A question was posed to me, “Does a pastor treat an election year any different than another?”
My first response is no.
On second thought, I know because of the constant news and advertisements my thoughts, the thoughts of church members and the community do turn to the coming election.
You may know, religious institutions and tax-exempt nonprofits cannot campaign for or oppose a political candidate running for office. To do so would run afoul of the IRS laws and put the church or organization in trouble.
My church denomination believes individuals and groups have political responsibility. Our Social Principles state: “The strength of a political system depends upon the full and willing participation of its citizens. The church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs that are unjust.” (Social Principles: The Political Community)
Difficulties arise with the opinion of what is just or unjust. I heard someone put it this way recently, is it justice or just us we want?
I was taught every citizen had an obligation to vote because of the many who fought and died on the battlefield and in the streets to give us freedom. My understanding is it is our civic duty to vote. For me, to not vote is to lose one’s rights and voice.
The Rev. John Wesley was a 18th-century English minister, who was approached by a group wanting to meet with him for the purpose of understanding the Christian faith. He meet with them weekly for prayer and fellowship, sharing with them three simple rules for living based on the Beatitudes of Jesus. The first was to do no harm, the second was to do all the good you can and the third was to stay in love with God (by worshipping together). Many still follow these simple rules.
On Oct. 6, 1774, he wrote in his journal how he had met with his fellowship and encountered many questions from those who had votes in the coming election. As a pastor and a Christian brother, he advised them: “To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy. To speak no evil of the person they voted against and to take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”
Emotions can run high during an election year causing harm and divisions that can take years to heal. How are people of faith to act? By voting, we have the opportunity to support ideas and issues we believe in. By not voting, we leave important issues to chance. We all want a better society with “ liberty and justice for all.” One way to work for this goal is to get out and vote.
But, take heed of the Rev. Wesley’s advice on voting and especially the one to take care not to sharpened our spirits against anyone!
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is the pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church.