If you look at the stats, many Evangelical Christians are beginning to swing left on the political spectrum.  You’ll find articles in Christianity Today (“the magazine of evangelical conviction”) and professors at seminaries advocating that Christians need to start being more responsible by not defining our voting patterns based on a “single issue.”  Even in  conservative churches these days there are more and more democrats gaining enough courage to voice their opinion (and run the risk of social excommunication!).

Well, this post may have been more appropriate pre-November 2008, but the subject remains deserving of some attention.  Maybe some post-election reflection is healthy, especially with some of the plans our current administration has.

Can you guess what the “single issue,” referred to by Christians hoping the church will swing its vote, is?  That’s right- abortion.  It’s not difficult to understand why we’re so adament about this issue.  Any honest believer knows that Scripture is clear on what stance we’re supposed to take when it comes to abortion.

“If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” Exodus 21:22-25 (NIV)

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” Jeremiah 1:5b (NIV)

“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.” Proverbs 24:11 (NIV)

Life begins at conception.  Abortion is genocide.  Christians should vote with this issue in mind.

But what about the other issues involved in a candidate’s platform?  How GREEN a candidate is; how they feel about healthcare for the underprivileged; how they will handle the economy.  Granted, all of these issues should inform your vote (and of course each should be analyzed biblically).

But are all issues equal?  Did God provide the same punishment for all sin under the law?  Doesn’t John even write that some sin “leads to death” while other sin does not (1 John 5:16)?  The truth is, not all issues in a candidate’s platform are equal.  If you’re attempting to get someone in office who best reflects God’s values, please be prepared to explain how killing an innocent life (a sinful act of COMMISSION) is on par with the economy, global involvement, our health care system or whatever else needs correction.

I am not advocating a particular party or candidate.  But I do challenge you to stop “straining the gnat while swallowing the camel.” (Matthew 23:24)  Christians who vote based on important “single issues” are being responsible.  I solemnly believe there is a trump card in today’s politics: it’s abortion.  And until something bigger comes around, I will vote accordingly.

Please visit http://abort73.com to learn more about this atrocity.