Well, it’s really more complex than that. I can’t eliminate sin. I take positive action (voting) to try and reduce it. All sin makes one fall short of salvation, but all sin is not the same in this age. Some sins have a more serious impact than others.
I know it seems like I’m compromising my values. Let’s make the distinction clearer. Let’s say the Republican is an unrepentant drunk but he’s pro-life and pro-marriage (gay “marriage” isn’t marriage). Do I withhold my vote because he’s a sinner?
Let’s say the Republican is pro-life but wobbly on gay marriage. The Democrat, on the other hand, is adamantly pro-abort and gay rights. Do I sit it out because my candidate isn’t good enough?
I’m talking only about general elections here—not primaries. In primaries, I’m obviously going to support the person who best fits my morality. I’m not talking about that. I’m saying we’re in a general election season where the only options are bad or worse. What if the worse is very, very bad. Sit it out?
It really isn’t complex at all. Upthread I believe you also said it’s not black-and-white. Well, it is.
That verse behind your Freep name isn’t vague nor open to interpretation. Look-—I’m not telling you what to do nor how to vote. But I would think that someone who promotes the crystal clarity of such doctrine would also understand my points.
And I don’t think you can compare the murder of innocents to a problem with drink.
As I said, you do what you want, but I have my own standing with God to think about, and I’m not saying that to come across as holier-than-thou. I caved in 2012 and voted for Romney, and I experienced a, shall we say, personal spiritual crisis as a result.
I learned a tough lesson. I won’t endanger my relationship with God for a political candidate again. I’ll take all the flak that comes my way for that, but it’s not going to change my stance.