EDITORIAL:
Elections, leaders need prayers
___Rhetoric will escalate this week, as the United States cruises toward election day, Nov. 7. Let us pray that the passion and intensity of political words will be exceeded by the fervent prayers of American voters.
___The Bible teaches Christians to be good citizens. Jesus commanded, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22:21), an affirmation that implies a range of duties maintained by responsible citizens. The Apostle Paul urged Christians, even those living under hostile circumstances, to pray for governmental authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We are to be good stewards of the citizenship bequeathed to us.
___Baptists, of all people, have a particular bond to the privileges of democracy. Baptists in the Colonies, particularly Virginia, valiantly championed the constitutional freedoms we enjoy today. They understood that our twin doctrines of soul competency and the priesthood of all believers form the theological infrastructure that gives shape to democracy. As each person is responsible for her or his own actions and accountable to God alone, each citizen has the capacity and responsibility to participate in the affairs of state. One way we express this privilege, this freedom, is by voting.
___In their appeals for our votes, the contenders for the nation's highest offices have spoken about religion more this year than any in memory. Both presidential candidates, George W. Bush and Al Gore, have professed their faith in Jesus Christ. Bush called Jesus his favorite political philosopher. Gore said he asks the WWJD--"What Would Jesus Do?"--question as he makes vital decisions. Both have committed their religio-political gaffs too. Bush campaigned at the ultra-conservative Bob Jones University, a stop with racial, theological and political overtones that set back his early candidacy. More recently, Gore solicited support from African-American pastors from an Air Force Two telephone, an abridgement of church-state separation that drew sharp criticism from a bipartisan spectrum of religious leaders and church-state watchdogs.
___By far the most overtly religious national candidate is Gore's running mate, Joe Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew. He consistently has quoted Scripture and invoked God's name. Early on, his religious pronouncements were so strong they drew censure from Jewish religious leaders. In contrast, Bush's mate, Dick Cheney, has been virtually silent on religion. His reticence has prompted observers to question whether he is so devout that he refuses to utilize religion for political gain or so distant that religious issues have no practical application for him.
___The volume of religious discussion in the presidential campaigns has heightened the religious speculation about this election. One observer called it the most important presidential vote since 1860. That's probably a stretch, but religion seems to be playing a heightened role in the campaigns.
___Ironically, partisans for both camps cite religious convictions for their political positions. Every "I can't believe a Christian could vote for ..." is countered by a "How could a person follow the teachings and vote for ..." the other candidate.
___Consequently, the responsibility for deciding the elections this year comes full circle--back to each citizen. In Texas, some citizens are tempted not to vote, figuring the state's electoral votes already are locked up. That thinking ignores two factors: First, never assume the outcome of an election. Unexpected things happen. Second, each voter will consider an entire slate of elections. Many of them will determine the day-to-day affairs of our communities more profoundly than the presidency. Each is important and deserves your deliberation.
___Sunday, Nov. 5, has been called a nationwide day of prayer and fasting as voters prepare to cast their ballots. We would do well to set aside that day for spiritual preparation for the task at hand. And even if you already have voted early, plan to join with others across the nation in prayer for the presidential election and all the other races to be decided next week.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
The Baptist Standard
©2000 The Baptist Standard