Politics and Belief in Jesus

Ok, I need to start off by saying that I claim no authority in talking about this topic. I am just trying to process politics and belief in Jesus Christ as my Savior.

That said…here I go.

I was raised in a democratic household. My father once ran for Minnesota State Senate on the issue of abortion rights. He was and still is strongly opposed to abortion and believes that life begins at conception.  At that time Republicans were pro-choice and Democrats were pro-life. One of my brothers has served as district chair a number of times for the Democratic Party in his home district. Another brother ran for Minnesota State Legislature and won. He was a member of the House during the Jesse Ventura governorship. Lest you think the women in my family are less active in politics, I also have a sister who worked as an executive secretary to Representative Bruce Vento in Washington D. C. for 4 years of so.  As a sign language interpreter, I was the floor interpreter for a number of democratic state meetings and caucuses. In addition, one of my favorite memories of my youth is of running through neighborhoods across St. Paul doing literature drops for Mayor George Latimer and other candidates running for office during the late 1960’s and the 1970’s.  The pizza party and fun at the end made all the labor worth it to me.

Today, the world has changed mightily. Now the Republican Party carries the banner of pro-life and the Democratic Party carries the banner for pro-choice. I have learned it is very difficult to vote along party lines when there are issues in both parties and within the party platforms that I abhor. I constantly question the inconsistencies within party politics. How can the Democrats platform be pro-choice allowing innocent children to be killed and yet also be anti-capital punishment? Shouldn’t the choice of the right to life be for the full life period? How can Republicans take such a strong stance for pro-gun legislation when that legislation allows persons to purchase and legally own sniper rifles and automatic weapons never, ever needed outside of a military situation? It doesn’t make sense to me.

The area I struggle the most with is the different views the parties hold on how to be fiscally responsible. The Republican Party’s 2008 platform states, “We believe government should tax only to raise money for its essential functions. Today’s Democratic Party views the tax code as a tool for social engineering.” The Democrats Party Platform for 2008 states, “Today, America must unite again to help our most vulnerable residents get back on their feet and to restore the vitality of both urban centers and family farms –because the success of each depends on the success of the other. And America must challenge us again –to serve our country and to meet our responsibilities –whether in our families or local governments; our civic organizations or place.” I guess that sounds like social engineering but is it wrong? Is it wrong to help the poorest of the poor? Is it wrong to spend our hard earned money on helping our neighbors meet their needs? Is it wrong for Republicans to cut funding to social services in light of the huge amount of money being pumped into supporting business and the military?

The two different belief systems about taxation are very strong world views that few people are able to counter. Raised with one perspective it is almost impossible to change to support the other philosophical position. It is done, but I don’t think it happens very often. My opinion is that those Independents out there are people tired of the two party system operating in the United States.

I take all the differences between parties and try to place my belief in Jesus Christ as Savior as my guide in voting. Who would Jesus vote for as a modern day American?  Hmmm. I am sure none of us can guess correctly. I do think it is important to think on the underlying assumptions both parties bring to the table. Then it is important to evaluate candidates on an individual level. I admit that I have been disappointed and sometimes shocked by policies President Obama and the Democratic Party support. I do not support many of those decisions. Yet, the same can be said about the policies supported under President George W. Bush. Without completing my in-depth evaluation of the candidates for 2012 I can only state what I see on the service. President Obama is a practicing Christian. Yes, I know the theories that he is influenced by Muslim relatives. Ok, I believe in generational spirits that transcend our parents’ lives and are passed down to us through the ages. Do I believe President Obama knows the Lord at the depth to be able to pray about demonic strongholds in his life? I tend to believe he doesn’t have a clue. Does that make him less a Christian than thousands of Christians across the United States? Is he an apathetic Christian just trying to look good? Only God will know. Only God can judge the heart of a man. I will not judge President Obama and his stated belief in Jesus Christ. I will pray for him as he is an authority in our government and as such needs our prayers.

The Republican candidate Mitt Romney is a practicing Mormon. I have some very good friends who are Mormons and I hold them in highest regard for living lives committed to serving others and God. However, I have to ask the question. Do Mormons believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior in the same way that Christians do? No. They believe that Jesus is an entirely separate being from God the Father (Elohim). Mormons believe that Jesus was once created as a spirit child and that he is the eldest brother of all men and spirit beings (including Lucifer). Although Mormons confess that Jesus’ died for their sins, they believe that His atonement only removes guilt from past sins. Man must then earn his own salvation by his works and membership in the Mormon Church. http://christian-way.com/mormon-beliefs-what-do-mormons-believe/ 7/31/2013Thus, is it right for me as a Christian to even consider voting for a Mormon for the office of Presidency over the United States? Doesn’t he carry with him his own generational spiritual connections that I know to not be based on Christ? Doesn’t this background eliminate him from the running as a President of the United States to any Christians? Isn’t a flawed Christian better than a non-Christian? I don’t know the answers to any these questions. These are thoughts that whirl through my mind as the Presidential election draws closer. I also realize that while one person is the head of the political party, many others are members of each party. Are they better or worse? Is the Republican Party platform for 2012 more right or more wrong than the Democratic beliefs, or vice versa? Do we face choosing the better of two very bad choices? If this is end times politics in the U. S. I tend to think so. 

Overall, I find my mind spends hours fruitlessly scrabbling through these thoughts and many more about our country and my part in our country’s politics and future. God always brings me back to the basics. God is God!

He is the Creator. The Alpha and the Omega. I can trust in Him. I cannot trust in myself to choose correctly. I just do the best I can. I cannot trust politicians. I can trust only the Triune God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit to guide my walk in this world. Whoever, is elected I will be okay and so will my country. God is good all the time!