Last weekend a powerful earthquake shook Italy, sparing lives but destroying several beautiful landmarks, including the 14th century Basilica of St. Benedict, built on the traditional birthplace of St. Benedict.
It seems a fitting metaphor for what is happening right now on this side of the ocean.
While lives are going on as normal, we are losing the foundation under our feet.
President John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers, once said,
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
Unfortunately, he is being proven correct.
After previous elections, I have often awoken the next day despondent. How can people not see? How can they choose so wrongly? What will become of us?
I will not feel that way this year. No matter who wins, I will simply be sad. Not despondent, as if we have lost a chance at something great. Simply sad, because there can be no victory here, no real upside.
Let’s be honest: Hillary Clinton represents the end of the rule of law as we know it. Donald Trump represents the end of decency as we know it.
The both are unfit for office, and they both have real cultural costs associated with them.
In my opinion, to try to defend either one is to compromise one’s fundamental moral compass.
As some of my regular readers know, over the last few years I’ve finally managed to solidify my American citizenship and get my American passport (even though I’m also Canadian). I was born in the U.S., but have never lived there. So I was looking forward to getting to vote for the first time in 2016!
Right after getting my passport a year and a half ago–no makeup, too! Yeah, baby.
Earlier this year as I investigated the process of registering, though, it turns out it’s far more complicated than I thought. I would have to register in the only state in which I ever lived (I was there for three months as a baby), and that would open me up to paying state taxes. It’s not a swing state, either, so my vote wouldn’t really make a difference.
I didn’t go through the hassle.
I’m almost glad.
If I could vote, though, I would. However, I would not vote FOR either candidate, because neither candidate is fit to be president. Thus, I would have to vote on other criteria.
To me, it comes down to this: losing the rule of law is worse than losing decency.
To quote John Adams again,
When legislature is corrupted, the people are undone.
The Magna Carta is commonly thought as the first democratic document in the western world. Signed in 1215, its main purpose was to limit the power of the king. Laws could not apply to some and not to others. This was the most fundamental thing that we had to get right before we could even start to set up a proper democracy, and so to me, the rule of law can’t be compromised.
And yet I don’t like just voting against something, so I would have to find SOMETHING to vote FOR. And that would come down to voting for a platform, or voting for the other people who would also be in office. After all, a president brings with him or her a Vice President, a Secretary of State, a Head of Homeland Security, a Secretary of National Defense, a Head of the Treasury, etc. etc. And those people, too, will wield tremendous power, let alone the Supreme Court Justices. And so, even though I could not vote for either candidate for president, I would vote for the one who would bring with him (and it is a him, in this case), the better people for those jobs.
But I would not be happy about it.
And you will never, ever hear me defending Donald Trump (especially since I just heard that like Bill Clinton he has been accused of child rape. Really? I can’t take any more. I really can’t).
In fact, let me offer a plea to all Christians reading this: Please, please stop defending Trump.
When Christians do that, it is as if we are giving the impression that Jesus doesn’t mind sexual harrassment and sexual assault; that Jesus laughs at misogynistic and racist jokes; that Jesus is okay with people insulting others for fun. And He is not. He wants us to be kind to one another and to respect one another, and Trump does not do that. The man is a pig.
When I see people holding up “Jesus” signs while at a Trump rally, I feel sick.
And yet…for the first time in a long time, I feel a lightness about the political process.
Up until now, politics has been a burden to me. It’s as if I have to figure out what to do to convince people to see the world the way that I do, so that we can actually start fixing some of the very serious problems our society faces. And when the solutions seem so obvious to me (or at least the direction seems obvious), it’s so frustrating when others don’t seem to see it.
I think I’m honestly at peace with the fact that things are only going to get worse.
Maybe that’s a horrible thing to say, but I don’t think so.
I believe that I used to put too much faith in politics and in government and in the political process. If only we had good government, if only we had certain policies, if only people voted the right way, we could start to fix these problems.
I’ve now realized that people are never going to vote the right way.
Like John Adams said, a functioning democracy depends upon a moral foundation, and we no longer have that.
Our education system is so bad and our moral foundation is so far gone that we will never again raise people in large numbers who can discern well and make good choices.
And so we’re back to the position the early church was in.
They knew that their citizenship was not here and that government could not save them. They knew that the solution to racism, to poverty, to fatherlessness, to crime lay with them, not with government.
Perhaps God is calling us back to that again. We cannot change this country by government fiat. It’s too broken because the voters are too broken.
While I believe that we must still vote for good government, and stand up for the rights of the oppressed, and try to make a difference in the political sphere, I also realize that this is a battle that we will fundamentally lose, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be. We’re told that in Scripture. We’re not supposed to look for our salvation here. We’re simply supposed to shine the light, and love our neighbours, and do what we can while we wait for the real solutions that only God can bring.
My mom and I were talking last night, and I said, “You have to believe that God is over this whole election and doing something really interesting, but there’s no way we could have had two such absolutely reprehensible candidates by accident.” I’ve been reading the prophet Jeremiah lately, and it’s amazing the parallels with corrupt governments and years in captivity and in the wilderness.
God is over this. He is doing something. And maybe one of the things He’s doing is to teach us, as Christians, not to rely on government to fix the problems around us, because government was never going to do it anyway. In the last few decades I think the church has gotten off track by tying itself too much to politics and not enough to just loving our neighbours. We need to find the right balance again. And I think, in the end, it will be a balance that is much easier to live with.
This week at To Love, Honor and Vacuum I want to talk about the legacy that we are leaving our children.
Yesterday I told you about my 25th anniversary party. My daughter Rebecca gave a speech there, and talked about how the biggest stability in her life has always been her dad and me. Knowing that we would always be together, that we would always be sickeningly in love, gave her a foundation even when she was anxious. And it taught her to see God as stable, too.
That is something that will be with her no matter who is Prime Minister (or President). It is something that will tide her over when Canadians vote almost solely based on someone’s hair and last name (am I letting my biases show?). It is something that will keep her grounded even if the economy collapses and people are in chaos again.
So to my American friends, please vote, because it’s a tremendous gift.
I’ve told you who I prefer, but honestly–I completely understand not being able to vote that way, and I will not judge you for it at all (and I hope that you will not judge me for my opinion!). But to all of us, let’s never, ever put our faith in government again. And let’s take this episode as a reminder that this world is not our home, but we have been given the task of caring for it until Jesus returns. Let’s take that task seriously, rather than pawning it off as “the government’s job.”
What do you think? Has this election caused you to reconsider how you see politics and our role as Christians? (And please, let’s not get nasty in the comments about who to vote for! They both really are terrible, and deciding that one just can’t support him or her is a perfectly legitimate viewpoint.
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Sheila Wray Gregoire has been married for 29 years and happily married for 24! She loves traveling around North America with her hubby in their RV, giving her signature "Girl Talk" about sex and marriage. And she's written 7 books. About sex and marriage. See a theme here? Plus she knits. Even in line at the grocery store.
I am not defending Trump, except against the rape (and even sexual harassment) thing. That is almost certainly a hoax coordinated by the Clinton campaign (she fast-tracked the visa for that Venezuelan beauty queen despite her dubious connections to two attempted murders and being the moll of a Mexican drug lord).
Don’t get me wrong, I am all on board with the “Trump lacks decency” charge. But, Bill Clinton has had credible and long-standing allegations of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment, in combination with a rapacious sexual appetite. For all of his many (many, many, so many) faults, including sexual sins, Trump has never previously been accused of any violence or harassment.
That’s a good point, and I honestly haven’t been following it that closely (except for headlines) because it was just getting too sordid.
But I will say that no matter what Trump did, whether the accusations are real or not, Clinton has done worse. We know Bill Clinton was on Epstein’s island and we’ve known that for years. So even if Trump did do everything they said he did, Bill Clinton still did more, so that shouldn’t affect anyone’s vote since it’s a wash. We still wouldn’t want Clinton in the White House again.
It’s the comments in his own voice that got to me the most. Accusations I don’t put much stock in really. But the other things are very damning, and I think that we should just be open about it and own it.
I just cannot agree that Trumps rape allegations are irrelevant to the election because Clinton is married to Bill. We have no real idea what goes on under the surface of that marriage.
I also think that, unrelated to rape allegations, Trump normalizises and legitimizes sexual assault and misogyny in a way that is dangerous for society. I think it has far more impact than any rape or harassment than either he or Bill Clinton has committed directly.
That’s an interesting thought, too. But isn’t the argument itself kind of surreal? Which is worse: normalizing misogyny by talking about it, or being a hypocrite by standing up for women’s rights and then destroying any woman who comes forward with a rape allegation. Which is worse: saying that you respect women but then having an “affair” (it was really sexual assault since a 19-year-old can’t consent in that situation) with an intern, or acting like you don’t respect women but then promoting them in your company?
The fact that we’re even talking about this is JUST SO DEPRESSING. Really, Democrats and Republicans? This is the best you could come up with? Oh, dear.
Ugh, I hate the argument that “he/she did it too, so there fore it shouldn’t count” but don’t you feel that you are willfully ignoring so many pieces of evidence that also suggest the Trump would be the end of the rule of law? He’s never been convicted of a criminal offence, but he’s settled many civil cases out of court. He’s had close ties with organized crime, etc. If the end of the rule of law means the law no longer applies to everyone, I think Donald Trump’s life shows that in the US justice system if you’re rich and powerful the law does not apply to you nearly the same way as if you’re poor and less powerful.
Oh, I totally agree. Like I said, I won’t defend Donald. I think the man is reprehensible. I just think that with the current situation with Hillary’s involvement with the Clinton Foundation scandal and the FBI investigation, and how that’s been handled, it shows that justice is no longer blind in the country, and that’s really, really scary. And I do think that that’s far more on one side than the other, since with the Clintons it goes right to the top. But, yes, I think Donald has tried to skirt the law many times, too.
Uh, yeah, actually, I do reject the notion that Trump would end the rule of law simply because there’s no evidence that he would. It comes down to dubious and last-minute charges of sexual harassment and creative tax accounting — he’s not accused of anything that I guarantee every single billionaire or CEO in America could also be accused of.
But Clinton was funneling hundreds of millions of dollars from Libya, Russia, China, and various cartels through the Clinton Foundation while she was secretary of state; mishandled classified information; and has attacked victims of violent assault. (Side note, she was kicked off the Nixon investigative team because of corruption and dishonesty.) It’s just so flagrantly in violation of the law, with numerous people in government backing her up. Her email dumps even called it a “shadow government.” And the same James Comey investigating her now is the James Comey who cleared her and her husband of selling a pardon to Marc Rich in 2001. Trump won’t have all of the levers of government and media helping him commit crimes; Hillary will.
And, seriously, how did we come to this? 🙁
I completely agree with this reader. Yes, I’m not thrilled with Trump, but at the point, it’s the platform and not the person I’m voting for. I do however believe a lot that has been “uncovered” lately is the workings of the Democratic party to lie so Hillary can gain more ground (the dems usual tactics it seems). And it’s so crazy how the media is so leftist in their reporting and grabs hold of the lies, yet anything bad about Hillary is immediately covered up so as not to tarnish her. It’s ridiculous and I’m so thankful this is only my temporary home.
Yep.
Yes he has, he had a current court case of child rape DURING THE ELECTION. Trump has abused many women. Bill Clinton wasn’t running. It was either Hillary Clinton (love her or hate her) and a guy who has raped a teenager. I mean, come on.
I also used to be so upset at election time. But as I’ve worked through my own junk, I realized that my own grief over politics was a lack of trust in God. I had to go door to door and work on campaigns because I felt responsible for everything. Everything that is good to do, I had to do or else I wasn’t good enough to be loved by God. Now I’m not saying we shouldn’t work on campaigns or serve in politics. I’m just saying that my motivation for doing those things wasn’t a good one. Now that I’m accepting that God loves me for the fact that I’m his daughter and not for what I do, it frees me up to do what he calls me to in that season. And this season isn’t about politics for me. And that’s okay. I’ll still vote and I’ll still pray. But my focus for this season is to do what I can to be loving and graceful to others on a simple and personal level. I just started attending a church where their focus is understanding the gospel and living it out. And one way they do that is racial reconciliation. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. The problems in our countries won’t be solved by government policies, they can be solved one person at a time when gods people love well everyone around them. And that can mean speaking truth. But where I used to feel an obligation for getting everyone to agree with me. Now I am learning to seek to understand before I seek to be understood. And I can do that more because I now know that God understands me and accepts me.
I don’t know who will win next week or what the fallout will me. But I have experienced grace so powerfully in my heart lately. And the giver of that grace can do so in all things and even in the midst of political turmoil. I have great hope – not that things won’t be difficult but in that no matter how difficult, God will hold me close and walk me step by step.
Thank you Sheila for this post and for speaking truth in love. And for a good example of how to share your opinion while still giving grace to those who may disagree.
Gwen, exactly!: “my own grief over politics was a lack of trust in God.” Yes. This is exactly how I feel. And truly–things are just so WEIRD that I figure God must be doing something really big, don’t you think? We just can’t see it right now.
But the real solution is to focus what’s in our control, which is how we act to others. I love it!
So so right! Good words for right now.
You are on point with what God is speaking to and convicting a lot Christians about… right after the election the Lord laid this exact issue on my heart and this is what it translated to in my morning journaling. Sorry it’s such a long read but hope it resonates the heart of God and what he’s been saying to you, Sheila, and many others.
This election has been a volatile one; a roller coaster ride with unknown twists and turns. One thing I’ve learned through this process is that people do not like abrupt change! Change for most brings uncertainty and uncertainty is a gateway for fear to take over. Fear then causes people to panic and lash out! They feel out of control!
Why are so many people up in arms right now? Why are they acting as though they are fighting for their lives? As Christians what are we to do during these tumultuous times?
The Bible makes our task very clear:
1. Remember who God is and that He dwells with us!
Psalm 46:1-2-” God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change…”
Psalm 46:6-7- ” The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered…the lord of hosts is with us.”
2. Do not fear!
Isaiah 41:10- ” So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 46:10- “Be still and know that I am God.”
3. Be glad in adversity!
Psalm 46:3-4 “Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. …There is a river whose streams made glad the city of God.”
James 1:2-3-“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that your faith produces endurance.”
4. Be a reflection of God’s peace and strength!
Psalm 46:5-” God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.”
Matthew 5:14-16- ” You are a light of the world. A city set on a hill that cannot be hidden…let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Remember that the only difference between “us and them” is that we have a hope that they don’t know or understand. We need to extend that hope to them. As Christians we need to exemplify God’s power and grace. We do this by first understanding to our very core that He is in control! As others run around in a panic we need to be a beacon in the night. As moths to a flame, the people will be drawn in to the security that is our good Father.
By remembering these four important commands we become a testimony of God’s power through us. Our biggest challenge isn’t in who “we support” or take sides with but it’s in how we reflect God’s character through all of this.
So I challenge Christians to know their place! I challenge them to take their thoughts captive. I challenge them to bridle their tongues. I challenge them to control their actions. Do not let fear and division win the day!
“And so we’re back to the position the early church was in.
They knew that their citizenship was not here and that government could not save them. They knew that the solution to racism, to poverty, to fatherlessness, to crime lay with them, not with government.”
I am so much agreement with this!! Early in the primaries, I looked at the Republicans and knew that for the first time in my 30 years (gasp!) of voting, I was not going to vote Republican. I think my exact words were, “I don’t care who the Libertarian candidate is; that’s who I’m voting for.” I’ve always been conservative, and so as the Democrats have moved farther and farther left, I just can’t. But, this former Tea Party conservative watched the Republicans move farther and farther right while engaging in the same name-calling, demonizing, dehumanizing, and conspiracy theory that they decried the left for. I eventually realized that I (like I think the majority of Americans actually are) am just a moderate. Conservative on some things, liberal on others. And as long as the Republicans and Democrats cater/pander to the far ends of their base, we are going to have an increasingly ineffective government because no one is willing to compromise for the overall good.
That all said, as Christians our hope is in Jesus Christ and Him alone. We aren’t ever going to change culture through government, and never have. I firmly believe that we can do the greatest good when we are NOT the majority culture because the comfort of being majority culture has made us crave comfort and become complacent. For me, I had to decide in every area of my life whether I really, REALLY trust Jesus or am I seeking hope/comfort in the world. And I have to make this decision every single day, and sometimes multiple times a day that I will trust Jesus no matter what. Which isn’t to say I make the right choice every time. But I’ve read the end of the book. The Light is winning. Jesus won on the cross. I will keep turning back to him because he said that in this world we will have trouble, but not to fear because he has overcome the world. 🙂
Wonderful comment, Dragonlady! Thank you.
Well, growing up in South Africa I have a very deep distrust of government. If you want anything done, you need to do it yourself. Government just wants to screw you over. That has been my opinion since middle school. I also have a very strong, fundamental belief in total depravity. Maybe the astronomically high violent crime rate in South Africa had something to do with it. Deep down in my bones I believe that fundamentally, humans are neither smart nor good. I also know that you can manage to keep a semblance of orderly society even with no/ minimal cops, massive corruption and utterly inefficient government.
So I came to America with Libertarian leanings. (I was also born in America, but only lived here as a baby). I’ve watched the primaries with some interest and was very confused by the Trump support. Especially the claim of “evangelical support”. Upon further inspection, the “evangelicals” who support Trump are the same “evangelicals” that have the higher than culture divorce rate. That is, the Christmas and Easter, never read their Bibles and never pray, God-bless-America “Christians”. So it’s not quite as bad as all that. Not all of the Christians have lost their minds. This election has just revealed what the rest of the world knew all along. American in NOT a Christian nation. It hasn’t been for a long time. Christian nations do not produce like 80% of the worlds porn and release movies like Deadpool and 50 Shades of Grey on Valentine’s day (for example).
I am also very saddened by this election. But God is still in control. Maybe he is using this and the ISIS mess to call the world back to him. Europeans are also having their comfy, utterly secular world shaken. We are about to have ours shaken one way or the other. And apparently great things are happening with the Middle Eastern church.
I’m still not voting for either of these people. I refuse to waste my vote on either crooked and corrupt or morally disgusting individuals. Either Gary Johnson or that Evan McMullin fellow for me. The latter has great support in Utah. Apparently those people still have their heads screwed on straight. I still have to go over their platforms again. About the best we can hope for is neither candidate getting to 270 electoral votes and congress picking the president. You’d better believe I’ll be voting Republican for the Senate races. We need someone to keep Hilary in check.
Oh, how depressing that this is your first election as an American! 🙁 I think your perspective on government is likely a healthy one, though. We need to take responsibility for our own communities, and often other countries understand that better because they have a history of having to do things for themselves without relying on government.
I think your last 2 sentences are key. Yes, which person gets the presidency is important. But its far, far more important who is in congress and also who is in your state legislature.
A president can’t establish laws. He can’t even propose them – he has to get a member of congress to do it for him. He can veto, but he can’t override it like congress can. He can nominate judges, cabinet members, etc, but he can’t approve them. He can’t declare war unilaterally. He can propose treaties and budgets, but not make them into law.
Of course, we’ve seen numerous presidents “get around” some stuff like this with executive orders and such, but none of it is permanent.
Congress can introduce laws, and establish them. They can override vetos. They can prevent nominations. They can declare war. They approve treaties and budgets.
You only have to see the last 8 years to see what an opposing congress can do with gridlock. But, if there is a good, solid majority (like there is in the House but not in the Senate), it really doesn’t matter who is in the White House. They are essentially a “lame duck”.
State government is often the same. The Governor is important, yes, but the legislature is far far more so.
All I can say is: Vote, for whomever you wish. Just remember that we as a people are responsible for who we put there.
I really like your perspective on politics and how this is not our way to salvation. Kind of horrifying though to see the choices available as they are reflecting what is truly happening in society…
It is true that the real key to change in society actually lies with each individual believer taking their call seriously. The call to pray for the government and the call to love and give (especially to the poor and weak of the society like orphans and widows) and spread the gospel. The change comes from the bottom up through a people who honor God, so the glory is His!
Absolutely!
God is in control and has everything worked out. #whatareyouworriedabout
Yay! Absolutely. 🙂
My thoughts are that you say that Donald Trump represents the end of decency as we know it – I would argue that lying and hiding things and manipulative is also the end of decency as well. Decency isn’t just defined as moral, polite and showing respect to others. Also included in the definition is “moral and honest behavior”. We are at a sad time in America.
Yep. But I wonder if perhaps one of the sadder things is that we expected more? I’m not sure the early Christians did. That’s what I’ve really been thinking. I mean, in Roman times a horse was actually elected to the Senate (Insert joke here about how a horse would be better than many current Senators). Anyway, I think we’ve just had the luxury for the last few hundred years of expecting a government to be good and that’s made us rely on the government for more instead of expecting ourselves to make the difference. That’s just where my thoughts are going lately.
Debbie I think you’re right. So many people don’t like his manners, but I find his speech much like listening to a general Patton or McAurthur. Of course I don’t like public use of foul language or bawdy flirtation either but compared to the mild mannered mobster on the left… (did anyone hear about Seth Rich, killed while walking to the FBI?) the list of seriously BAD stuff goes on and on. His deeds pale in comparison to the scale at which she has wrought havoc. In the era of quid-pro-quo and crony capitalism I don’t think we can underestimate the importance of a self-funded campaign either. Hillary is flat out owned. And so far Trump has picked some great co-leaders.
I tell my Christian and conservative and libertarian friends—if you can’t vote (R) for Trump, vote for Trump for the Supreme Court. THAT ALONE will make a huge impact on our lives and our children’s lives…. and on the ability for us to live free and share the Gospel!!!
I think (and it’s okay to disagree of course) like Sheila, that we have a moral obligation to vote for the person who will preserve freedom “better” than the other. People died for our right. Since I am decidedly not a socialist, I also feel that a vote for 3rd party is equivalent to inviting socialism to take over more of our lives than it already has. Sorry I’m not defending any person–but this is how I approach it, so I’m not afraid to support Trump.
Very much agree. Especially with this: “And so far Trump has picked some great co-leaders.” Yep!
You are sooooo right. I’m voting for Trump, primarily for the Supreme Court. But I can’t stand how Christians, including very conservative Christians keep defending him.
My parents, brother, and I have always agreed and voted the same way ever since my brother and I could vote. Not this year! Everyone is so torn about the right thing to do. As I said, I’m voting for Trump. My dad is looking into 3rd party candidates. My mom was considering not voting because she couldn’t stomach either major candidate, but she wrote someone in along with my brother. And we all still love and respect each other!
People that vote 3rd party really get put down sometimes. They get accused of throwing away their vote. But if everyone had the guts to vote for the person they really believe would be better, we wouldn’t be stuck with this 2 -party system that’s so disappointing sometimes.
My brother proposed a thought experiment in a facebook argument. He asked who people would vote for in an election of Hitler vs. Stalin. One person said Stalin because they didn’t think he killed as many people as Hitler (which is wrong), then said he wouldn’t vote for Winston Churchill if he would only get 1 percent of the votes. Just…wow! We can be thankful neither of these candidates come close to the level of evil of these 2 men in history. But really interesting thought!
I’ll be writing in Evan McMullin, despite the many people telling me how I’m wasting my vote, or “a vote 3rd party is a vote for Trump”, and “a vote 3rd party is a vote for Hilary.” Its the only choice my conscience allows me to feel good about.
I am voting for Trump because I feel he’s a kind of “pox on both their houses” kind of vote — but I have voted Libertarian or Constitution Party in 2004, 2008, and 2012. I just couldn’t hold my nose hard enough to vote Republican and I was lucky enough to find third party candidates which were pro-life.
I totally get it, and I support (for what it’s worth) your decision to vote third party. You have to vote your conscience.
Sheila, both are awful, but I am voting on the issue of who will protect the rights of Christian’s and churches to keep preaching the gospel, teaching the Bible and living by their consciences. And one candidate has made it clear over the years that she does not support this but will push her totalitarian ideas on all of us.
I pray that our leaders will permit us to “lead squirt and peaceable life.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). I have a chance of that with one but not the other. So done gods grace permits me a day in my government I will vote that way.
Sorry for autocorrect mistakes. I’ standing in line at Walmart. 🙂
“Lead a quiet and peaceable life” it should say. And that since God’s grace permits me a say in my government, I will vote that way.
Amen. Vote to preserve the supreme court.
Right on to everything you said, Sheila! I’m planning on voting third party or write in for president. My dad and I have had some heated discussions (extremely pro-Trump), but I cannot of my own conscience vote for such a dishonest and corrupt person (this includes Hillary). Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are both two sides of the same coin, both corrupt in one way or another. My biggest issue with Trump is that he has been such a huge flip-flop on the issues over the years, and who can say whether he does what he says he will do? We have no guarantee that he will pick good people for our Supreme Court or any other office, and based on his character and behavior, he will not get a vote from me. :/ I’m very sad for my children’s future, and I wish this were a different election. 🙁 thankfully, God is still in control, even if our nation is getting exactly what it deserves.
Thank you for this article! i just posted a newspaper’s refusal to endorse either candidate because the editorial board thought they were both awful. I completely understood it. I’ve had one friend say, but, Clinton raised all this money for AIDS children in Africa and another who said she just disagreed with what the newspaper editorial said about Clinton. I’m not sure that intelligent people are allowed to disagree w/ facts, but I don’t get into political arguments online. I will vote. This is without doubt the worst choice of candidates I’ve ever had the opportunity to vote for/against. I would dearly love an opportunity to vote for none of the above and please go back and find someone worthwhile, but alas, I don’t have that choice.
I know! It reminds me of Vegas at the blackjack table when the dealer makes a mistake, and everyone hands in their cards for a redeal. I feel like we need to hand all the candidates back in and have a redeal!
I’m holding my nose and voting for Trump. Ugh. At least with Trump we have a chance that the Supreme Court Nominees will be decent. With Hillary it’s pretty much a done deal that she would appoint people that would hurt our religious freedoms in our country.
I think what you wrote was completely spot on. Let’s look to God in faith instead of looking to our government to save us.
IN MY OPINION: IF AND ONLY IF THE PEOPLE REALLY GOT THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND LISTENED TO DR. BEN CARSON, AS THE PROPER CANDIDATE, WE. WOULDN´T. BE. IN. THIS. MESS…………
I´M REALLY DISGUSTED 🙁
After reading your post, I did some ‘research’ on the election, and the very first link I clicked on had this gem
”
The thinking behind this is that both the presidential candidates are so unpopular that continuing to wheel them out only reminds voters how much they hate them.
So instead you roll out more popular public figures to sing the praises of the presidential candidates.
The simple fact of the matter in this election is that polls show voters resoundingly disapprove of both candidates.
This is not so much a popularity contest as an unpopularity contest, and for today at least, Hillary Clinton is even more unpopular than Donald Trump”.
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/world/2016/11/02/06/42/us-election-campaign-diary-7-days-to-go#Lks0IorMoUKAgQYI.99
This was talking about Hillary not doing many public appearances, and Bill, Chelsea and Obama doing public appearances in support of her instead.
Maybe now is the time to take up the Proverbs 31 way and ‘Laugh at the days to come’ – after all, if we’re not laughing at this absurdity, we’d be crying. I think you are right that we just need to trust that God will use whatever the outcome of the election for His glory, and that His ways are higher than ours, and we may not understand them!
Thank you for your post- while I can’t In good conscience vote for Clinton or Trump, I can appreciate where you’re coming from. I largely see this election as a matter of the heart. If a Christian says, “ugh, yes, Trump is terrible but he’s the lesser of two evils, so I will begrudgingly vote for him” I can appreciate that sooooo much more than a Christian who actively campaigns for him and sweeps all his faults under the rug and declare them as “lies perpetrated from the Clinton camp”. I am saddened by the divisiveness this has caused between brothers and sisters in Christ.
I look at it this way — elections are never about the “most perfect candidate”. The perfect candidate only exists in our minds (kind of like the “perfect spouse”). Even the best of our candidates are flawed and sometimes deeply flawed. All of us who know Christ are flawed even though the Holy Spirit lives inside of us and is producing fruits of the spirit within us: that’s the mystery of holiness. The Apostle Paul had to let go of the fact that he couldn’t atone for his atrocious past which included dragging off believers and then torturing and killing them. He had to relinquish the idea that he could atone for his own errors and rest in Christ’s righteousness. Anyone who runs for office and names the name of Christ is going to have to come to grips with this truth because we all have a “record”.
I should point out that child rape charges against Donald Trump and Bill Clinton have not been verified or confirmed — it’s all hearsay. Undoubtably both of these men have philandered and acosted women in the past and with Bill Clinton, it has been confirmed with sworn court depositions.
What is not as widely known is that Hillary has been an adulteress as well as Bill being an adulterer — they’ve had an open marriage for years. Bill has had relationships and and liaisons with numerous women and Hillary has cheated with both men and women in a bi-sexual manner. One of Bill’s former mistresses, Gennifer Flowers, quoted him saying that Hillary has been with more women in her lifetime than he had. She’s had affairs and cheated on Bill for sure with Vince Foster and Web Hubbell (former state Supreme Court judge from Arkansas). By the way, Bill Clinton is not even the birth father of Chelsea — Web Hubbell is. If you look closely at Chelsea, you’ll notice that she looks like Hillary but nothing like Bill. Then compare her picture to Web Hubbell’s and you’ll see the resemblance. Have you read that in the mainstream news media anywhere or on Wikipedia? (I don’t think so).
What does this all mean? The truth is that both of these candidates have been liars and cheaters in their pasts. For all of we know, the Libertarian and Green Party candidates could have the very same flaws. Which brings us back to this election:
I voted for Trump in both the primaries and the general election (my husband voted for Ted Cruz in the primary but voted for Trump in the general election). I’m not supporting Mr. Trump because he is morally flawless — I’m supporting him because I like his ideas and the fact that he respects the rule of law. I also make a stark distinction about what a candidate does in office versus what they did as a private citizen. An elected official is held to a much higher standard because of their public oath to protect and defend the Constitution and serve the people. On that basis, I have far fewer criticisms of DonaldTrump because he’s never held office before.
My biggest worry about the Clintons is that their lifetime habit of skirting laws and ethics while in office will encourage other elected officials to do the same (both Democrats and Republicans). They’ve had an undeniably corrosive effect on American politics.
Make no mistake about it: if Hillary Clinton is elected, it will perpetuate a constitutional crisis in this country because she will be indicted. Our nation cannot afford such a debacle.
Thank you Sheila! You said what I have been feeling for months now, but haven’t been able to put into words!!
However, I cannot, in good conscience, vote for either of these candidates. Trump has made too many contradictory statements – I have no idea where he REALLY stands on major issues, or what his real “plan” is to improve things. I have no idea if he TRULY represents his so-called party’s platform. (After all, he was a Democrat and Clinton supporter in another time.) Thus, I am focusing my attention on those running for Congress, and for my state government.
I know a third-party candidate cannot win, but my heart tells me to vote on principle, and so I will write in another less-than-perfect candidate, Evan McMullin. (Please look him up if you haven’t heard of him!) Change has to begin somewhere. We may not see it this election year, but perhaps 4, 8, 12 years from now we will see something different, something better, for our country.
I’ve just learned I am to become a Grandma for the first time, and my concern is for that little one and her/his future. We have to change. We have to get back to our Constitutional roots. For the sake of the future, and for our children and grandchildren. We cannot sit back and allow our nation to be destroyed.
Ah, YES! Welcome to my world! I think we are screwed with either of these candidates and for anyone to vote for neither the republican or the democrat you are just wasting your vote – the others will not win. Both Hillary and Donald have evil sides to them but don’t we all? We all are sinners but most of us have never gone to the extremes that they have so it’s easy to see the bad. I’m not excusing either one but it is exactly like you said it’s who they bring with them. It’s who they put into position in all those very important roles. Do we want a more lawless nation? Because if people vote for Hillary that’s exactly what they are going to get. For me, Donald is a wild card, we don’t know his definite stand on some things and that makes it scary but he could be bringing in some good players to fill the important seats. We do know how Hillary wants to control things and it’s not God’s way. Any ways, no matter who is elected we are all looking at a downward spiral to our way of living here in America and I believe across the world. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5, this is where America is as a nation – lovers of themselves, lovers of money, arrogant, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, no self-control, conceited, and so much more. This is where we have come as a nation and the leaders who we have been produced because of it. I’m voting for Trump not because I think he will be a great leader but because I think he will bring good leaders with him to hopefully uphold our constitution. We live amongst blind people who only see what they choose to see and only hear what they choose to hear. God have mercy on us, though we don’t deserve it.
My 2 cents, Clintons trump are not our only choices, what if everyone who didn’t like them voted for someone else!
Well said Sheila, there really is no one “good” to vote for. I live in the UK and our political situation is in similar turmoil. Leaving the EU without a clear strategy, demonising refugees and immigrants. Not to mention increasing the rate of national poverty by slashing benefits without increasing opportunities. This is the 3rd or 4th time I have heard references to wilderness scriptures in relation to politics, and although I want to run and hide, I do believe that God is asking Christians to make the wilderness their home at this time. Plant our roots, build our temples, give our children in marriage, help to spread the word of the Lord. It’s not easy, but someone has to do it!
Yep! The wilderness it is!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Sheila. I pretty much loathe politics to begin with, and this year in particular has been so brutal. There’s just been so much nastiness on both sides, including among my Christian friends, that I actually ended up leaving Facebook until it’s over. (Other than a politics free sewing group on there.) I live in a very Democratic state where I know Hilary is going to take all, and can’t stomach voting for Trump either. So I’m personally going for whatever third party my state allows on the ballot, since my research indicates that actual write ins really are thrown away here. Thank God that He knows what’s going on here, because I truly am grieving that my kids are going to have to grow up in the mess that’s coming either way.
Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see how Clinton is against the rule of law? Trump has boasted about his illegal doings– sexual harassment/assault, tax evasion, shady financial practices. That doesn’t demonstrate any respect for the rule of law, IMO.
I’m a Christian, and on Tuesday, I’ll proudly be voting for one of the most qualified candidates for the US presidency we’ve ever seen. I have no fear for my religious freedoms, because I don’t think that practicing my religion should infringe on anyone else’s choices!
I must say, I was really surprised at this post Sheila. I get that you dislike both candidates, but I really can’t fathom how you get to the conclusion that if Hillary is elected, it will be the end of the rule of law in the US. Do you honestly believe that, and if so, how and in what way?
I think you usually argue really well for your statements, and I respect you greatly. I especially loved your recent rant posts.
Did you know that less then 10% of Americans voted these two candidates into the running? SO MANY PEOPLE DON’T VOTE! If everyone who is eligible to vote, and usually doesn’t, would get their butts up and vote, we actually COULD elect a third party candidate into office. But people are so hung up on having to pick between two primary party candidates, even when both are so evil. Mainstream media doesn’t talk about 3rd party candidates, because A) mainstream media is largely controlled by liberal corporations and B) it’s not salacious enough to get them the high ratings they want. So they make it seem that we only have two options. That you must pick the lesser of two evils. Media has everyone convinced that third party is a “wasted” vote. But if everyone who things that both candidates are despicable would instead vote independent instead of not voting at all or instead of choosing between republican and democratic nominees, we could see a change! Refuse to play the two party game! Don’t compromise your Christian values by putting your support behind anyone who is so blatantly and apologetically evil.
Wow thank you for the article! It takes guts to write something like this in these times. We (I) needed the reminder that we can’t rely on the government to fix things. Yes, we should fight for justice and love our neighbors and shine our lights, because at the end of the day we already know how it’s going to end. Things will only get worse as far as corruption goes. And we shouldn’t feel pressured to endorse one candidate over the other because at the end of the day wrong is wrong. There isn’t a “lesser” wrong in God’s eyes. He wants every choice we make to reflect His character and governing principles
Again, thanks for educating us!
I think the point about how Christians shouldn’t openly defend Trump could’ve definitely applied to Clinton just as much if not more so. In my immediate circle, I had VERY few Christian friends who were enthusiastic Trump supporters. They were voting for him reluctantly because they considered him to be the lesser of two evils. And yet I didn’t see anyone on the other side reluctantly voting for Clinton in the same way. It seemed like everyone i knew who supported her thought she was God’s gift to America. So, yes, God doesn’t like racism, misogyny, etc. But may I also point out that He is equally against corruption, lying, murder, scandals, cover ups….I could go on…
Yes, I would totally agree.