Yea, I realize the election is over...but the logic presented in his argument is worth revisiting. If you don't have the time or are easily sickened I will go ahead and sum up what he wrote: Christians should vote for Obama because it's what Jesus would have wanted. Why? Because Jesus was for the little guy.
Below, I copied and pasted his original post and my reply. Please note that on the issue of Jesus and politics I take great issue w/ both Republicans (and in this case...J Cliff?). It is unconstitutional to inject our personal religious convictions into our government and in the election of said government.
Why Christians should vote for Obama
I am a politically liberal person. I am a intellectually and socially liberal person. I am a aesthetically and entertainingly liberal person. With that said, it should not come as a surprise that I have chosen to vote for Barack Obama.For the most part, the people I spend the majority of my time with have also chosen to vote for Senator Obama. However, there are still a few hold outs. (I state this to illustrate that I do actually associate with ignorant people, by choice even.)
I grow weary of political discourse, I find that it so often becomes a circular argument which ends by everyone leaving with their original views in tact and frequently refurbished. So I will leave "generic politics" out of this. I would like to state, for the record, why as a Christian I have chosen to lend my support...and why others should too.
1. Universal healthcare. Jesus calls us to take care of the poor, the weak, the downcast, the sinner. He requested that we minister to the prisoners and take care of the widows. As I recall, there was not a stipulation of "as long as it does not raise your taxes." In fact, the way I see it, He probably wants it to come out of our pocket. If this country truly was based on Christian principles (which I will contend at another time), then the church shouldn't be the only one doling out lettuce for those 'in need.'
2. End the war. These people are our enemies, they hurt us and hate us. When Jesus told us to love our enemies, he probably didn't mean for us to kill them. "Well, they don't listen to reason," "They are just hurting themselves," you might say. In response, I would like to quote this scripture:"And if after you go to your brother he does not change his ways, bomb him."
3. Hope, change, together we can. These phrases are often harped upon as being vague, meaningless jingles tossed about by the campaign. Even if that is true - what's the harm in talking about hope? What is the real shame in a man who is looking to bring a country together for good...even if the plan doesn't seem feasible? You want a man who is vague - try someone who promises a future in things we can't see, touch or taste. Try following a movement based solely on "faith," then tell me that you can't behind someone who offers hope for the future.
4. Experience. Jesus likes youth. He calls us to be like children, to approach the world with eyes full of potential and wonder. He encourages us to listen to our elders so that we can learn - but not to wait until we are elders ourselves to do things. From what I can tell, Obama has surrounded himself with people full of experience - and listens to their recommendations.
These are not the only reasons I am voting. I think Obama has solid policy, sound advice, a great wife, and an awesome brain in that head of his.
Now - someone tell me what about this is wrong.
MY RESONSE:
1. Universal healthcare. - Ok, yea...Jesus wants everybody to be healthy. Who doesn't? But the problem comes in paying for it. What I DON'T think Jesus would be down with is taking money out of someone else's pocket and giving it to someone else. Let me illustrate:There are 3 tenants living in a rent controlled apartment in NY (ex: John, Tom, Chris). John works hard and pays his bills ontime as best he can. Finances are tight and he is saving up for his son to go to college. Tom has also worked hard but has fallen under ill health. He is no longer able to afford rent and take care of his bills.We know that Chris doesn't work and survives by his parents' support.Chris, who it seems has always had a pension for trying to interfere in people's private lives, learns of Tom's misfortune. Just as anyone would, Chris feels bad for the guy. One day, Chris has had enough of seeing Tom suffer. He doesn't have any fiscal responsibility or earning capacity so he can't help Tom out. So what does he decide to do? He decides to hit John up for the moneyJohn says "I'm sorry, I just don't have it. I'd love to help Tom and I will if I am able but I am running a business in a HORRIBLE economy, barely getting by, barely able to afford rent and trying to put a kid through college. I just can't afford to lose any more money.Now Cliff, the CHRISTIAN thing to do would be to say "Hey, thanks for your willingness. Let me know if you are able to help him out in the future. God bless."What does Chris do (who, if you haven't figured it out, represents the government)? Chris knocks him down on the ground and at knifepoint and says "Sorry John. I'm not taking no for an answer. Tom needs your money and needs it now. Either fork it up or I slit your throat." Yes...I know that the government isn't looking to slit anyone's throat but a 20 year sentence for tax evasion isn't pretty either.That’s what you and the rest of the democrats want to do. Through confiscatory tax hikes, you feel that you have the right to MAKE someone else pay for someone else’s healthcare. Privately, sure…you should help the guy. I’m sorry but the fact that you equate tax hikes with being a ‘responsible Christian’ is blasphemous, incorrect, and obnoxious.
2. End the war-I am guessing you are attempting to quote the Koran. As you pointed out, the religion of Islam is dangerous. Your solution is to pull out and hope the situation fixes itself. What planet are you from!? This isn’t a ‘War on Terror’…terror is a tactic. This is a war on Islamic Fundamentalism. How do we ‘win’? Well, by establishing a beachhead for democracy in the middle east. The effects will be the free-flow of information and ideas. The ability for people to capitalize and succeed. The result? People won’t turn to a sham religion as a last resort in a time of 3rd world poverty. Let me know if you want to discuss this further. Especially regarding the Christian imperative.
3. Hope, change, together we can. - Yea, they are nice things to say. What’s my problem with it you ask? Well this: The guy won the election by promising hope and change. Never did he clearly say what he was going to change or how he was going to go about doing it. Just that he was. It just BLOWS MY MIND that people voted for the guy when most of them can’t name a thing he stands for. Are you really trying to tie Christianity to campaign slogans? Give me a break.
4. Experience- Jesus likes youth? Really? This is your contention? I mean….really? We are talking about the leader of the free world. You really think YOUTH is the selling point!?
You really shouldn’t advocate candidates on behalf of Jesus. That’s just not cool. And if you do, come up with something more substantial than “Jesus likes the lil’ ones.”
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