Vote Your Biblical Conscience

(originally published in The Daily Press - Religion Section, November 1, 2014)

Tuesday we have the opportunity to exercise our constitutional right to vote in the midterm elections. Who is elected and what measures pass are determined by those that take the initiative to make their voice be heard.

Casting a vote gives lawmakers and public officials your opinion. If you don’t exercise your right to vote, others will, and you may not like their opinions. Furthermore, voting represents our young children since they can’t speak to the issues themselves.

Growing up in the California public school system, we stood in class with our hand over our hearts to recite the flag salute each day, then sang “My Country Tis of Thee” and “God Bless America.” We were raised to respect our country, the cost of freedom and our political and religious rights.

Pastors today are under constant scrutiny for teaching biblical truths. Treading over the first amendment, the city of Houston recently issued subpoenas for a group of local pastors to turn over all sermons that mention homosexual or gender identity issues, in light of the HERO ordinance approved by the city council in June.

The first amendment right is the issue at hand, not homosexuality.

Targeting Baptists and Pentecostals, last year the government attempted to require permits for any baptism performed at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, although fishing and swimming did not require permits in these same waters.

Stemming from a 2010 Supreme Court decision, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, was recently “de-recognized” from the California State Universities after 67 years. The reason: Leadership was required to ascribe to Christian beliefs.

In our own backyard, the Rialto School district recently gave an essay assignment denying the Holocaust to 2000 eighth-grade students, stating such things as “any intelligent, open-minded person can be convinced that Holocaust gassings of World War II are a profitable hoax.”

The White House condemned the recent “despicable terrorist attacks” in Canada, yet is reticent to label as “terrorist attacks” what happens on our own U.S. soil.

The morality of our governing authorities continues to decline, but this is not a new problem. The Bible is replete with examples of kings, priests and government officials corrupted by their power. As a result, many sit in judgment of those in authority, only submitting when it is convenient or when in fear of being caught.

Yet, the Bible instructs us to pray for those in authority over us (1 Tim. 2:1-2) and to submit to governing authorities (Rom. 13:1-7).

The only time God permits us to disobey earthly leaders is when they require us to do something morally wrong or attempt to rule outside the realm of their authority.

Abraham Lincoln said “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

Voting at the polls is a privilege, a constitutional right and moral responsibility. Don’t miss the opportunity to vote your biblical conscience on Tuesday. This simply means to vote for politicians and ballot measures that most represent the teachings of Christ.

The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.