The Christian Scare to Vote
Thursday and Friday's broadcast of Focus on the Family was the closest thing to saying "Vote right or God will destroy America" I have ever heard. The radio program featured Dr. and Shirley Dobson, James Robison, R.T. Kendall, and Ravi Zacharias all preaching messages of repentance and revival -- but with a very obvious electoral flavor.
The gist of the broadcast was a call to repentance and prayer for America. It made the claim that since America is obviously "righteousness challenged" God will judge America - particularly if America does not pick righteous candidates on Tuesday, Election Day.
The insinuation is that your vote could be considered a sin if unrighteous, godless candidates win office.
This kind of thing always worries me.
Comments
The condition of America is heavy on my heart.
How can God bless America when the decisions being made promote un-righteousness?
Christians need to fast and pray for this election so that un-righteous decisions are avoided.
Otherwise, God has an obligation to judge America for our un-righteousness.
To me, the logic is absurd. And the effect is to scare Christians into voting.
I believe that we are not to be afraid and that our hope is based on Christ, not on the results of an election. What these pastors are saying is that since the condition of America does not comport w/ their expectations of where America should be, they feel they have a responsibility to scare Christians into voting for certain candidates.
See, here is the problem: What happens if the Democrats take over Congress and pass same-sex marriage laws and God doesn't judge America? These pastors claim to know the intent and heart of God on politics. That is what is really scary.
Well, that's valid. Like I said, sometimes Dr. Dobson and the Focus on the Family group can get a little too intense for me. I admire people who are on fire for Christ and those who are watching the political front for the rest of us, but at times they go overboard. Again, I was a bit alarmed when some (I think it was Larry Burkett) were stoking hysteria in some circles over Y2K. Since then I take a lot of what they say with a grain of salt.
That's too bad that they're presenting it that way.