Maybe, just maybe, Christian conservatives recognize that government getting into the poverty-fighting business (at least in the ways it currently dirties its fingers) does NOT help the poor. Jesus taught us as INDIVIDUALS to help the poor, not to make government forcibly tax the rich to give to the poor. Read Life at the Bottom: The Worldview that Makes the Underclass by Theodore Dalrymple for a thorough discussion on the foolishness of government welfare. Seriously, read it, it will quite probably open your eyes to the evils of socialism, among other things.

As for environmentalism, perhaps Christian conservatives don’t like to be lemmings following the Rev. Al Gore and his bogus global warming cult. That COULD be a reason, who knows? Be stewards of the environment while not WORSHIPING it (and science).

Patti, I assume this was to what you were referring.

If you feel called (by the Lord) not to vote by that verse, more power to you. However, the context seems to indicate something else (or at least doesn’t speak to political involvement specifically). Immediately before this sentence, Paul is speaking of enduring hardship and being strong as a soldier of Christ. “Soldier” here is a metaphor, as are”civilian affairs.” We’re not literally soliers, nor (if you read further down) are we literally runners in a race. The context would seem to imply that a Christian should not get caught up in worldly pursuits (most likely money, fame, materialism) and forget to embrace the hardships that come with following Jesus. I don’t see from this one verse an indication that we MUST not vote. Isn’t this a false dichotomy, can’t you both vote AND help widows, orphans, and the like?

I also basically hate politics and the way-too-long election season in this country. I don’t pretend to understand all the different things a president is supposed to be knowledgeable about such as global economics, history, war, public policy, and especially the law of unintended consequences.

So, like a silly old lady, I vote what I know: a person’s personal life makes a difference and life begins at conception. I study those two things in a candidate. My political ideals aren’t that extensive, but they are lofty, and I stick to them.

I won’t vote for Giuliani or Clinton.

That said, still not voting for ya Rudy.

Hmm, you may be right. It was many years ago that I registered and dealt with the the issue of my affiliation then. Perhaps I have just considered myself an independent for many years, even if it doesn’t actually say that anywhere.

I completely agree with you, Darius, especially on the poverty issue. I’ve worked extensively with people on welfare, and I’m convinced it’s pretty much the WORST thing we can do for poor people. I was just trying to point out that younger conservative Christians are more concerned with these issues than previous generations, and political parties would be wise to take this into account. I’m certainly not advocating Democratic strategies for dealing with these problems.

PATTI, thanks for weighing in. I agree that we shouldn’t look to the government as the primary vehicle for carrying out Christ’s mission for us. This is a big part of why I’m a Libertarian: I want the government to leave a lot of stuff alone and let the private sector deal with it. I would be inclined to vote for a candidate who believed in such a strategy. But how does not helping elect worthy leaders make you any better at helping the widows and orphans of the world?

Colin, I liked my title better. I’m suing you for causing me severe psychological trauma.

That’s right, you don’t need to re-register unless you move. You can skip an election and they won’t unregister you or anything like that.