My Election Thoughts
November 7, 2008
I have been pretty quiet about my voting and election thoughts. I did have one blog post about it in the past, but I was still struggling at the time. I haven’t even told the closest of friends who I voted for until now. I voted for Obama and I am thrilled he won. He isn’t a socialist, he isn’t a pal of terrorists, he isn’t a Muslim radical. I don’t think he is a very religious man, but I doubt McCain is either. (of courses, these are assumptions based on my own observations, not absolute fact) I think he is a great man with great vision to lead this country though. I think he will improve foreign relations and I think the rest of the world already hates us a little less. I see that as a good thing. I could go on forever about why I voted for him. Please let me say that it was an informed decision. I read every article I could find on both candidates, biased and unbiased and prayed about it for a long time. I watched the debates then fact checked. I tore me up inside actually. Conservative Christians don’t vote Democrat, right? A friend of mine even said, “May God have mercy on this country!” when he discovered that Obama won. Really? But, in the end, I felt the best decision for our country was for Obama. I was so excited when he won and I was moved to tears the next day when I watched his speech from Grant Park. Some of that might be due to the fact that I love Chicago and miss it a little. 
Not only does Obama represent change for so many Americans, he represents something so much more significant, something historical. Watching Sherri Shepard on The View says so much. So awesome.
Posted in Uncategorized
November 7th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Did you know Billy Graham is a registered Democrat?
November 7th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Tuesday was one of the most inspiring nights of my life! I was selected at the very last minute (7:26pm to be exact) to receive tickets so I was able to be present when our newly elected President made that speech.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Conservative Christians can vote any way they like Democrat or Republican. A Christian however, must weigh the moral issues and how closely each candidate represents theirs. You love your children and chose to have them. Obama supports abortion. The right to take a human life is not ours to decide. The most precious thing, human life, Obama does not value. Obama opposes medical treatment to a child born alive, during a safe, legal, botched abortion. The child is left to die. Obama, said, “I will not yield to the pro-lifers.” I said, “May God have mercy on this country ” and I firmly stand behind my statement. I cried when he won, they were tears of sorrow, for all the innocent lives that will undoubtedly be lost under Obama’s presidency.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Gena,
Please, let me say first that you are one of many Christians I know who said those exact words. I am so sorry if I made you feel as though I was talking about you. Please know that the comment was not directed at you in any way. But, after hearing the 5th or 6th person say that exact phrase, I felt it just needed to be addressed. I was actually more specifically thinking of a gentleman I know (who doesn’t read this blog ever) who said, “It’s over. I am moving to Finland. May God have mercy on this country!” That does seem a little extreme to me and after hearing so many say it, so I addressed it. I feel it implies that God is conditionally merciful, which I don’t feel is the case. Yes, He does discipline, but always with love and mercy. And, as weird as it may seem, God appointed this man to lead our country to serve His greater purpose.
My point in writing the blog was more to state my feelings and I am totally open to hearing others. I don’t want to debate or argue though because as I said, it tore me up inside for a long time. And, it is over and done. I find abortion detestable and I am not supportive of gay marriage. I had to weigh all of that in my decision. I was quite torn for a long time and did a great deal of research and searching my heart to know what I felt was right and in line with what I felt God wanted me to do. I also wrote because I wanted to celebrate a victory for African Americans. I have many African American friends that have had limitations and strife put upon them due to the color of their skin. Racism runs rampant in this country still today. It was an amazing victory for them and I celebrate with them. They finally received something they have deserved for such a long time.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Jenn,
Thank you so much for posting that! I complete identify with how you felt. I have been watching Barack Obama from before the primaries…reading about him, thinking about his issues, researching, etc.
I have been secretly excited for him as well, but kind of feel I have to hide it because so many of my Christian friends see it almost as a sin to vote for someone who supports “liberal politics”.
I decided to vote for him after I came to the resolution inside myself that it is the church’s (ie Christians) job to address issues of morality by being living examples to people they have relationships with…to talk to people about the value of life…to HELP people understand the value of life and support women who are thinking about abortion or have had one, etc. I feel like doing this is more important for me to do than mandating these values through government.
I feel like voting for Barack Obama WAS in fact voting for my morals and values through a lot of the issues he stands for.
I’m really excited to see what he does in office and the people he mobilizes to get involved in their communities to help each other. I hope that Christians of EVERY political party are praying for our new president that God may use him.
Anyway…thank you for posting.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Jess,
You made some wonderful points and I really appreciate what you said. That is EXACTLY how I felt. I disagreed passionately with McCain on everything except abortion and gay marriage, but morality comes into play in the economy, healthcare, foreign relations, etc as well. I think they often get overlooked because people are so concerned with the “hot button” issues. I am excited to pray for him in the coming years and to see what happens as change comes to our country.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
In reply to Jess’s comment. I am a Christian and I do not think that it was or is a sin if you voted for Obama. You can and should address morality by the way you live your life, but you can also do so through the government. I was expressing my feelings not attacking anyone. I am not trying to pick a fight. I would have voted for any candidate that I felt came closest to my beliefs and was in my estimation most qualified to lead this country (As you have ascertained I believed FOR ME that was McCain). I do not care what color or sex the candidate is, was or will be. As a Christian woman, I am praying for this country and have been for many years. I hope that Christians everywhere don’t get stuck judging each other because of the candidate they voted for.