Voting my religion: compassion
Let me be up front: Tomorrow I’m voting my religion - I’m voting compassion.
Several evangelical Christian leaders like Billy Graham and Mike Huckabee (plus a Catholic bishop or two) have told people that a vote for the current president is a vote against “biblical principles.” According to them, much more than an election is at stake. Christian “votes will be recorded in eternity” and may not “pass the test of fire.”
They’ve reduced “biblical principles” to essentially two issues: gay marriage and abortion. Issues Christian leaders obsess over but Jesus said not ONE word about.
So, I’ve decided to use the free will God gave me and focus on those issues Jesus obsessed over, agonized over and gave Himself for.
And, I’ll be mindful of His loving example as I’m heading to the ballot box on Tuesday. See, for me, that’ll make things simple.
Who will feed the hungry? And, who will say “There are no hungry people in America”?
Who will offer aid to the homeless? And, who will scoff, telling them to “take responsibility” without even bothering to hear their voices?
Who will have empathy for the out-of-work in a historically bad economy? And, who will blame them for being jobless?
That will decide my vote.
Who will offer succor to the sick, the disabled, the elderly, and the poor without complaining that we’re being “forced” to give aid against our will? And, who will slash budgets ripping oxygen tanks and tubing from the noses of the dying?
Who will sit down and talk with a man or woman who has lost a job that provided financial and food security for their families? And, who will lecture about the “pride” of taking on two or three low-paying, time-sucking, benefits-free jobs that won’t begin to pay a family’s basic-needs bills?
That will decide my vote.
Who will make sure poor mothers have the basic essentials (food, clothing, shelter, education) for their children? And, who will say those mothers should never have had those children while simultaneously cutting off access to basic contraception and reproductive health information?
Who will support a woman who has been raped with access to medical care, psychological support and legal protections that clearly define what happened to her as unacceptable to society? And, who will question whether the brutal invasion of her body was “legitimate rape” or something she somehow caused?
Who will give medical and grief support to a woman who has miscarried? And, who will write laws throwing her in jail on suspicion of “killing her baby”? (Yes, folks. This IS happening in our country.)
That will decide my vote.
Who will offer civil rights in marriage to all Americans so that all may have the 1,400 legal protections marriage offers families - so that a sick spouse can sit by a hospital bedside and parents may have custody of their own children? And, who will use their specific religious beliefs and preferences to make law for a religiously diverse nation (including the growing number who reject organized religion)?
Who will protect the rights of each and every American to vote – to ensure that the powerless have as much voice as the powerful? And, who will use their political power to intentionally obstruct the voices of the weakest with whom they disagree?
Who will offer aid to men and women without homes, jobs or even a change of clothes because of horrific events like Sandy? And who will dicker on about “big government’s overreach”?
Who will be the Samaritan? And who will walk on by, eyes averted, heart cold?
That will decide my vote.
Sure. I’ll be accused of “picking and choosing” which parts of the bible and Jesus’ story I adhere to. Ironically, by the very people who are “picking” things Christ never talked about and choosing to ignore what he did talk about - constantly. So, I’m good with that.
I’m willing to take the chance that I’m right in following Jesus’ example and not wrong in disregarding the biblical threats of men.
I find it hard to believe that a holy man who would feed a crowd of thousands with a few fish and a couple of loaves wouldn’t want us to use the individual and collective power of deliberative democracy to feed, clothe, and alleviate the suffering of millions.
For those of us struggling to emulate Jesus (whether we call ourselves Christian or not) it seems to me that empathy and unquestioning compassion should be the guiding light for how we conduct ourselves at the ballot box … just as in the world.
Melvina Johnson Young is a former Midwest Voices contributing columnist for The Kansas City Star.
George Hunsucker
Northland
6 months, 2 weeks agoGee whiz, I am in suspense at whom you will be voting for… NOT!!!
Repeat after me, viable babies are not people and can be killed…. try it….
Allyson Cook
6 months, 2 weeks agoAmen, Mel. Amen.
Steven Fetter
66223
6 months, 2 weeks agoEvery person under 18 years of age currently owes $218,000 towards our national debt. Our current financial path is unsustainable. More and more people will need assistance of the type you detail if the economy does not improve.
I will vote for the candidate that will allow people to go back to work and will support policies that offer affordable energy to heat our homes and power our businesses.
The candidate I have in mind donates millions to his church and charity. Lets hope and pray that the right person gets elected.
William R. Nelson
6 months, 2 weeks agoWJDND - What Jesus Did NOT Do
Jesus did not say, “The poor in our society can be middle class with more gub’mint funding.”
Jesus did not approach the Sanhedrin to demand a tithe on Temple goers to clothe the naked & feed the hungry.
Jesus did not petition the Senate in Rome to levy a tax on all subjects in order to do medical research and heal the sick.
Jesus did not end the parable of The Good Samaritan with a guilt trip to goad the townspeople to pay for the expenses of injured others with confiscated wealth.
Jesus did not promise an earthly utopia through political solutions or judicial fiat.
All the miracles that Jesus performed were designed to point to His divine nature and the truth of His Word about Heavenly salvation - not to force solutions to the earthly dilemmas of sickness, hunger & poverty.
In short, many liberals who pontificate about ‘What Would Jesus Do’ seem illiterate of Biblical knowledge and down right bereft of Christian theology in their h3ll bent rush for earthly power.
Mark Hastert
6 months, 2 weeks agoAw WM R…..Ever notice how conservatives can rationalize away every lesson, every teaching from the life of Christ that doesn’t fit their “me first” world view? Why don’t you tell us, Wm R what Jesus DID say?
Jesus said feed the hungry, clothe the naked. He said to give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. He said sell all you own, give it to the poor and follow me. Jesus said to 1. Love God and 2. Love your neighbors.
He told YOU to do this. So …
Sylvia Christianson
6 months, 2 weeks agoWilliam R. Nelson, Jesus also said, “When a man asks for your coat, give him you cloak also.” He did NOT say, “Tell him how much it costs, when you want it back and where to have it dry cleaned.”
He told the wealthy young man, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” He did NOT say, “Give up the parts you are comfortable with and only to those you feel are deserving.”
Philippians 2:4-“don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
The Principle of Generosity - Luke 6:38
“Give to other people, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to other people is the way God will give to you.”