Are Uncompromising Christians Endangering America or America's Only Hope?
26 Oct 2006
Man, am I in trouble. It never ceases to amaze me what pushes people’s buttons. Sometimes I write an article that I believe will generate a lot of controversy, but end up surprised by an empty email inbox. Then, I’ll write something I consider rather uncontroversial, only to end up shocked by the volume and vehemence of hostile responders. For instance, I probably received more heat over my article “Poperah” (an article about Oprah Winfrey) than any other article I’ve ever written. Although female fans of daytime television appear to care little about my opinions of past and present world figures, they let me know in no uncertain terms that I had crossed the line when I picked on Oprah.
My recent articles: “Is it ever unchristian to vote” and “The Republicans’ Foley Folly,” have many up in arms and crying foul. They are accusing me of aiding godless Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections by discouraging conservative Christians from going to the polls and voting for gutless Republicans. Insisting that my refusal to pull the lever for the least of two evils is a vote for the greater evil, my critics are accusing me of falling into a Democratic trap and hastening the downfall of our nation.
Although I can’t see how my pronouncement of a pox on both political parties helps one and hurts the other, I can see how Christians who think such a thing have indentured themselves to Republicans. In my mind, political candidates should never take my vote for granted, regardless of their party, but earn it by their principled stands and performance in office. If I guarantee them of my support based solely upon their party affiliation, then what is to prevent them from taking me for granted and failing to address my concerns once elected? Obviously, nothing, as the Republican Party has manifestly proven over the last several years.
As Christians, we can ill-afford to sell our soul to any political party, lest we cease to be loyal to our Lord and become the mere pawns of politicians. Our divine calling is to uncompromisingly stand for the truth and against all evil, not to compromise the truth and settle for the least of evils. While politics may be called the art of compromise and today’s political gurus may contend that elections can’t be won without it, Christians must steer clear of compromise no matter how unelectable the truth may be. Like our Lord, who lost a public election by a landslide because of His uncompromising stand for the truth (Mark 15:6-15), we too must stand for the truth regardless of how it is faring in the polls.
A close friend and fellow-minister recently remarked, “Christian people are the dumbest people I know.” I’m sure that such an audacious assertion will ruffle more than a few feathers, but if we can get past being offended by it we’ll have to admit that there is an awful lot of evidence in support of it. Have you watched any televangelists lately?
If you ask me, it’s really dumb to think that America is being endangered by the refusal of uncompromising Christians to vote for the least of two evils. What is really endangering America is our willingness to compromise the truth and to be contented with the least of evils. The fact that truth is no longer considered a viable option in this country is what is truly imperiling America’s future. It’s certainly not uncompromising Christians who stand for the truth in church pulpits, our country’s public squares, and the polling places of every prescient. Indeed, such a stand by the people of God may be the only hope America has left!
Don Walton
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