What Does It Mean to be a Christian Voter?

Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)

+Make sure your neighbors have enough food to eat.

+Make sure your neighbors have a safe place to live.

+Make sure your neighbors have the healthcare they need.

+Make sure your neighbors have clean water to drink.

+Make sure your neighbors have clean air to breathe.

+Make sure your neighbors are included and welcome in your community.

This includes:

+Your neighbors of another race

+Your neighbors of another religion

+Your neighbors from another country

+Your neighbors who are sick or have a disability

+Your neighbors who are LGBTQ+

+Your neighbors who are in poverty

+Your neighbors who are lonely

+Your neighbors who are in prison

These days, a plethora of politicians tell Christians that a "Christian voter" votes for the person who will "ban abortion." I also believe churches and clergy who crave political power repeat this lie to the people in their pews. However, abortion is largely a product of poverty, sexual / domestic violence, and lack of adequate healthcare. We cannot neglect the roots of this problem and trade the well-being of our neighbors and communities for a politician's potentially empty promises. We are called to care for the whole person of our neighbor; for their wellbeing and human dignity; we are called to care all of creation as well as humankind.

RBG's Death, and the Anguish of the Targeted

I read through my Facebook feed last night, and since we all have different FB feeds based on our social circles, I want to let you know what I am seeing. These are the people who are in anguish, especially now after RBG's passing:

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color)

People who are here as immigrants, even those who are now citizens

LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender people

People who are part of interracial and/or intercultural families

People who belong to marginalized religious communities, such as Muslims and Jews

People with disabilities

Journalists, scientists, and academics

Women of all ages

Men (particularly clergy) who understand the level of peril these above groups are now in at this point in time in our country.

Friends, I'll say it again. it's not about Democrat or Republican anymore. It's about the rise of neo-Fascism, and that we've got about six weeks to prevent it from completely taking over.

It has already co-opted a large portion of Christians and Christian churches; a large portion of our Legislature; a large portion of our Executive branch at the state and federal level; and now there is a reasonable threat to our Supreme Court as well.

Straight, white, middle-class and wealthy people might end up being ok, but the rest of us who aren't these things will not be. And those we love who are these things, will not be.

So for those of us who love our neighbors--get out the vote, and help our neighbors get to the polls safely. Encourage early voting.

For those of us who seek to pastor our people--preach love of neighbor and our duty to seek the wellbeing of foreigners, the sick, the poor, the hungry. Teach about our country's history of ethnic cleansing and genocide, and Christian complicity in the Holocaust.

For those of us who are healthy enough to do so--volunteer as poll workers and election observers.

And pray, folks. Pray that we as a nation will come to our senses and realize that our true strength is in our diversity, welcome, and inclusion. Not in our suppression of civil rights and human dignity.