I would like to add my voice to the deafening roar of confusion, in hope that:
If in fact, by the time I finish writing this and have firmly decided upon a decision, I hope to promote whatever truth it might contain therein.
1) I might start a discussion
2) and that I might realize the truth of what Jesus would have me do, specifically in matters of democratic elections
What Voting Means
What does one's vote mean? When one votes for a candidate or proposition, what is one effectively doing?
Generally, a vote can be understood as a unit, a measurement, of confidence.
When one votes two things happens. That person is basically saying that:
1) They want A Candidate/Proposition
2) They do not want B/C/D Candidate/Proposition
There is both an affirmation and a denouncing or denial that is included in a vote.
Free Will
Voting in a democratic government is essentially the peaceful pitting of wills. The will behind one vote, is the denial of a will behind a competing will, and in a democratic government--a vote has exponential consequences on how free will is both looked upon and treated.
For example.
If a person votes in favor Libertarian views, in theory that person is voting for the protection of one's right to one's own goods and services. They are also, in theory, voting against those who would want everyone to share in responsibility for each other.
If a person votes in favor of Socialistic views, in theory that person is voting for the idea that the government should facilitate helping each other. They are also, in theory, voting against those believe that they have an exclusive right to their own time, work, possessions.
A vote for a certain view, is a vote against another view. It is a peaceful enforcement of a view upon another person.
Whichever proposition, or candidate wins--they will enforce the views outlaid before those voted, on those who voted (and more).
Government versus God
All types of Government, except for Anarchy-which dictates that no one should rule over another, and Theocracy--where God is sovereign, are by their nature anti-God.
However Anarchy is unachievable because humans are incapable of living independent of society,
and a Theocracy cannot be established by humans.
The United States is a Democratic Republic, which means that its citizens have the power to elect their representatives and to decide how they are governed (among many, many other things).
It rule by the people, instead of God. It is a form of rule that denies the authority of God over humans in favor of human's rule over themselves.
Every time an American votes, they are asking/demanding/saying that the government of the United States should change.
Every vote is a negation, or canceling out of another person's vote representing a different view/belief.
Or it is an approval in conjunction with other same votes.
Because votes are measured in positive integers, and because there are no fractions, a vote for a candidate is seen as an affirmation of the person as a whole, right and wrong, good and evil. A vote for proposition is seen in whole as an affirmation of both the positive and negative repercussions of that vote.
Jesus
Matthew 4:8-10
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
Jesus recognized that even He, who was perfect, should be humble and should not rule the world.
Not only was it not His time to rule the world (though if there was any time, it could have been then), Jesus [I will presume] knew that:
1) He did not have the right to silence counter wills, to force people to believe as he did
2) God is sovereign over all, regardless of who is in office, regardless of laws, He reigns and passes over all governments, decisions and votes. A vote for a candidate or proposition, places the voter in the position of a judge (instead of having God as the judge), and being imperfect we make imperfect decisions.
But then, some Christians may assert that they know how God would vote.
American Christians
John 19:15
"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.
To often those who call themselves Christians have said these very words through their actions. They have used Ceaser (government) to further their own gain, or they have mistaken the government's authority as more important than God's reign.
One example of this is when Christian groups, churches, organizations and leaders insist that God's reign is not triumphant unless it is supreme and manifest in government.
These actions stem from the fallacious belief that one may understand God's will enough to know how He would vote.
This belief is solid hubris.
Jesus Himself refused to take government command of a government, how then can American Christian claim to know how the government should be governed. Can humans understand the full range of consequences of a vote?
-Besides the fact that Jesus would not vote solely on principal of not believing in forcing people to live a certain way-
-He would not have voted because He could never endorse the full range of negative attributes and consequences that naturally come with every candidate and proposition.
-He would understand that by voting, He would be judging Human government--which would make the government the judge of God's law.
-He would understand that any wrong or evil that resulted from endorsing a certain candidate/proposition, would be a reflection upon himself, and upon God.
Based upon these four reasons why Jesus would not vote, Christian Americans too, should not vote.
