Voting from a Christian perspective

Posted May  1, 2019 in Faith

Many people believe that politics and faith should not mix.

But think about it this way: we seek God’s reign for every second of our lives, not just once every now and then. Thus voting for a country’s leadership is very likely the least we can do as Christians to play our part in the democratic process that we have been invited to participate in.

1. Voting publicly recognises that we submit to the authority of the political system in our nation as established by God. (Romans 13:1-7)
2. Voting recognises the equality of all people and their right to speak and be heard. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19)
3. It is one way that we can obey God's command to seek the good of those around us and our nation as a whole. (Jeremiah 29:5-6)
4. It shows that we care deeply about who our leaders are as we are urged to offer prayer and intercession on their behalf. (1 Timothy 2:1,2)
5. It is a simple yet significant way we can do something about politics in our nation. 'All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing', Edmund Burke. (Psalms 34:14)
6. It makes a difference the way a grain of salt makes a difference, and that is how we are to influence our society for good. (Matthew 5:13)
7. It is a privilege not to be taken for granted. Those of us who reap the benefits of living in a democracy should play a part in upholding democracy.
8. Not voting is a form of voting, as it will influence the outcome. We need to take responsibility for our actions, as well as our lack of actions. (Luke 10:25-37)
9. Voting has biblical precedence, for example Acts 14:23 describes that the early Christians elected elders by voting.
10. Voting is part of our stewardship to use all the resources we have been given in ways that honour God; to waste a vote is to squander a gift.

It is important that you do your own research on what you believe the political parties are really saying on matters important to you. The Uniting Church’s official view on the Federal Election was published on 28 March 2019 in New Times Online and can be viewed here.

* The original version of this article included a link to a 'Christian Values Checklist' which has since been removed, as it does not represent the ethos of the Uniting Church and were included in error. We sincerely apologise for any offence or distress that this link may have caused.

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