How does your faith affect your politics?

Hi - I come from a Christian background where no one thought that there was one party or one political stripe which represented the Christian faith. I consider that a blessing - it left me free to make up my own mind according to my faith and conscience....

Since then I've encountered a lot of Christians who seem to think it's un-Christian to vote differently to them. What do you think?

PS Please don't get nasty on this thread - I'm really trying to stimulate debate, not a row!

Thank you for posting what you did... It would be much more enjoyable to have a discussion, rather than an arguement !!!

I lean harder toward one party than the other, simply because of the beliefs overall, however, neither party is all good or all bad.. we should always be able to vote our conscience, and no one has the right to tell us differently... that is what freedom is all about... and what America holds dear. I think we as Christians should seek to know the truth about the candidate, as much as is allowed... and to vote for the one that closest fits our ideals.

God Bless...

To me, party doesn't matter - what matters: would my Lord be pleased - I will vote for the person with values, integrity, and of good character - getting harder and harder to find these days - definately not necessarily a bad sign, if you know what I mean - hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, I've sooo much to be thankful for !!

Look at it this way... say you believe that homosexuals will not go to heaven. So you woudnt vote for a president that is for gay marriage...that would be more inviting for a gay couple and their would start to be more and more...And being a christian your goal is to get people to go to heaven...not to hell ...well that's my opinion I hoped it helped

ANY person (including homosexual) who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior before that take their last breath, is Heaven-bound !!

There is no political party that I know of in the United States that represents the Christian faith.

For instance, in the New Testament, we are told in one instance that true religion is helping widows and orphans.

Now, some Christians wish to tax the population, and pay benefits to widows and orphans through government programs.

Some Christians wish to donate their money to the church and benefit widows and orphans using church funds and volunteers.

Some Christians wish to do both.

Some Christians wish to do neither, and help widows and orphans themselves.

I believe that the worker deserves his wages, and that taxing one person for the benifit of another is morally wrong. Taxation should benefit all, not just one segment of society. I don't buy into the idea that helping one segment helps all, because although that may sound good, upon deeper examination it is obviously untrue. I also think that many government welfare programs usurp the church, take money away from people who otherwise would donate it to charity or the church, and venture into ares not intended for government, and not authorized by the US Constitution.

I also think that the governmet sometimes provides incentives for poor choices and poor behavior, and not only is this contrary to Christian principles, it really doesn't help someone, or society in general, to support people in bad behavior by givng them money to continue their poor choices and bad behavior.

I have found it to be usually true that most people's problems are self-inflicted. Therefore, to reward them is foolishness. If they want help overcoming, that is different. With help comes change. Example - You have a persistent bad cough, and don't have much money. You spend some of your money for cigarettes and other things that exacerbate your cough. Should I provide you with free cough medicine, and think that I'm actually heping you? That's just silly.

I also think our government should stick to what's authorized in the Constitution, which was set up using Protestant Christian principles. Very few politicians agree; there are only a handful in Congress.

Thusly, I will vote for the candidate who is most inline with my thinking. There aren't many, and they are usually, but not always, Republican.

My Faith affects my politics...ummm...let's see, well God gave us life and life is a gift,xo im against abortion,and I think it's great that we have a Christian President who prays for our Country.

I think that a person needs to look at all the factors that a candidate stands for... or has made claims about, and decide who is the best... even if it goes against what other people of your faith tell you. Is it great to have a person in power who is strongly and openly faithful, yet supports war? Should you not vote for someone because their party is against something that is against your beliefs, but they themselves have never made a statement on it? There are a lot of things that need to be fixed in the US... and 1 administration can only do so much. Better to make a decision based on what the candidates are actually proposing to take action on, and hold their plans up agaisnt their passed experience. I will weigh my conscience on who can do the most good... while at least not adding to evil - and for me that is Richardson. Good topic!