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So, if your a traditional Mennonite non-voter, and a evangelical leaning christian pressures you to vote or asks why you don't, how do you answer him/her?

Why don't you vote?

I am an alien, a citizen of another 'nation', the kingdom of God.

(I was in my second year of college when I came into this conviction, and that being only a year after the fall of the Republic of Vietnam, it was interesting to me that the fact that I also would not vote seemed to soften the anger or aggravation my classmates expressed against my conviction about not being involved in war.)

Actually, I'm not sure I can be classified as a 'traditional' non-voter, because before my college years I was extremely patriotic, and supported the US involvement in Nam, fighting against communism. Also, I came into this conviction through the 'Christian Hippie' scene first, then later, after more Bible study, moved from being an 'activist pacivist' to something more like non-resistance, although I never heard that word or term (that I can recall) until 5 or more years later.

I can’t join a partnership with someone of different faith unless I plan to be responsible for whatever he or she does. Voting means endorsing whatever that person does, and the duties of the office means I could not in good conscience occupy an office like sheriff or commander in chief.

I could elect a person of righteous disposition to an office like county recorder or coroner.

While I am a US citizen, More importantly I am an ambassador, a stranger and pilgrim. I’ve not much more loyalty in this country or interest in voting in this country than in another country.
Jesus said his kingdom is not if this world, and in that same sense of apartness, as His subject, I am not of this world. Most of this I suppose most voting Christians would agree with so far.
But practically speaking, I find voting to engender political loyalty’s that are better left neutral. And (voting or not) strong political opinions are a hinderance to better things.
On this site, Wade pointed out the problem of asking someone else to do something for you that you would not feel right doing yourself. This is also a big problem on the topic of voting for Sheriff or President and probably a lot of other offices.
I would find it more difficult to explain why I vote for an office, but refuse to hold office.
To abstain from voting completely is much cleaner and simpler than refusing to vote on some things, or refusing to hold office, or some other line.
Remember the experience of the PA Mennonite voters who voted for candidates who were pro-war? Remember how that turned out for them.

I think to not vote is much, much to be preferred than voting. But I do not think less of people who vote, nor do I think it is sin.

Tonight my sons were asking me who I thought was going to win the Presidency, who I wanted to win, and who I thought would be best for Mennonites. To each question I simply said I don’t know or something like that. I am not interested in feeding an interest in, and opinions of, party politics to children.

Just some of my quick thoughts.

A few reasons.

1: I cannot in good faith endorse someone who intends to take life or permit the taking of life.

2: I cannot vote as I do not belong to this kingdom.

3: the last election I voted in, my vote as well as my sister's were sent back after the election saying they couldn't read my signature.

4: Voting would put me into a group that would automatically classify me as an enemy to the other side and I wish peace to those I speak to.

Real simple, I'm sure there is more but that's a quick response.

Below is a video on the subject filmed by Anabaptist Perspectives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De273npZE5o&t=4s
[video][/video]

I am an ambassador of a another country as the scripture instructs in II Corinthians 5.

RZehr wrote:Remember the experience of the PA Mennonite voters who voted for candidates who were pro-war? Remember how that turned out for them.

No, I don't remember this or know of what you are speaking. Can you elaborate?

I have complete respect for those who choose not to vote for well-articulated religions reasons. Although I admit to being somewhat puzzled by those who become completely engaged in political opinion on one side or the other but then don't vote. Like coming on here or Facebook or anywhere else and trying to persuade people towards one political side or the other. Which is ultimately trying to influence the votes of others. But then shopping short of voting for religious reasons. Seems sort of like watching the porn but stopping short of the adultery or something.

When I worked in Guatemala in the Peace Corps it was strict policy not to engage in politics of any sort. Which meant not expressing political opinions of any kind, not accidentally getting caught at any political events where you presence might be interpreted as having an opinion one way or the other. Diligently avoiding even the perception of partisanship. Even avoiding talking Guatemalan politics to your Guatemalan friends. They were very strict about that with very detailed guidelines. I would think a more consistent disengagement from politics for religious reasons would look more like that.

Not voting doesn’t mean I don’t hold opinions. If I were living in the Weimar Republic, I would probably hold an opinion that Hitler wasn’t a good person to run the country. If I were living in Ukraine during the revolution, I would probably hold anti-Lenin opinions.

Do you think that’s wrong of me, Ken?

If I did such a thing, I would feel the overwhelming need to take a shower.

J.M.