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Should a Christian Vote?
News and Features
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AF Blog Archives
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Should a Christian Vote?
By
Curtis Rittenour
| Posted October 10, 2016
It’s that time again—when Americans will be heading to the polls to decide which politicians will be tasked with leading the nation and their local communities. But in this especially contentious political season, some Christians are wondering if they should vote at all, especially when everything and everyone seems like the wrong choice.
After all, didn’t Jesus say this world was not our home?
Should Christians vote? What does the Bible say? Pastor Doug Batchelor and Amazing Facts present this inspiring, practical guide for Christians pondering their role in the political process.
Curtis J. Rittenour is the senior writer at Amazing Facts International. He pastored for 25 years and has authored books, magazine articles, blogs, and seminars.
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17 Comments
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6 months ago
Carey B. S.
I believe we have the discerning power to choose between the less of two evils
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12 months ago
Kim
I believe if you pay taxes in your country then you most definitely should have a vote as to how it’s run. Matthew 22:21
ESV - They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” NIV Caesar's,' they replied. Then he said to them, 'So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. I also believe that you should consider the political party you benefit the most from. Christians want to stand up for no abortion and homosexuality but those aren’t the only sins to avoid and let’s not forget that both are forgivable. Expand your minds to include, the poor, widows, strangers, elderly and orphans, these groups are also whom God said we are to support, so remember that when you’re picking your political party. 🙏🏽❤️
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9 years ago
ljjg
I know this is an old post, however the subject was so relevant to my feelings, for this election.
I did end-up voting, and waited til the last minute to do so.
I kept praying to the LORD, "what should I do" , "what do you want me to do."
I find the LORD answers my prayers in little ways; HE doesn't come right out and tell me what to do, but he shows me small things, then by the will of free choice, I make my decisions.
I did end-up voting for Trump; the reason I chose him was for three reasons, 1) I'm for the sanctity of life, 2) I'm against homosexual marriage/homosexuality, 3) I wholeheartedly stand with Israel.
Because of these reasons I voted, but I believe these were the things that the LORD showed me.
However, the WORD OF GD also states, "GD raises up kings and puts down kings." So I knew what ever happened it would be the will of the LORD.
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3 years ago
PDF
How do you feel about voting for Trump now? He has called so much turmoil in our country.
Is God only concerned about abortion and same-sex marriage? Are we as Christians supposed to stand by apostate Israel?
Please do not be offended by my comments. I am not trying to be mean spirited just want clarification please.
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2 years ago
Luridhue
What turmoil did he cause? he was actually pretty successful as a president.
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9 years ago
shermainewilson
I was so caught up on prayer and understanding. My mind just wanted to be playing to Jesus all the way. Well I did not vote but really wanted to. I was stuck. So much confusion. I wanted vote trump. And for the same reasons. However after watching Pastor Doug I was sure about the Lord's leading but then....I watched another sermon by some ministries who spoke against voting. Frustrating for sure. I even lost a friend on Facebook because of it. For the most part i kept quiet among my family and friends as to who I was voting for because i did not want to stir up anything. I agree with Ellen on keeping quiet.
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9 years ago
ljjg
I totally understand your feelings. It was a tough call, but you did what you felt was right, and for that reason no one should smite you.
Like I said, the LORD's Will will be done no matter what happens.
May the LORD bless all your endeavors.
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9 years ago
Anonymous
A sister had a very good answer about our day to day lives..."the word does reveal that God will use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. The simplicity of God somehow escapes men and in a lot of ways the foolishness of God is wisdom to men. It just comes to show that the realm that we know and lay hold of God is not the mind. We know and apprehend God with our spirit that is regenerated. God's truths are profound and very high yet they are applicable in our day to day lives." Sister sandy 1 Corinthians 1:27 also 1 Corinthians 9-23 .. We are free of the demands and expectations of others, but we can voluntarily choose to become a Servant to others ... Hence why we were given freedom of choice by our Father .. If you want to vote and feel your vote will do good to others ppl's rights or vice versa by all means just one thing go back to the basics " put in prayer and ask for guidance" everyone's answer won't be the same because God uses us as He sees fit for the salvation of souls..!!
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9 years ago
Anonymous
Should Christians vote? No. First, Jesus stayed out of politics. Paul's writings worked through but stayed out of politics (master/slave topic). Politics divide. My family won't listen to me sharing the gospel because before knowing the truth, I was staunch in one particular party as the rest were staunch in their's. That's 6 against one if we include parents, siblings, and their spouses. Even though I told them that I am no longer staunch in any party and don't even vote, they still automatically see me at the opposite side of every political question. And for those that say, "One of the worse things to do is to do nothing letting evil have it's way", just remember, there are Christian Democrats that consider Trump evil and there are Christian Republicans that think Clinton is evil. So the argument of trying to stop evil is mute. And despite how lightly it was treated in the sermon, we are indeed responsible for the sins of a person while they are in office. That's not just an opinion but a fact, an inspired statement. So everyone that voted for Bill in the 90's committed adultery along with him, along with perjury. Besides, the next person in office is in God's hands anyways. In other words, God "removeth kings, and setteth up kings" (Daniel 2:21). Why do I want to take a risk in voting against God? Our focus is to win souls and not be distracted with politics. If everyone would preach the gospel as much as they push their candidate or push why they are against another candidate, all of the United States would have been exposed to the true gospel by now. If everyone that is into political articles, watching every debate, etc. would have spent that much time in their Bibles and watching sermons instead, we would be well informed Christians of God's will for us.
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9 years ago
Anonymous
Amen Jerry! The Lord would have His people bury political questions. On these themes silence is eloquence. Christ calls upon His followers to come into unity on the pure gospel principles which are plainly revealed in the word of God. We cannot with safety vote for political parties; for we do not know whom we are voting for. We cannot with safety take part in any political schemes. We cannot labor to please men who will use their influence to repress religious liberty, and to set in operation oppressive measures to lead or compel their fellow men to keep Sunday as the Sabbath. The first day of the week is not a day to be reverenced. It is a spurious sabbath, and the members of the Lord’s family cannot participate with the men who exalt this day, and violate the law of God by trampling upon His Sabbath. The people of God are not to vote to place such men in office; for when they do this, they are partakers with them of the sins which they commit while in office. {FE 475.2}
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9 years ago
Anonymous
This makes so much since,which it is the bottomline!!! America was wrong for making monday the 1st day of week anyway, knowing its reallu sunday
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9 years ago
singingfarmer
Man, Gary Johnson for president. Return us to our roots. Be independent. Vote like you have power, to change the course of our country. Lots of little votes make a big impact. Forget the parties. Just cause he's libertarian or forgot where Aleppo was doesn't mean he's unfit to run a country. Maybe he doesn't like listening to the news. I don't either! So get a foot down and stand up! Research. I would rather have my rights back, then watch Clinton ruin the economy or Trump be Bill Clinton all over again. No more government involvement in our rights to health care. Obama care failed to do what it intended. Hillary wrote that document! So let's vote right and push harder to finish the work so Jesus can come back soon!
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9 years ago
Anonymous
You are so wrong. The bible says everyone is responsible for their own sins. Your family probably had a problem with you not just for your politics. It's also a cop out that you say Jesus wasnt political... he came here to save us, not become a politician. We are to stand up, follow Jesus in everything including politics.
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9 years ago
Anonymous
The Bible says in Ezekiel 3:20 that you can be held accountable for the sins of others. Ezekiel was not called to place Israelites in office he was called to preach the word of God as we are. See Fundamentals of Christian Education 475.2 "The people of God are not to vote to place such men in office; for when they do this, they are partakers with them of the sins which they commit while in office."
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9 years ago
Anonymous
Christopher, Yes we can be held accountable for the sins of others, but only if we do not warn them, Ezekiel 3:19. If we do not vote how are we to get like minded people in office, God works through people, in other words, we who profess Christianity must vote to get the right leaders in offices that matters to us. If you are looking for a perfect person to vote for you will spend all your life looking. David was not perfect but God said David was a man after his own heart Acts 13:22. Matthew Chapter 22, Verses 17-21 and this was not only about tribute (taxes) this was about politics.
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9 years ago
Anonymous
Charles, I'm trying to be logical about this because if we didn't have a so called democracy, people would complain about not having the power of the vote or a democracy where the "majority" rule.
If no one ever voted, how would leaders be chosen? What kind of a political system would we have? Who would be in charge of what? What kind of an authority would this system have? How would this system direct the country?
How would this system (where no one votes) carry its duty?
You yourself say, "David was not perfect but God said David was a man after his own heart." Acts 13:22. But we know that David sinned. God chose David to be king of Israel. Is it God's fault that David sinned? God chose Moses as a leader to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses didn't see the promise land because he sinned. Is it God's fault that Moses' sinned? God created Adam and Eve and He put them in charge of the garden of Eden and to have dominion over all the animals. Adam an Eve were the new "kings" of the earth as Satan understood this. Was it God's fault when Adam and Eve sinned?
In reference to Ezekiel 3: 19, we can be held accountable for the sins of others if we encourage what it is they're doing wrong...if we become enablers of the sinful behaviors or lifestyle of others.
What Christian wouldn't want to vote for the "greater good" of their country? Our christian learning and our christian walk should make it easier to vote for the greater good by voting our "conscience" if our conscience indeed has anything to do with moral values. And, if Christians don't partake in the democratic process, how are we supposed to warn them?
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9 years ago
Anonymous
Dear Brother Charles,
I do not want to start a "comment war" with you so please do not take this in the wrong way. I will address your comment in point format, for it will be easier to read, and hopefully you will see that my tone is not aggressive.
I understand Ezekiel 3:19. I only left that verse out because I was addressing the other man's comment who seemed to think that under no circumstance was he responsible for the sins of others. I apologize for the misunderstanding, but I do understand that verse.
The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy do sanction speaking out/voting for issues. Ellen White approved of AT Jones speaking out against the National Sunday Law, and she also mentioned voting for Temperance principles.
I am not saying that Christians cannot do the above. What Ellen White does condemn is voting for political parties, not issues. See Fundamentals of Christian Education pg. 475: "We cannot with safety vote for political parties; for we do not know whom we are voting for."
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment, and I hope that this response cleared things up a bit. Many people have accused me of having "open-hostility" toward Amazing Facts. Nothing could be further from the truth. I pray for this ministry ever day, and I deeply admire Pastor Batchelor as a modern man of God. I pray that the Lord will continue to use you in evangelism. "There will be no one saved in heaven with a starless crown. If you enter, there will be some soul in the courts of glory that has found an entrance there through your instrumentality."—The Signs of the Times, June 6, 1892. {LDE 282.3} I am one of the "stars" in Pastor Batchelor's crown. I am very grateful for the work the Lord has done though him, and I thank you for responding in a gentle fashion. In conclusion I thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you in heaven.
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