Voting

[dirtyknections]

Simply put…does voting in political elections violate Christs statement, about his kingdom being “no part of the world''?

The reason i ask is because my father who is a devout JW..says that is one of the ways you can tell who are Christs followers…basically he is saying that “voting” violates Christ commandment to be nuetral..he says a persons political involvement says alot about where that person puts his trust..
and that involvement in politics shows that person to NOT be a christian…

I have my thoughts…but I would love to here from my brothers and sisters on the board…

[NickHassan]

Hi DK,
Is it a law?
1Peter2
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

[dirtyknections]

Hey Nick

Depends on the country and type of government you live under

[942767]

Hi DK:

Based on Nick's post. I believe that we should vote. We live in the society. What if laws are passed that are contrary to God's Word? By exercising our vote, perhaps we are doing what we can to keep this from happening. We are instructed also to pray for all in authority, and then there is Romans 13 which states:

Quote

Rom 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom 13:5 Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

[dirtyknections]

Hey 942 and Nick..

I tend to agree..but would like some further explanation…on neutrality

[942767]

Quote (dirtyknections @ June 03 2008,12:13)

Hey 942 and Nick.. I tend to agree..but would like some further explanation…on neutrality

Hi Dk:

By neutrality, you mean like not saluting the flag or not participating in a war or even supporting a war against another country?

[dirtyknections]

Hey…942767

Yeah..those types of things…aka involvement in politics

[NickHassan]

Hi DK,
2 Timothy 2:4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
I do not think this relates to voting though.

[seekingtruth]

To not be part of this world in my opinion is more akin to not allowing “the world” to be our means and motive when making life's choices.

Voting as I see it is something we should do.

Wm

[dirtyknections]

Hmmmn…ok…so what about supporting war?

[NickHassan]

HI DK,
If you are set upon the rock your future and the decisions you need to make are looked after.
Political religion is not of Christ and never was.

[seekingtruth]

In my opinion, a country has a God given right to defend it's self, while I would prefer to help through non-combative activities I do not believe it would be a sin to participate in any war defending the defenseless.

Wm

[Not3in1]

DK,

The OT is filled with war. God seemed to give instructions for this evasion and that one. He said in some places things like, “…leave no breathing thing alive….” and so on.

Also, were not Kings and Court Officer's perhaps “voted” in? I dunno…..

[dirtyknections]

Good points everyone…so i'm still trying to figure out at what point “you've gone to far”…aka what type of political involvement is obviously not OK for a christian…

[dirtyknections]

Isaiah…talks about learning war no more and and “turning swords into shears”….do these scriptures show that war is not OK?

Are the wars of today backed by God?

If war is OK, then Whos side is God on in a war?

These are some of the questions that I am pondering?

[seekingtruth]

I believe it was summed up by Joshua's encounter when he asked what side they were on, I do not believe that God would want any war but they are at times necessary to make corrections in what would otherwise become a greater evil.

Wm

[dirtyknections]

Hmmn…

Ok..so bear with me…I'm like a turtle when it comes to the knowledge race 😉

Now, what I don't understand is…BOTH sides claim they are right and GOD is backing them…So is it fair to say that who ever wins is who God was with?

If thats the case…then who was God with in the cases where the “bully” wins the war…ie..Iraq and Kuwait?

[seekingtruth]

Have you ever met a “christian” who is worse then anyone in the world? Sure you have, we all have. Now if you ask them they will say God is “on their side” I believe most of us would know better. Now have you ever met some one who is so “Godly” you're sure God is on their side (however they most likely would know better). It's not who “side” is God on but who is on God's side.

I do not believe that God controls the outcome of wars though he may stir good people to action and take some action of his own in answer to prayer. Whatever happens, I believe God's actions are always for the greater good.

in my opinion – Wm

[dirtyknections]

hmmmnn…praying..and thinking…praying..and thinking….let me organize my thoughts…

Thank you…to everyone who contributed to this thread so far…

i'll be back with my thoughts later today

[Cato]

As stated before, war is mentioned in the OT and not as evil unto itself,
Pro 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war

Exo 15:3 The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.

Exo 17:16 He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

So it would appear there are instances that war is Biblically supportable; now whether the Almighty would approve or condemn various wars today, that is up to our conscience to decide and hopefully prayer and reflection will give insight.

Also many condemn war based on Exodus 20:13 yet the translation here matters, thou shall not kill is different then thou shall not murder.  Killing in a war scenario is not generally viewed as murder.

“God fights on the side with the best artillery.”  Napoleon

“The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.” George Orwell

[Author]

Posts