[WhatNot]

I believe that one of the reasons Evangelicals tended to stay away from the polling place in 2000, was that they felt betrayed by the first President Bush. In his election to office, Evangelicals banded together and put George H.W Bush into office. In 2000 they were not convinced that Bush's son would be any more conservative then his father was, so they stayed home.

At this year's GOP convention, anti-gay marriage and anti-abortion messages, were not included in prime-time speeches. However, I pray that in these years following the Clinton Presidency, Evangelicals now realize, that voting or (not voting) strickly on single issues such as these, does not necessarily further the conservative social agenda. I hope at this point in the game, evangelical leaders are not only tuned in and informing themselves, but also doing what 1 Peter 5:1-4 says, "Shepard the flock of God among you, exercising oversight." Informing their flocks about where God stands on the important issues, can do more to defeat Kerry than anything else that happens in the next few weeks.

[unspun]

At this year's GOP convention, anti-gay marriage and anti-abortion messages, were not included in prime-time speeches. However, I pray that in these years following the Clinton Presidency, Evangelicals now realize, that voting or (not voting) strickly on single issues such as these, does not necessarily further the conservative social agenda. I hope at this point in the game, evangelical leaders are not only tuned in and informing themselves, but also doing what 1 Peter 5:1-4 says, "Shepard the flock of God among you, exercising oversight." Informing their flocks about where God stands on the important issues, can do more to defeat Kerry than anything else that happens in the next few weeks.

Thanks for your insightful post and the reminder of the disappointment with Bush-41. I have a few comments to make about it.

At this year's GOP Convention, abortion and the defense of marriage were spoken of in prime time -- by President Bush, himself, though the dangerious likes of Giuliani and other social moderates and liberals took up the bulk of prime time, Zell Miller aside.

If evangelicals were voting upon the priority of the issues (for the Right to Life and the defense of the basic building block of society which is marriage, for instance) they would have voted for Bush-41 each time and for Bush-43, the last and this time. Voting based upon pervasive and overriding issues is the best voting, whether one counts one or more of them.

I agree with the imperative of pastors to train Christians according to their political responsibilities, among them all. However, Christians need to let the LORD Himself train themselves to heed His Word, whatever pastors say.