I'm preparing to go vote in the next few hours and I'm still undecided. I think this election is tough on black Christians almost more than other folk, mainly because of the pressure in the Black society to vote for Obama. I have issues with both candidates as to their views and policies that it makes the choice difficult. The Reps claim to be Pro-life and yet have no problems w/ the Death Penalty. The Dems claim to be Pro-Choice and have no problem killing fetus' yet have a problem w/ the Death penalty. There's issues that arise with some of the Dem's policies- Gay Marriage among others that as a Christian I have problems with. Plus, there's a lot of pressure in much of the black society that you HAVE to vote for Obama, any thing else makes you an Uncle Tom. Now no one is going to pressure me to vote for one or the other but I've had enough with the sentiment that if you vote Republican in this election you must be an Uncle Tom. In my case, it's do I put my religious beliefs above all or do I think of who will benefit and move the American economy forward the best. What do y'all think, especially the Christians on the BBS?
Seriously, does anyone have the link to the thread with rhester (a pastor/minister), MadMax, and Mulder discussing the teachings of Christ in a modern context? That might be helpful to our OP here.
ferrari77, I have one problem with your post. Being pro-choice does not necessarily make one approve of abortion. It only means that no one should make a decision like that except for the woman having to deal with it. I would like to ask you one other question in regards to gay marriage... In what way does it affect your life as a human and/or a Christian? You have to decide who will take this country in the right direction by your definition. You don't have to vote for anyone based on your color, your race, etc., etc. You do what you feel is best, period.
ferrari: Good luck in figuring this out. You shouldn't feel pressure to vote based on race. I hope you'll find Obama is the better candidate for you, maybe even especially as a Christian. I'm not a Christian, so I won't pretend to have any special insight there. But Obama is one and Christianity has apparently contributed significantly to his thinking about public policy, so maybe you'll find some common ground there. Regarding gay marriage, I think you're making this more complicated than it actually is. If you oppose gay marriage, don't marry a gay. Problem solved.
Makes it real simple. Thanks for the questions and advice Leroy420. That's the kind of thing I need to think about.
I'm a white Christian and I have no problem voting for Obama. I'm pro-life (and pro real sex ed) but also pro-gay marriage. Some Christian denominations believe that since Jesus fulfilled all the laws of the old covenant that that, along with him establishing a new covenant, meant that Christians are no longer required to follow Mosaic law. This is why we don't have to follow dietary restrictions or sacrifice animals like it's detailed in the old testament. It would also make the passage in Leviticus that everyone cites regarding homosexuality no longer applicable.
i don't necessarily see why if you feel as though your religion does not allow gay marriages, you should forbid others from marrying. most denominations require some sort of belief in the trinity. do you feel the need to require the government to mandate belief in the trinity? live and let live. bless you for having whatever beliefs you have. all the major religions have wonderful teachings in them. but why should you force them on others? if someone doesn't believe homosexuality is a sin, or doesn't care, why do you? its their problem.
The "I will vote for obama" thread turned out to be a great thread. after I read what the OP posted in it, I stopped following it.
why does religion have to enter into the equation? why would your religion, muslim, jewish, hindu, christian (or christian demonination) influence your vote? a presidents job is to be commander in chief, (and possibly chief steward of the economy) not pope, mufti, patriarch. ours is not a country where the head of state is also the head of church. can't you just vote as an american?
I hope you take the time to read my thoughts in the other thread because they have made this election an easy choice for me. I have a problem with your statement. I am absolutely anti-abortion as are most on the left. Even abortion doctors are anti-abortion. It is a drastic and tragic end to a pregnancy. That being said, it is absolutely NOT the role of the federal government (or any government) to step in to a medical issue and make a determination. Should abortion clinics be funded by the government? I think that this is a medical procedure and the government should assist with the cost for those that cannot afford it. Abortion as a form of birth control is a terrible thing. But at the same time, the government has no right to step in a force a woman to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. The major problem I have is when there is an issue of viability of the fetus after birth and health of the mother. Then it is absolutely out of bounds for the government to step in. and don't get me started on RU-486...
"In my case, it's do I put my religious beliefs above all or do I think of who will benefit and move the American economy forward the best." Well if you truly meant the "or " you placed in the above sentiment decide if you are voting for someone who can foward your religious beliefs or who can benefit American the best. You answer hides in your question Grasshopper. Oh, and, I dunno. Good luck and God Bless.
The truth is: Abortion will likely always be legal, it just depends on what degree you make it legal. Obama may lead to more liberal abortion policies. Gay marriage will be legalized sooner or later. Biden said during the Vice Presidential debate that he and Obama are against gay marriage, but for giving them equal benefits such as insurance. This is probably the Seperate but equal stage for them. Republicans like myself are pro-death penalty because those people have lost their innocense, something an unborn child is entitled to. I can't speak for either candidate on this topic though. Don't vote for Obama because you are black, but don't vote for McCain just to avoid being a follower. Vote for who you think is best for this country. If you feel one is moral whil the other is not, then certainly select the moral individual. Morality is very important. I'll vote McCain to protect against a one-party government. Vote Obama if you agree with his policies because they will likely become law with democrats in control of congress.
If it is a morality question, is it still wrong for him to decide by it? I agree religion shouldn't effect how people vote(aside from very radical beliefs), but I think morals often influence by your religous beliefs should be accounted for.
no, but again i'm not sure that religion should dictate your morals. i'm anti-abortion, but not because jesus told me so. i'm also pro-gay marriage, and i'd like to think jesus would have been down with that as well. the buddah certainly digs guys in flowing saffron robes...
I'm certainly not religous. I think there is too much hypocricy and corruption in religion. I'd have a problem that Jews and Muslims stand no chance of becoming president anytime soon. Voting based on the candidates belief in whether Jesus was a prophet, savior, or just a hack is wrong. I wonder how many people still think that Obama is a Muslim?
On the gay marriage issue, I really dont see a problem why Gay Marriage scares the hell out of Christians. Isnt Marriage a social, religious, spiritual or legal union of individuals? Meaning it can be either of those? Why does religion keep rearing its ugly head in others business? If a gay couple should and want to get married they shouldnt get any guff. I dont see how it destroys the sanctity of heterosexual marriage/their religious views on marriage. Just get over it. Hell if anything, Gay marriage doesnt get legalized, couldnt some person just make up a religion where gay people can marry under their beliefs? This way government, people or group try to deny them the right to get married, they could just cry descrimination and win the right to marriage and all its benefits? Im pretty sure there are loopholes to get around that.
