"Confessions of a Bad Christian"

# re: Your Turn...

Oh boy, I love turns. And this is such a great, timely topic! Thanks for asking ...

I begin by saying how much I value my privilege (and related duty) to make my wishes known at the polls. I will vote even if I'm not enchanted with the candidate I select (I hate to admit it, but I voted for Ross Perot back when ...). Anyway, last I heard, God is in control and will achieve His purposes with either a noble or an ignoble outcome. It's best I leave that to Him while I work my assignment to be light and salt.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.... Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are His ... In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Tim 2:15, 19-21)

"No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected. For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness and spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty and from the thirsty he withholds water. The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands". (Is 32:5-8) 2/11/2008 5:14 PM | Kathleen Flanagan

# re: Your Turn...

One of the problems that all this media coverage of the presidential election creates is a kind of tunnel vision, where we only think about the race for president. There are a lot more races to be decided than just that one. The president is the one with the most power, but there are a whole lot more congress people. 2/11/2008 9:32 PM | Steve Goss

# re: Your Turn...

Why do we naturally assume that a vote must be cast for either a republican or a democrat? There are other choices some of which will be much better than McCain or anyone the democrats put up. If the American Taxpayers party has a choice on the ballot and things stand as they currently appear they will, then, that person gets my vote. 2/14/2008 9:04 PM | Dean Heitkamp

# re: Your Turn...

I'm concerned whenever people decide to abdicate their responsibilities in governing this land--if everyone who didn't like something decided to just "quit" participating, where would we be? If you don't vote, then someone else will decide for you what the course of our country will be.

Although I normally respect Dr Dobson, in this case, I think his statements are dangerous--many people look up to him, and will take his decision to "not vote" and make it theirs. I hope Dr Dobson will rethink his statement, and encourage people to vote.

Thanks for bringing this issue to light, and giving another perspective. 2/18/2008 8:08 AM | Karen White

# re: Your Turn...

I left the following comment with Focus On The Family after reading this blog:

I recently read Dr. Dobson's comments about sitting this election out. While I have always appreciated his leadership in matters of family, I beg him to recant his statement. If people who look up to him are to follow suit, I fear we may end up with the worse of two evils in charge of the executive branch. I risk my life daily in the skies of Iraq so you all may have the privilege of voting. Please don't throw that away. I am not a fan of any of the candidates either, but I will vote and my vote will go to the one whose values are most like my own. I fear if the wrong people come to power, we will pull out of Iraq pre-maturely which means 2 things. 1. It means that my friends have died in vain. 2. It means that our families are at a much greater risk from another attack on the home soil. Contrary to what Mr. Obama thinks, Al Q'aida is in Iraq. They haven't submerged so as to re-emerge at some later date. We are chasing them down and killing and capturing them daily. I believe they haven't been able to plan and execute another horrible attack simply because we have them on the run. Their thoughts are only of survival and we must continue to pursue them to keep them at bay. Your vote tells me that you care about the sacrifices of my friends' lives. It also tells me that you care about the sacrifices of all of our military families. About the men and women, who though happily married, play single-parent for months at time. My wife has been a single mom for 8 of the last 13 months and this cycle will continue. It is a sacrifice we gladly make to keep our friends and families safe, to keep our nation free and to protect your rights. Please, exercise those rights.

-David, Major, United States Air Force
Balad Air Base, Iraq
3/2/2008 1:03 AM | Dave

# re: Your Turn...

I can see sitting out an election if none of the candidates share your core values. I have for many years voted for the lesser of two evils. But at what point do we make a stand for our values? How can we be taken seriously when we say certain issues are important but I'll vote for you anyway since you are the lesser of two evils? Seeing the venomous outpour of certain republicans this year - their anger and resentment toward Mike Huckabee-their fear of competition and outrage that some of us would not allow them to push Romney down our throats-makes it difficult to want to align ourselves with them. Rush, Ann and Sean to name a few have done damage to the unity of the party.
3/5/2008 10:30 AM | Debrah