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Should Christians Vote for Barack Obama or John McCain? (451 hits)

I am a born-again Christian. But if you listened to the Monday, October 20th episode of the Jesse Lee Peterson Radio Show, you would have heard me being cast in the role of Satan worshipper.

http://www.bondinfo.org/media/radio/radio_...

I was invited to be a featured guest on Peterson's show. And what I learned is that Peterson believes that my support of Barack Obama is in direct opposition to the Christian values that I profess. He believes that Obama's record on abortion and homos*xuality issues should compel me to vote for the Republican Party ticket, which features Arizona Senator John McCain and Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin. But I'm not. The Obama/Biden ticket is getting a nod from me because both John McCain and Sarah Palin have been displaying attitudes and behaviors that are unbecoming of born-again Christians.

Don't get me wrong; I don't question McCain and Palin's acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I don't even question their burning desire to advance God's kingdom here on Earth. But their collective attacks on Barack Obama the person have caused me to question the love they harbor for one of their American neighbors. If they harbored genuine love for Barack Obama, they would not have accused him of "palling around with terrorists." They also would not be making a big deal out of his close association with Jeremiah Wright.

The record shows that Obama and University of Illinois Professor William Ayers, once accused of domestic terrorism, were not close acquaintances. And to spend so much time making snide comments about Obama's relationship with Wright has me questioning their knowledge of American history. If they truly knew their American history, they would know that Jeremiah Wright's comments are appropriate for those white Americans who have yet to atone for their mistreatment and marginalization of black Americans.

Peterson seems to believe that I'm only voting for Barack Obama because he's black. This assertion is partly true. Who can deny the feeling I and other black Americans will receive when another black American occupies the highest office in the land? But I also approve of the approach he will be taking to implement the kind of change we can believe in.

Barack Obama wants to loosen the government's grip on middle-class Americans, placing the burden of higher taxes on those individuals - red, yellow, black and white - making over $250,000 a year.

Barack Obama wants to make health insurance available and affordable to every American citizen.

Barack Obama wants to improve America's public educational system through the creation of more pre-K/early education programs.

Barack Obama wants to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, investing in other energy alternatives.

And Barack Obama is willing to sit down with world leaders, both friends and foes, to resolve the differences that keep our relations tenous rather than amicable.

It is true that Barack Obama has a record of taking a few positions that don't support many traditional, Christian values. But when I look at Jesus Christ's ministry, I see a man who didn't show favortism, opting instead to interact with prostitutes, tax collectors and thieves. The latter groups understood where Jesus stood on the issues of the day. And many of them accepted him as their Lord and Savior in the months, years, following his death and resurrection. They came to understand that we all must overcome our selfishness so that God can be glorified through our righteous words and deeds.

Who a person votes for shouldn't be limited just to a candidate's stance on abortion and homos*xuality. Do I wish the world's citizenry could make better decisions in these areas? Most definitely. But there are times when stances on the other issues need to be considered as well. I agree that Barack Obama is wrong when it comes to abortion and homos*xuality. But he is right when it comes to tax relief for the American middle class and the cessation of war in the Middle East.

What do you think? Would you vote for the McCain/Palin ticket just because the Republican Party has a reported tradition of promoting Christian values? Would you vote for this same ticket because the Obama/Biden ticket reportedly supports abortion and homos*xuality?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Sincerely,

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

Posted By: J. A. Faulkerson
Monday, October 20th 2008 at 5:24PM
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Irma:

Even though I'm a Christian, I'm open to conversations with people from other faiths. When I read that you are a Buddhist, a look of ignorance crossed my face. I don't know much about the religion. However, I do know that most religions have at their heart a love for God and neighbor. My prayer is that this love will help us put the best candidate in office. I believe that person is Barack Obama.

Be blessed, and continue to be a blessing.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

Monday, October 20th 2008 at 6:50PM
J. A. Faulkerson

Jesus boiled it down to 2 Commandments, Love thy God with all thy heart, and love thy neighbor as thyself. I rather call myself a follower of Christ. Jesus' whole deal was that he fulfilled the law, thus ushering us into living by grace. I must say I don't see much grace being offered by many people who identify themselves as Christians. I once read an interesting point of view from Joel Goldsmith. He said, "Christianity is wonderful, but for the most part it has been tried yet." Using Jesus' 2 commandments, it doesn't seem that we are doing too well. Religion, by nature is divisive, and I don't think that was God's intention or Jesus' intention. We must be mindful to not let our religion but a point of separation, but a point of unity. The problem with most religions for the most part is that it presumes to believe that their way is the only way and that is what causes the push-back that has had a history of being so dangerous.
Tuesday, October 21st 2008 at 9:54AM
Barbara Dixon

One simple question Jeffery, I am a buddhist, please send my a reply as to what was the first thing about me that came to your mind. the very first thing. I will help you this much, I am Black , botn in the deep south in 1942 and have a university degree in Black history.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA

Oh, as I know that within my own self I have to power to do RIGHT or WRONG, I have no Buddhist God as that which I worship or turnto, to blame or to take credit for how I affect/effect my environment of which my body and mind are in during this life time or how my environment does the same to me.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA

OOPS, one last thing. If I were a Republican and all of those people who were in the Bush administration most in jail now that ran on that Religious, Family based party ticket, the McCain-Palin's campaing follow-up would cause me not to vote for the Republican party if those who have left the adminsitration had not made me leave before now.

Seeing that 6 year old child of governor Palin caring for that new born baby as I say at the convintion with the father and the older sisters right there highly upset me as a mother. As. a person against child abuse of any kind by anyone, the way that McCain and Palin were giving the thumbs up to unsafe teen s*x and dropping out of school and I think the children of both of these family need to lose a little weight for health reason. Those children should be in school not out for media objects as they are and with that six year old again taking care of the infant on stage with both of her parents.

I will not even touch what my community calls those KKK rally of McCain-Palin. Now I have taken up enough of your post. Thank you again for posting it.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA

good for you Jeffery.and thank you for your answer. I asked you this because when I tell the 'average' Christian, which encludes family and friends I have chosen to become a Buddhist for the past 31 years; I get the, "you should be ashamed of yourself for worshiping that Buddhist God!.There are 147 different forms of Buddhist practice in America alone.

I am a NSA Buddhist, but this is only relevant because I call it a Philosophyfor living a good and peaceful life and for the reason that all people and all religions are Equalin my eyes and reality. This is because we are all human beings.But, mostly because I am held responsible for any and all of my action, words and deeds at all times no matter the out come as a result.

My undying respect for you Jeffery as I am in agreement with your out look on people as not set by barriers, but unconditionally.And, I have said all of that to say this to youby way of giving you an answer to tis post.

"Please never ever allow others to define your values of your own self". This should be only premitted by the person themself for/of/by their own self.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA

I love to read. Reading is one of my favorite things to do. I read about the history of many religions and how that relate to the customs of the people in worishopand religious progress as society changes.The only reason I had to leave the Christian faith is they would not answer questiions. Every thing was an statement, a truth.But no questions must be asked or that "your faith is not strong enough" Which leaves me with a what am I doing for the rest of my life.

I live my philosophy, every moment of my life as my life is me,mine, when I die it will change to go on to be something else. This is the matural process. Every thing on this planed has a purpose.This is why I hold Mother Nature as perfect.

Barbara Dixon, you are an Angel (smile) You said it all and you said it perfect.
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA