Voting

Big Ben

A privilege and a responsibility...

The date has been announced, as long anticipated, May 6th 2010 will be the date for the next General Election here in the UK. Already around town we have been able to see election posters. The phones have been ringing with pollsters and campaigners seeking information about the hot topics and so far it looks set to be a bitter and negative campaign.

With all the hype and the  negativity it is tempting to take an easy option and say something along the lines of  “None of the parties represent a truly Christian world view and therefore I cannot in good conscience vote for any of them”. Or more simply as someone said to me recently “How about using your vote to send a message that hanging or shooting isn't a real choice .... by not choosing either!” On the other hand however already today, (the day the election date was announced) the bishops of the Welsh Church have issued a statement reminding people that the right to vote was won at a cost and saying “For Christians, voting at the time of elections is not only a privilege but a duty and we write to urge you to take this responsibility seriously.”

We know that throughout British History there have many revolts and campaigns that have slowly expanded the franchise to the vast majority of adult citizens. Most of these have cost people their freedom, many their health and some their lives. This is for a right that today many of us take for granted or even disregard. If we are to refuse to vote, then it needs to be a well thought out and public decision or we put their sacrifice to naught. That said there is far more than the cost of our right to vote behind the plea of the Welsh Bishops and behind my own fierce belief that we have a responsibility to take part in the electoral process. There is no Bible verse that says “Thou must vote in all elections”, but there are some good reasons why I think Christians should vote and not opt out of the political process.

Paul exercised his rights as a Roman citizen and used these rights to their full, both for his own protection and to further the gospel. He also urged the churches to pray for the authorities and to obey them (Ac16:37; 21:39; 22:25-9; 25:11; 1Tim2:1-2; Rom13:1-5). One way of exercising our own rights as citizens is to vote. Paul did not opt out of being a Roman citizen when he became a Christian, instead he used it. If we are to claim our rights and benefits as citizens then surely we should also take on the responsibilities that come with them. There is a saying 'Use it or loose it' which we all presume will never apply to things like our right to vote, but the fewer people vote, the fewer votes are needed for a minority extreme party to gain a voice.

This leads to the next reason. As Christians we are called by Jesus to be salt and light in the world (Mt5:13-16). We are not commanded to opt out, be apathetic about the world, or be too 'holy' to be involved. On the contrary we are called to be concerned and to participate. We can question our candidates, ask political parties difficult questions about their moral, ethical, social and spiritual decisions. We can support those who apply Biblical standards and challenge those who do not. Historically Christian involvement in politics and government has lead to many good things, universal education, civil liberties, abolition of the slave trade, and it is important that a Christian voice is still heard. In these days where many do opt out or become disenchanted with the process, minority parties like the BNP (see previous article for a Christian response to the BNP) can easily gain a foothold. We should not just stand aside and let this happen. Being salt and light to the world, means  engaging with the democratic process in order to speak out for what we believe is right and wrong.

That doesn't mean we will always agree over what is right and wrong in political matters. I have no doubt that church members will vote or have voted in the past for all of the mainstream political parties. The political opinions of Christians will vary and we should be wary of any who tell us there is only one way for a Christian to vote. However we should also be wary of refusing to take part in the democratic process. Is that really the best way to make our voice heard or is it merely abrogating our responsibility to look deeper and make decisions? Please use this time during the campaign to weigh up the different candidates and on May 6th please exercise you responsibility and your privilege and vote.

by Carolyn Phillips

  • This week's word...

  • "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."

    [John 13:34-35, NIV]

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