difference. Agreed, God is sovereign, but throughout the Scriptures He is seen inviting people to be in partnership with Him to accomplish His purposes. In other words, God’s sovereignty does not absolve me of my responsibility.
Many traditionalists contend that because we are pilgrims in this world, we must not become engrossed in “the things of this world”. Jeremiah the prophet responds to this attitude of non-involvement.
Jeremiah was fully aware that the Jews were going to be in exile in Babylon for a specified period of time. However, rather than suggest a program of non-involvement in a foreign land, among hostile captors, he encouraged full participation and involvement. Here is an excerpt of his letter to those who were already in Babylon:
“…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7).
In a democracy, voting is one of the most cherished rights of citizens. That right enables citizens to elect representatives who are obligated to comply with laws and the wishes of their constituents. Opportunities to vote provide opportunities for constituents to contribute to the welfare of their country. In addition, voting opportunities enable constituents to appraise the work of their representatives.
This system has contributed significantly to America’s position of greatness in the world. Isn't it interesting, while many are anxious to migrate to America, others in America are not as anxious to migrate to other countries?
6 comments:
This is the worst election ever for the pitifull choices that exist. I feel that I will offend God no matter which candidate I vote for. God help us all as I will make a choice!
Bill Short
So true
I am a naturalized american citizen from a caribbean country. I was surprized to see the vast amount of homosexuals who sing in choirs and perform other duties in the evangelical churches here in the U.S. However, since I am not God and connot save anyone, I have left the judging up to God. Some of us who are so holy already know who will be going to heaven.
Jesus knew the laws of the old testament, however, when he was asked to join in stoning the adulteress, he refused, he was the Son of God and could rightly partake in punishing her; but He asked those without sin to cast the first stone...they couldn't. Think of the policies that will move this country FORWARD and vote...Leave the rest to God the Almighty..Let Him be the judge.
We need to spend our time saving souls. Jesus is coming soon. Do you know every Sunday there are unsave people in the churches waiting for an alter call.
God can't help that He knows the future. He is God. He also knows who will go to hell and who to heaven. These things do not absolve us from responsibility. I could also add that Mr. Romney belongs to a cult. The spirit of anti-christ is already in the world and the choices reflect this reality. Indeed we are seeing Bibe prophecy unfold in America. The more we abandon God as a nation, the more these types of choice will confront us, as God removes His protection from our nation. We reap what we sow. Let our conscience be our guide because whoever wins - we will see an increasing anti-christ spirit in America. We just have to intensify our message of Jesus Christ.
Can't we can vote and spend our energy/time preaching and reaching out with the Gospel?
Off the subject of the post:
If those unsaved people in the churches were actually waiting for an altar call - when they hear one they would respond.
It takes a supernatural work of the Spirit to awaken them and enable them to believe (1 Cor 2:14) and if that occurs they won't need an altar call per se - they will even ask, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2).
Goodness, when you realize you have fallen into a deep well and personally have no means of escaping you don't need someone to tell you, "Cry out for help!" do you? No, you just naturally cry out in fear, trembling and hope, "Help!!" And you do that at the top of your lungs.
Not saying altar calls are totally wrong but trusting in them as a means of salvation, or believing that they are the ticket to helping someone believe isn't supported by Scripture.
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