Voting in the U.S.A. election
By Paul Bawden
Election day in the USA is Tuesday, November 3. Already voting has started through the mail.
So, who should one vote for? Here are some questions to think about before one votes. A recent Breakpoint provided some thoughts for the following consideration.
(1) How does the candidate value life?
Is one just an extension of the animal world with no lasting value, or is a person valuable from the time of conception to birth, and then until one’s life ends on planet earth? Sad to say that some running for office think that the baby can be aborted up to the time of birth. Abortion takes the life of a human being made in the image of the true and living eternal God. That’s why David in Psalm 139 said that he was fearfully and wonderfully made.
I put this question first, for a candidate can have all kinds of policy positions, but if that person believes in abortion, he has lost his perspective on what life is all about. In addition, since God created life with infinite value, that means all lives are valuable to God, and all lives matter. Some try to fudge and say they have faith, but that doesn’t affect their belief in abortion. Of course, that’s hypocrisy, and one’s faith has little substance.
(2) What is the candidate’s basis for making moral judgments?
We live in a society where everything regarding morality is relative. That means the individual determines how he can live his life. If that be true, then morality can change as the individual adapts his thinking to the situation at hand. Unless there is a true and unchanging standard for behavior, individuals can take things into their own hands and do what they think should happen in a society. The recent uprisings and destruction in US cities are a case in point. Ultimately, even though not accepted in the public square, all of us are responsible to the biblical God for one’s actions whether in government or not. He sets the standard for righteousness and truth in the Bible and in His Son, the Savior, of all who put their trust in Him for forgiveness and eternal life.
(3) How does the candidate view government?
Is the government to be the end all, or is the government limited in its scope? By that I mean is the government to care for people from the cradle to the grave, or is government to provide protection for its citizens (cf. Romans 13:1-7), care for people as needed, and then provide people the liberty to develop as individuals and pursue their dreams? When a candidate thinks that government should be the solution to all the nation’s challenges, the purpose of government has been sabotaged, which results in institutions not of the government such as the family, churches, religious organizations, businesses, and volunteer organizations, etc., being weakened. Too much government power leads to corruption which is already on display in the United States.
In the final analysis, the candidate’s philosophy of life will determine who he is, how he thinks, and how he will serve in office. If he thinks abortion is acceptable, having a low view of life, morality is relative, and that government is the answer to all of man’s challenges, you will continue to see a power grab in Washington. If a candidate believes that life has infinite value in the womb and in all stages of life, morality has standards, and that government should be limited in its power so the individual can flourish, it becomes clear who one should vote for. The decisions is yours!!
Paul Bawden is married and served in the pastoral ministry for 45 years, retiring in 2011. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Speech and attended Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Theology. He has taken counseling courses at Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois. Paul is a lifetime member of the Evangelical Free Church of America, as well as being a member of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), which serves churches during their time of transition in searching for a new pastor. He writes for Union Gospel Press, as well as being a volunteer writer for GotQuestions.org. Paul likes to write, read, bike, and work in the yard. The Bawdens have had the privilege to travel to Mexico and Romania on mission trips and visited various countries in Europe.