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Dec
16

Christian Views on Voting: Why Vote at All?

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This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series Christian Views on Voting

Today we begin a new series of posts considering views on voting from different Christian perspectives. We hope you’ll think about these issues carefully, regardless of what you decide.

imageHistorically there have been some Christians, particularly among the Mennonites, who have chosen to abstain from the voting process. Many of these Christians abstain from voting because they believe it is inherently violent in that it is an action directed at enforcing one’s will upon others. Whether or not they are correct about this assessment is a good debate, but I’d like to suggest that there is a more fundamental reason to abstain from voting. The Christian is to belong to the Kingdom of God and not to have any faith in governments of men. More simply put, voting is unethical. Putting such faith in government is no less than idolatry.

The true choice is not between politician A and politician B, but between voting and not voting. I choose not to vote. I know it is not a popular position, even among Christians. As a conscientious abstainer I don’t take this position because it is popular, but because it is right.

As Christians we know that the only legitimate laws are those that come from God. God gave man dominion over the animal, plants, and all of the earth. But, only God has dominion over man. When you vote for man you are choosing man to have dominion over you and over other people, but as Christians we are to have one master, one ruler, Jesus Christ our King. We cannot serve two masters.

But, you may ask, what will happen if I don’t vote? Or what would happen if all Christians decided not to vote? If I don’t vote, will this allow for the possibility of a dictatorship coming about? Yes. But, I if do vote, is there also the possibility of dictatorship coming about? Yes. Voting is no assurance against a dictatorship forming. After all, the National Socialists (Nazis) were voted into the majority in the Reichstag in the 1932 elections paving the way for Hitler to be appointed Chancellor of Germany. The results of an election may not be in my power to control, but whether I vote or not is in my power. It is the vote that is the ethical decision to make. I choose not to participate in a system that is contrary to the will of God, and I do not worry about what will happen as a result of Christian abstention. As the old hymn says, “I’m but a stranger here – Heaven is my home.”

Worrying about what will happen IF you choose not to vote is a symptom of a bigger issue – a lack of faith in God. Which is ultimately a bigger concern: what happens if we don’t vote OR what happens if we do not obey and trust in God? We must remember that Christian ethics is a means-based system. We are to do the things that God tells us to do. The end results are left in God’s hands. Consider a similar question that could be asked regarding tithes and gifts to your church. Some may fear that giving will reduce their own financial security. Others may feel that their money will not be put to proper use. But we are not called to worry about the future, nor are we called to dictate how God uses our tithes. We are called to give. When it comes to our earthly needs, we are called to trust in God, not in our own wisdom or in a human government. We are called to be in the world but not of it. We are to be separate. By not voting, you as a Christian follow the demand of Christ to not be part of this world – to separate yourself from this world. Saint Paul writes “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2 (NIV) The pattern of our modern world involves voting. I challenge you to stop conforming to the pattern of this world. Instead, be transformed by true discipleship in Christ alone.

Doug Douma

Doug Douma is a Christian focused on advancing Biblical views as Truth on all topics into the mainstream discussion. His areas of interest include Christian philosophy, ethics, and Austrian Economics. He works as an engineering manager at an aerospace company near Austin, Texas.

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  • Colt_182

    Romans 13:
    1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

    2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

    3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

    4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

    5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

    6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

    7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

    Even the Israelites had a government. Deacons are appointed in the New Testament, to preside over man.

    Pro 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
    Exodus 18
    “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
    1 sam 8
    When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

  • Samuel Hora

    Colt_182, do these verses justify me to transgress some of the most basic commandments in order to punish someone for doing something I disagree with? Do they justify me to hire someone else to do it for me?
    When a “power”, “ruler”, “government” etc is mentioned in these verses, does this apply to ANY entity that has greater power than me (eg. local thugs, mafia, a mugger, junta, nazis democratically voted into office, a mob etc)? If not, where does the text suggest a practical and non-circular method of distinction between applicable and non-applicable powers?

  • http://contemporarycalvinist.blogspot.com Lee Shelton

    If there is no legitimate choice to reduce government (e.g. no “Ron Paul” on the ballot), I abstain from voting, even in local elections. But I wouldn’t call voting itself immoral. It must be, along with a myriad of other issues, considered a matter of conscience for the believer.

    As for refusing to put our faith in government, I agree. However, that should be defined more clearly. What constitutes having “faith in governments of men”? Would I be in violation of scripture if I “put my faith” in a plumber to fix my leaky drainpipe? I don’t think the mere act of voting is the same as putting one’s faith in government – unless, of course, the person casting the vote is expecting some problem to be solved through state-sponsored coercion. The only legitimate motive for voting, in my opinion, is to reduce government control over life, liberty, and property.

  • D. B.

    We see a wonderful example of Christian “voting” in the book of Acts where the leadership asked the congregation to look amongst themselves and choose (elect) seven deacons to oversee the distribution of food. The complaint was that the majority Hebrews were neglecting or discriminating against the minority Greeks. The names of the seven elected deacons were all Greek so the outcome was that the minority was empowered with the oversight of all — this humble submission to the minority is quite inspiring and obviously spirit led.

    Scripture is quite clear that we should not give up church attendance, we are not to neglect assembly with a local body of believers. While Jesus, from His throne in Heaven, is the invisible Head of the church, He delegates earthly matters of church government to us humans. If you are anti-government then you are anti-church according to the way the Head of the church established it.

    So if you go to church as taught in scripture and that church involves human government as ordained by Christ, then you are going to have to deal with imperfect government from “men of the cloth,” which in practice has proven to be not much different than imperfect government from men of the state. Let’s not be naive, politics, intimidation, propaganda, attempts at mind control, power plays, and the entire gamut of poor human behavior are often exhibited even amongst the most pious of church leaders. Just as the state exerts power in government, so the church. We see in Corinthians the “disfellowshipping” of a congregant, not quite the equivalent of the death penalty but the exertion of raw power nevertheless.

    Given the poor track record of government within the church, how does one make a difference? I suppose we could just whine and complain but the adult thing to do would be to get involved under the inspiration and power of the Spirit. And in the process others are eventually going to have to learn to forgive you for your humanity when you stumble in your imperfection. But if you ever do find the perfect church then by all means DON’T join that church because you, by virtue of being imperfect will have corrupted the entire scene.

    We have to be careful not to be overly pious and impractical. “Some people are so heavenly minded they’re no earthly good.” If we have to deal with imperfect government within the church, dealing with imperfect government within the world should not be that much more of a stretch. Actually, it’s easier to endure abuse from the world than to endure abuse from a brother.

    Jesus took His disciples to Capernaum to teach that the gates of hell would not prevail against the church. He took on the gates of hell which in this context was the worldly powers at hand. Jesus did not shrink back and withdraw, he spoke boldly to both those involved in religious government and to those in state government. And He taught us not to withdraw but to boldly go out into ALL the world. We can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us and there is no earthly realm in which the humble Christian cannot exert positive influence.

    Paul was a Roman citizen but he didn’t completely withdraw from matters of the state because he exercised his right to trial as a citizen. There are also extra Biblical accounts of early first century Christians who were elected to and participated in state government.

    So we’re not going to experience perfect government until Jesus returns and takes over the governments of this world, both governments of the state and governments of the church. Somehow I don’t think He’s going to be taking a vote at the second coming. But He still gives us a libertarian freedom of choice. As for me, I choose to try to make a difference for His Kingdom in the here and now by praying – and practicing, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

  • Samuel Hora

    (this is a repost of a reply mistakenly posted to a wrong comment)
    D.B., you committed an equivocation. wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivocation

    The fundamental difference between a “church government” and virtually all current state governments is that a church government does not govern via violating the commandments and it governs the things common to those who support it, whereas current state governments couldn’t exist without violating the commandments and they “govern” the private matters of people – even those who don’t support it.

    If a church government was like the current state government, you would have to be a member of any “church” closest to your home without the option of choosing your church (without moving) and you’d have to obey their leaders regardless of whether they obey God even in the most basic things. You’d have to allow them to meddle in your private matters and seize your property and the lives of you and your closest ones.

    On the other hand, if a state government was like a church government, you would have the option to choose between multiple existing and functioning governments in the same local area without moving, it would be supported voluntarily exclusively and the only possible coercion could be what you previously explicitly agreed to only or excommunication from that one “state membership” (but again without the need of moving). They couldn’t tax you, draft you, confiscate your property, coerce you violently nor dictate what you may or may not do with your own property.

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