When voting becomes an expression of faith

My oldest daughter will vote in her first presidential election this year. She plans to come home from college so that she can cast her first vote in person. My daughter has gone with me to Presidential inaugurations and nominating conventions. And she has watched her dad accumulate a closet full of presidential campaign memorabilia — some from back to the time of Abraham Lincoln.

An interest in politics comes naturally to her. Unfortunately, her enthusiasm for voting is not very widely shared. According to the Voting and Democracy Research Center, the United States is 20th out of 21 in voter turnout among established democracies. Only Switzerland ranks lower. Turnout in U.S. presidential elections is typically about 50 percent. By comparison, turnout is more than 80 percent in most other democracies. Even fragile new democracies, where people literally risk their lives to go to the polls, have turnout rates that are higher than ours.

This is very difficult to explain given the religious culture that is a central element of the American experience. People of faith should be passionate about political issues. This passion is very different from the strident, and mostly useless, rhetoric that dominates the conversation in the national capital today.

The Bible teaches that government is instituted by a loving God for our benefit. In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul labels the leaders of government as “God's servant to do you good.” The word he used is often translated as “minister” — thus, many nations have a “prime minister” as the head of their government. According to Paul, the primary role of government is the restraint of evil. Americans have been blessed by God, through the courage of our Founding Fathers, with the opportunity to help determine what good gets done and what evil is restrained. Seen this way, voting becomes an expression of the faith that provides the moral compass for our lives.

I understand that many people are not excited about the current crop of candidates. I often hear political leaders described with the sarcastic tones usually reserved for used-car salesmen and telemarketers. Most of us only know our political leaders through the 30-second sound bites that provide a lot of heat at election time — but not much light.

I have had the rare privilege of getting to know many government leaders in the past 20 years. Almost without exception and regardless of party, I have found them to be men and women who care passionately about the issues and the people they represent. I don't always agree with them. The slots referendum that I hope is defeated this fall is a classic example of a lack of political and moral courage. Yet, I always enjoy our conversations.

About 15 years ago, our church led an effort to change property tax laws in Maryland for religious institutions who leased their worship spaces. We were able to see one-of-a-kind legislation enacted that has saved faith communities millions of dollars. When our bill passed, we delivered a plate of chocolate chip cookies to thank one of our bill's co-sponsors. I will never forget the phone call I received from him. In 30 years of public service, ours was the first time anyone had ever said thank you for his efforts.

The Apostle Paul ended his note on government to the church in Rome by reminding his friends that those who serve in government are worthy of respect. In another of his letters, he told a young pastor named Timothy to make sure his congregation offered prayers for “all those in authority.” Our votes, our prayers and even our words of encouragement can make a difference — participating in God's plans for restraining evil and advancing good. So, this November, I'll see you at the polls.

Kevin McGhee is a senior pastor at Bethany Community Church in Laurel and a 1978 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He can be reached at kmcghee@baltimoreexaminer.com

Advertisement