[This is part 9 of 9 in a series answering the question who American Christians should vote for in the 2024 Presidential election]
Intro – Biden – Trump – Issues Not Addressed – Third Parties
– Biblical View – Fear – Summary – Final Summary
SUMUP TIME
Ok, so here we go. Who should a Christian vote for? Is it as simple as “Vote Trump, cause he’s pro-life”? Is it “Vote Biden to stop Nazis”? Obviously I don’t think so, since I’ve written a small book on this, but I can give you my rundown, and you can decide.
#1 – I reject the premise.
Allow me to share an example from a moderately famous example: the Kobayashi Maru test.
If you are unfamiliar with Star Trek, the Kobayashi Maru test is a training exercise for Starfleet Academy officers-in-training. Essentially, the test is designed to be unwinnable. James Kirk somehow manages to pass it, to the surprise of the instructors. As it turns out, Kirk won by “changing” the programming of the test. Why? Because he rejects the premise of no-win scenarios.
In the same way, I reject the premise that in our elections, we have only 2 choices. I reject the premise that the point of my vote is to “win.” We have virtually unlimited choices, and the point of my vote is to make my choice and political choices known. Whether my choice “wins” or not is beside the point.
Both glasses are poisoned. The only way to win is not to play. (and other 80s movie references)
#2 – Abortion.
If abortion is your big issue, as so many people claim, you can’t vote for Trump or Biden. Both are prochoice, and have been clear that they are. If you somehow still claim Trump is pro-life, you either aren’t paying attention or you think he’s lying. Either way, he doesn’t deserve your vote. (Biden obviously has been very clear). So, if you are a one-issue voter, as so many Christians told me in the last two elections, then you cannot be consistent and vote for either of the major candidates.
#3 – Don’t vote “against” someone.
Vote for someone you think represents what you want America to be. If Trump represents what you want America to be, vote for him. If Biden is your goal, then vote for him. But don’t vote for Trump to stop Biden, or vice versa.
What then Shall We do?
So, here’s my thought process, if you wish.
I cannot vote for Biden, because of his pro-choice issues. I just can’t get past that, and some of his other social issues just add an extra weight to it. I am also against some of his border policies. I do think he will eventually be seen as an above average president (in current rankings, he’s around 15 or so), but I can’t support some of his unBiblical stances.
I cannot vote for Trump, because of his character issues, because of his lack of morals, because he doesn’t know how to govern, because he tears the country apart, and because of his foreign policy which killed thousands of people. Plus, he has the same border questions as Biden. And he’s pro Choice. And he makes a mockery of the Church and Christ. Take your pick. Any one of those would be enough.
I will not vote based on fear. I will not say “iIHave to vote Trump to stop Biden’s socialism,” and I won’t vote Biden to stop Trump’s fascism/populism/trumpism. I refuse to have a defensive vote. I will use the power that God has given me, and the freedom that men and women have died to give me, to use my voice as best I can, as little as it may be.
Of course, as I mentioned, people will say “you have to pick one or the other.” I disagree. Someone asked if I wanted Biden or Trump to win. Again, an illustration.
There’s an old story that goes like this:
A lawyer is questioning a witness, and says “Yes or no, have you stopped beating your wife yet?” How can the man answer? He can’t say “yes,” and imply he used to beat her, or answer “no” with even worse implications. A false binary is not a choice.
And yes, I will admit that it will be one of those two, and I do hope it’s Biden, because of Trump’s utter disdain for America and ethics. But that doesn’t mean Biden has earned my vote. He hasn’t, and he won’t get it.
The Real Authority
As a Christian, it is not up to me to make compromises to save America. It is my responsibility to obey God, and to follow the guidelines He lays out in the Bible. It’s to Him that I will have to answer one day, for the choices I made.
So, in my opinion, the only option for Christians is to vote 3rd party. I think there are a lot of options, but if you are more conservative, that’s the Constitutional Party. If you are more progressive in your economic views, then it’s the American Solidarity Party. Or you can always write in Kev2024.
(you can also go to isidewith.com, which I’ll link here, and see who you line up with. But you have to be honest with yourself or it won’t work)
I believe I can stand before God one day and say “I did the best I could with what I had.” And the best I can is to not support either of these two major candidates. “Winning” is not the goal. Representing Christ as best I can, and honoring America is the goal.
I do not think “well, I did the lesser of two evils” will fly that day. I do not believe “I had to stop immigrants to save the economy” will get me a “well done, good and faithful servant.”
We have a responsibility before God to govern as he taught the Kings to reign in the Bible. Was the standard “just be better than that other guy”? No. We have an unchanging standard, and our job is to rule as close to that standard as we can. We have been given the ability to make choices, and a system that gives ultimate power to us, the people.
What will you do with your choice, your power?