Think Independent (Reprint May 8th, 2007)

The following article was written over two years ago on a blog entitled Citizens of Another Kingdom. The platform that originally housed this article was closed earlier this month. I am periodically posting articles from that blog, which on a second reading stand the test of time.

Think Independent May 08, 2007

I know that it's bad grammar, but when it comes to politics it is important. Last night I posted a brief message congratulating Ron Paul on his good showing in he Republican debates on Thursday May 3rd, I voted for Ron Paul two different times when he ran for President. I may vote for him again, whether he is nominated by the Republicans, Libertarians, or the Constitution Party. But even as I say that, I encourage everyone to think independently when it comes to voting for President or dog catcher.

To help you in doing this I am enclosing some tips that will help you to think independently in all matters of politics.

1. Read the Bible and list out what it says to you on a gut level about issues. I encourage everyone to read the whole Bible. God gave us 66 books to study. I bet He expects us to read all of them. But whether you read the Bible through in a year, use a lectionary schedule, or some sort of devotional help. Take note of what God says about kings; for what does God judge nations; what does the law of Moses say; what does Jesus say about the law; how are we supposed to act as individuals? I give you these questions, but I will not supply the answers. You must study and listen to the Holy Spirit for the answers. These will give you your core principles for deciding what is issues mean the most to you.

2. Good Christians can be on both sides of the issues. Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee both claimed faith in Jesus Christ. During the 1980's, all three presidential candidate John Anderson, Jimmy Carter & Ronald Reagan had claim to being evangelical Christians.

3. Vote with your needs in mind. I am legally blind. Many Christians believe at we need almost no social safety net. They say that the poor and the needy should rely on the church alone. They don't remember that Christians in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia championed one degree or another a safety net of the poor.

4. The more you know about a candidate on any level the better. The fact that a candidate is new or unknown is not a plus. Everyone has negatives in his or her life. The more that you know the better. Currently, I am reading Barach Obama's book The Audacity of Hope, that doesn't mean that I will vote for him, but I want to know all that I can about him.

5. Experience counts. Even God took time to get David qualified to be king before He gave him the job.

6. Vote on what you know. Politicians can make all sorts of arguments about issues about which you know nothing. Your priority issues should be those for which you have the greatest conviction.

7. Think locally. What are the most important issues to your community? Talk with friends, neighbors, and family this will actually help to clarify the issues that should be most important to you.

8. Think individually. To what extent does a positively effect the most individuals over corporations?

9. Talk to your parents/in laws. God blesses us with elders so that we may glean from their wisdom. You do not always need to agree with them but they have years of experience that you lack.

10. Inform yourself of international perspectives. Christians vote in every democratic country in the world. Learn from the issues that Christians champion in other countries. You do not need to agree with anything you read, but it does help to be informed that there is more than one Christian perspective on politics.

As I have promised, I have sought, not to tell you how to vote, but to help you to think about how you will vote.