Should Christians vote?

[Dan Z]

Recently, joshabgood and I (and two other brothers) were invited to participate in a conversation about Christian voting and political involvement. It wasn't a debate really, since all four of us conscientiously abstain from voting, but a free-flowing discussion about the interface of the two kingdoms, and how and why we have come out where we do. I think you'll find that the conversation is lively and timely (especially with all the electoral hubbub these days), and I'd invite you to listen in as you have time.

Many of us here on MN come out at different places on this issue, and as usual, I'd be interested in your thoughts and questions on the topic.

[video][/video]

[Robert]

Why not add a poll so we can vote on whether we should vote.

[Soloist]

Why not add a poll so we can vote on whether we should vote.

Because it would only get the liberal votes

[barnhart]

Just saw the first half and it's definitely worth the cost of admission. Millioni was on a roll laying out the delusions of democracy.

[AnthonyMartin]

Great dialogue. I enjoyed it immensely and agreed with much,

To be honest though, I heard very little about whether I should or shouldn’t vote. I certainly agree with the ethics of suffering love and the cross as the crux of the Kingdom. I heard a lot about the dangers of aligning with a political party, but really nothing compelling for me on the vote or no vote question.

[Ken]

Personally I think the vote/not vote question kind of misses the point. But then I just sort of skimmed through the video and didn't have time to sit for 2 whole hours of discussion.

People and their institutions constantly interact with their government. For example, a lot of conservative Anabaptist are active in the pro-life movement which is inherently political and who's objective is entirely political. Anabaptist organizations also seek to influence government policy. I've seen political statements coming out of churches on topics like immigration and refugees, middle east peace, and so forth.

I view voting as just one fairly small way in which citizens interact with their government and the public sphere in general. But in a democracy it really the responsibility of citizens to not just vote once every 4 years, but also to continually hold their leader's feet to the fire to uphold the policies and ideals and morals that they were elected to do, locally, statewide, and nationally. If you engage your government (or the wider world) on any issue from abortion to immigration to taxes to issues of war and peace then you are being politically engaged with the wider world. At that point choosing to vote or not vote seems like and act of symbolism and nothing more.

[joshuabgood]

Great dialogue. I enjoyed it immensely and agreed with much,

To be honest though, I heard very little about whether I should or shouldn’t vote. I certainly agree with the ethics of suffering love and the cross as the crux of the Kingdom. I heard a lot about the dangers of aligning with a political party, but really nothing compelling for me on the vote or no vote question.

Fair enough. I dont usually try to formulate it as a moral or ethical question, but use words like "advocate"...etc.

[AnthonyMartin]

Great dialogue. I enjoyed it immensely and agreed with much,

To be honest though, I heard very little about whether I should or shouldn’t vote. I certainly agree with the ethics of suffering love and the cross as the crux of the Kingdom. I heard a lot about the dangers of aligning with a political party, but really nothing compelling for me on the vote or no vote question.

Fair enough. I dont usually try to formulate it as a moral or ethical question, but use words like "advocate"...etc.

Maybe not completely fair on further reflection. The most compelling reason presented, to me, was the dangers of tribalism and identifying with a political party.

[GaryK]

People and their institutions constantly interact with their government. For example, a lot of conservative Anabaptist are active in the pro-life movement which is inherently political and who's objective is entirely political. Anabaptist organizations also seek to influence government policy. I've seen political statements coming out of churches on topics like immigration and refugees, middle east peace, and so forth.

I'm not in any of the Anabaptist mega centers and perhaps more CAs are involved in the pro-life movement than I'm aware of but I personally don't know of any CAs who are active in this movement as in going to rallies and protests, etc. IMO, being anti-abortion doesn't equate being involved in political pro-life movements.

[Robert]

For example, a lot of conservative Anabaptist are active in the pro-life movement which is inherently political and who's objective is entirely political.

Not to bunny trail, but advocating for the rights of life is political? I would suggest rereading your Bible and Anabaptist doctrine. Our devotion to life is so strong that many of us will not take another's life, even to protect our own.