The following question was posed to me recently: “what if a candidate is good in all areas – I mean you think he might serve this country best through his economic policy or foreign policy – but he isn’t against abortion and stuff like that. Would you vote for him?”
It was a good question. The fact is, a fact which this person raised, that the likelihood of things like abortion being outlawed on a national level are slim. In fact, in my opinion, I think the states have a better chance of outlawing stuff like that on their level. But could I, in good conscience, vote for someone who would be for – or at least not against – abortion? Like any decision or opinion, for the Christian, it must start with asking what God has said on that topic. God obviously places immense value on human life. From the Old Testament the LORD put the penalty for the taking of human life at the point of that life being taken. Man is made in the image of God. Jesus gave His precious, sinless life for the redemption of mankind. Obviously, human life is important to God. Not because of who we are – but because God decided to place value on our lives. Abortion is murder. And murder is the taking of the human life that God places such value on. Could I support a man or woman who does not view this as heinous as it is? Even if such a person was more conservative than his or her opponent? Hard question! There are, obviously, two possible answers to the question. Let us, for the sake of discussion, argue this these two sides.
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One would be yes. It has come to the point that in America that often times a person’s view on abortion would not have too much to do with what really happens regarding that topic. On federal level, it seems unlikely that a pro-life candidate could carry their conviction. (Keep in mind, however, that important legislation regarding this matter has come to the executive level.) Hence, it would be irrelevant in considering who to vote for. It would leave the options open to candidate who perhaps had better views in other areas like foreign policy or economics or immigration. It would then be our responsibility to fight harder on the state level – where the goal of outlawing abortion may be more likely to take place. The option could serve the command to Christians to “do good to all people” quite well – on one hand you’re not ignoring the abortion issue by continuing to fight for life on the state level, as well as voting for a man who may do the best job in other areas of policy.
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The other option, obviously, is not being able to vote for such a candidate.
Abortion is murder, plain and simple. Would it bring glory to God to vote for a person who would advocate or at least allow this murder of innocence? It seems the answer would be an obvious no. It is true that although it is unlikely that abortion would be outlawed nationally, it is not impossible. Could I square with it if the pro-choice candidate I voted for signed into law a pro-choice bill, or vetoed a pro-life attempt? Or, what would be more likely, if that president appointed a pro-choice judge who made an even broader sweep in favor of abortion? I couldn’t. Even if this president was a ‘good’ president in all other areas. It would be hard to vote for I guy that I didn’t agree with on immigration or economics, but life trumps that in my opinion. God forms each little one. Knowing from the beginning of time whether they would be smart or musical, handsome or athletic, mentally handicapped or physically disabled. No one has a right to decide whether or not to take that life for convenience or any other reason. God’s value on life, is a value that we should have and protect. To speak out for those who cannot speak.
I think it is most likely obvious that I hold to the second opinion, but I don’t think it would necessarily be wrong to hold to the 1st opinion. But for me, life is more precious than economic prosperity, or other areas of policy that seem vital to the success of this country, because the protection of life is vital to any true success of a nation. At least in my opinion. I would love to hear what you think! So let me know, if you have a moment. =)
4 comments:
First, let me say that I am impressed with your blog. Not many people will tackle tough issues like you have.
I totally agree with you that abortion is 100% wrong. God commands us not to kill. From conception we are a person, and abortion is killing that person. To make it worse, they are attacking a person that has now way to defend themselves.
As to voting for someone that supports abortion, or at stands in the middle: I don't think I could do that even if the rest of what they stand for is right. Maybe if they were the least of the evils I could when there are no other options.
The reason I wouldn't want to vote for someone like that comes down to who they put in power with them. Suppose that a spot on the Supreme Court opens up. This person would nominate someone that thinks the same way they do. So probably you will end up with a pro-abortion, or pro-choice judge on the bench. Now once the cases dealing with abortion go from a state level (where they will be decided first) to the federal level, you have one less person on the bench to side with the pro-life arguments.
I will not say it is wrong to vote for someone that is pro-choice if his other policies (such as economic, military, second amendment) are correct. I think the best option is to vote for the person that matches all of your beliefs.
I pray that God will give me the wisdom to chose the best person to vote for in the coming election.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for visiting my blog and for commenting! That's a really good point about who they put in power with them. Especially with Supreme Court justices like you said. Sadly, the lack of checks and balances on that branch of government makes it one of the most powerful, hence the most dangerous. Thanks for bringing that up!
Hi Brooke,
For lack of more time, let's just say that I agree fully with your conclusion! Good post. In light of your post, I wonder who you will vote for this election.
My only difference would be that I don't agree with your position that it isn't "neccesarily wrong" for someone to vote for a candidate who holds that committing murder should be legal. If a candidate holds that position they have denied the very purpose of government which is to uphold justice and primarily to protect life (and property).
Considering your conclusion, how do you view "pro life" in relation to our current President? Keep in mind that George Bush's official position is that the brutal murder of innocent life should be legal under certain conditions (i.e. rape or incest).
Bryce
Hi Bryce,
Thank you for commenting! And I'm glad you agree with my post!
I wasn't sure whether "I wonder who you will vote for" was a question or not, but I will treat it as such. I'll be voting for McCain. Is he as pro-life as he should be? No. but is he more pro-life than his opponent? By a long shot. And in my opinion, a lesser of two evils is better than the greater of the two evils, and in this case, McCain is enough of a lesser evil to vote for him.
I agree that the purpose of government is to protect life. And I couldn't personally vote for someone who was pro-abortion. I guess what I was leaving room for in that statement was the person who in their conscious feels that by voting for the "better" but pro-abortion candidate they best fulfill their duty to elect the officer who will do "best" for their country. I mean, I see a disconnect there, but I think I could appreciate a struggle in a person's conscience on that point.
As far as how I view pro-life in relation to President Bush, very simply I see the President as a staunchly pro-life man who, as many people, struggles with the idea of a woman having to bear a child that is conceived through no consent of her own. Of course, I see abortion still as murder no matter how the life is conceived, for life it still is. And in so saying I could not excuse a person for believing that murder under "special circumstances" is permissible. But in the case of President Bush, I don't see how that exception clause could render him not pro-life when he has gone as far as he has in his fight for life. I mean, a guy who is against embryonic stem cell research (a very difficult moral dilemma for many), as the President is, seems to have his heart in the right place.
Anyway, that's my thoughts on it. Would you care to elaborate on your opinion of it?
Thanks again for commenting!
Brooke
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