Hi Nick, i know you called yourself an Independent, but believe you said that you mainly find yourself voting Republican, as you also say its important to find someone who not only talks the talk, but also walks the walk, what made you vote Republican, what made you vote for Trump, what was it about their "walk" that made you consider they better reflected your Christian Beliefs and Faith more than the opposition, this isn't a trick question but a genuine attempt to understand why so many American Christians vote for a Party and President that i consider the very antithesis of my Christian faith, ....... and i don't think we can avoid being involved in Politics, whether it be by what we do, or just as important, what we don't do, sin can not just be by commission, but also by omission, to walk by those in need, to turn our backs on the suffering and oppressed is not i believe an option for a Christian, Politics is after all just a way of deciding in which direction Society goes, what is perceived as important, Loving our Neighbour as ourself and treating others as we would want to be treated is the moral basis on which all our actions should be made,....... as to your last question Nick, i've turned closer, much closer to Christ, i've spent the last 35 years campaigning on numerous issues in this world and whereas at the start i had faith in myself and others to change the world, i now have faith in God, whilst i still put my heart and Soul into my work i accept this World is heading towards destruction and my Hope is centred on the World to come, but until that time i do what i can to try to alleviate the suffering and destruction caused by Humanitys greed and Selfishness. it breaks my heart, but all those that follow Christ have their Cross to bear, and i guess this is mine.
Hello Rad,
It's okay to ask. I don't mind answering. In my State you can only vote in the Primaries of the Party you belong to. Meaning, as an independent I can't vote in the Democratic or Republican Primaries. I have to wait until the General Election before being able to caste a vote. Sometimes I will see someone in one or both of the Parties Primaries that I hope will win, so I can vote for them in the General Election, but as you can imagine that doesn't happen too often. So, my choices in the General Election are limited to who the two major parties voters have selected to run. Sadly, money drives the running for office, which is the case even in the small state that I happen to live in (Delaware).
The Major National elections that are Presidential are even more difficult to sort out as an independent, since once again. I'm not allowed to vote in the Primaries of either of the Major Parties. So, truth be told, the best I can do is truly seek to place my vote without considering the Party Platform, and History, which is really ugly on both sides, but seek in prayer to place my vote on who adheres closer to Scripture. Which can be a difficult task, when you see both as being reprobates! In that case, the Party Platform, and History might influence me in what direction I should go. No easy task Brother!
In the last Presidential Election's Primaries I actually switched Parties (Republican), so that I could vote for a person that I believed was a Christian who not only talked, but walked the walk as well. When push came to shove, he disappointed me, because he took the bait, and moved away from the Christian principals he spoke of and hoped that he'd adhere to throughout the campaigning.
Anyway, when there are choices to be made on who to vote for, it you include the Party Platform to the equation. It becomes even more taxing on ones ability to choose, but adding the Party Platforms, and History together can help tilt the scales one way or another. An example of this, would be if the U.S.A were engaged in a War. Regardless of how one might feel about the justification of having gotten in the conflict in the first place. Oddly, enough, Historically speaking, the Republican Party Representatives have done a better job of fighting Wars, then the Democrats have. Now, if Social Issues need to come to the front, then in most cases the Democrats have shown themselves to be more sensitive/compassionate to seeking a way of alleviating that issue. In both cases, it doesn't guarantee the result as being successful, but it helps to recognize who appears better able to succeed if given the opportunity to do so. Meaning, I won't hire an electrician, if my plumbing has sprung a leak or a plumber if my car is broken. Takes effort on ones part, but prayer and in truth knowing Scripture helps a lot. One must have a standard to go by, if one is to compare Party Doctrine.
Voting Party Lines, might get an occasional solid person in, but also in many cases, also allows those who shouldn't be voted in. Even if the office were for Dog Catcher. :smile: So, if a person voting is going the Party Lines route, I'd suggest they stop doing so. Instead seek that person whose behavior, words, adhere closer to God's Words. Might require an effort on ones part, because of the amount of data that is available out there that is both pro & con, but being faithful requires at times some hard work. I'm sure you realize this, as you have seen by having compiled the data on the Republicans, and if you haven't started already, on the Democrats as well. I suggest that people don't get too overwhelmed in doing so. It can be a weight upon ones Spirit the amount of information that is available to wade through, and ultimately may not help you decide anyway!
Ultimately, I believe that God will provide the authority that we should have, and probably the one we deserve to have. Be that positive or negative. We forget that the pool from which the officials who are voted into office come from, is the very Society that is Worldly and has no love for the Christian. So, if I know a professing Christian is running, I don't expect perfection, what I desire most of all is honesty. That person, will get my vote, unless I'm moved to not vote.
I hope this explains a bit of where I come from as it pertains to this "Party" discussion and why I suggested you research the Democrats in the same fashion you did the Republicans. Another similarity that might help you, is in the form of a question. Which Christian church is God's Favorite? The best I can come up with is the one that is doing His Will and have not forgotten their first Love.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><