When faced with the decision of voting for a political candidate, Christians often grapple with the challenge of balancing moral, ethical, and policy-related concerns. This is because the complexities of political choices and human behavior are rarely black and white.
The Importance of Moral and Ethical Considerations
Christian teachings emphasize the importance of moral and ethical behavior. For instance, Proverbs 12:22 states, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy,” underscoring the significance of honesty. Similarly, the call to humility is evident in Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Evaluating a candidate’s personal character, including their truthfulness, humility, and integrity, is crucial.
Donald Trump’s Personal Conduct
Donald Trump’s personal conduct has been a point of contention. Numerous fact-checking organizations have documented over 30,000 false or misleading statements made by Trump during his presidency, highlighting issues with truthfulness, a core Christian value​ (The Independent)​. Additionally, Trump’s public persona often reflects pride and boastfulness, contrary to the Christian virtue of humility. His administration faced accusations of racial insensitivity and actions that worsened race relations in the United States. Studies indicate that race relations deteriorated during his tenure, with a significant portion of Americans attributing this decline to his rhetoric and policies​ (Miller Center)​​ (Brookings)​​ (Pew Research Center)​​ (PolitiFact)​.
Joe Biden’s Personal Conduct
Joe Biden’s stance on abortion is a significant concern for many evangelical voters. Biden supports a woman’s right to choose, which conflicts with the pro-life position held by many Christians who believe that life begins at conception and see abortion as contrary to the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Furthermore, Biden supports same-sex marriage, which many traditional Christians believe contradicts Biblical teachings on marriage being between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). These stances raise concerns about upholding traditional family values.
Policy-Related Concerns
While personal morality is crucial, the policies a candidate supports also significantly impact society. For instance, many Christians prioritize the pro-life stance, seeing it as aligned with the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Additionally, issues like social justice, care for the poor, and religious freedom are also deeply rooted in Christian teachings. The Bible repeatedly calls for justice and compassion, as seen in Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Donald Trump’s Policies
Trump’s policies and rhetoric have also been criticized for exacerbating social and political divisions. His approach to immigration, characterized by measures such as family separations at the border, has been seen as harsh and lacking in compassion for the marginalized, which conflicts with Biblical teachings on caring for the needy and oppressed (Matthew 25:35-40). Furthermore, his administration’s immigration policies were criticized for being harsh and discriminatory​ (Miller Center)​​ (Brookings)​.
Joe Biden’s Policies
While Biden has worked on criminal justice reform, his past support for policies that contributed to mass incarceration, particularly of African American communities, remains a controversial issue. Critics argue that these policies have had long-term detrimental effects on minority communities​ (Brookings)​. There are also apprehensions among some Christians that Biden’s policies might limit religious freedoms, especially for those holding traditional views on marriage and gender. These concerns stem from broader debates about the balance between anti-discrimination laws and religious liberties.
The Complexity of Political Decisions
Political decisions often involve complex trade-offs. A candidate might align with Christian values in some areas while diverging in others. For example, Donald Trump’s policies on religious freedom and opposition to abortion appeal to many Christians, but his personal conduct and rhetoric on racial issues raise significant concerns​ (The Independent)​​ (Miller Center)​​ (Brookings)​. Conversely, Joe Biden’s support for abortion and same-sex marriage conflicts with traditional Christian teachings, but his focus on social justice and healthcare might resonate with other Christian values​ (Brookings)​.
Should Christians Choose the Lesser of Two Evils?
Some Christians believe that voting for the lesser of two evils still compromises their values. They argue that supporting a candidate with significant moral and ethical flaws, even if they are perceived as less harmful than the alternative, can still be seen as endorsing actions or policies contrary to Christian teachings. Biblical principles emphasize the pursuit of righteousness and avoidance of evil. Psalms 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Exploiting Christian Values
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15. If a candidate is merely exploiting Christian values to garner votes without a true belief in those principles, it raises significant ethical and practical concerns. The Bible places a high value on integrity and authenticity. Proverbs 11:3 states, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” Supporting a candidate who lacks genuine commitment to Christian values can be seen as compromising these Biblical standards. Additionally, Jesus frequently condemned hypocrisy and emphasized the importance of genuine faith.
Supporting a candidate who exploits Christian values for political gain can damage the public witness of the Christian community. It may lead to a perception that Christians are willing to compromise their principles for political power, which can undermine the credibility of the faith. Endorsing such candidate might send the message that moral and ethical leadership is less important than political expediency. This can have long-term negative effects on the moral fabric of society and the integrity of the Christian community.
Alternative Approaches
Instead of choosing the lesser evil, devout Christians might consider several alternative approaches:
- Third-Party or Independent Candidates: Some Christians may choose to support third-party or independent candidates whose platforms align more closely with their values, even if those candidates have little chance of winning. This can be a way to vote according to conscience without feeling complicit in supporting significant moral or ethical flaws.
- Write-In Candidates: Writing in a candidate who embodies Christian values and principles can also be an option. This allows voters to express their political preferences while maintaining their moral integrity.
- Non-Voting: Some Christians may decide to abstain from voting altogether if they believe that all available choices are morally unacceptable. This can be a form of protest or a way to avoid compromising their values.
- Advocacy and Prayer: Beyond voting, Christians can engage in advocacy and prayer for their nation and its leaders. They can work to promote justice, compassion, and moral integrity in their communities and hold leaders accountable to high ethical standards.
Biblical Guidance on Leadership and Justice
The Bible provides guidance on leadership and justice that can help inform voting decisions. Micah 6:8 states, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This verse underscores the importance of justice, mercy, and humility in leadership. Additionally, Romans 13:1-2 emphasizes respecting authorities: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
In conclusion, while Christians might desire clear-cut answers, political decisions often require balancing various moral, ethical, and policy-related concerns. Personal character, policy impacts, and alignment with Christian teachings all play a role in this decision-making process. The complexities of political choices and human behavior necessitate a nuanced approach, rather than a simplistic, black-and-white view. For some, this may mean not choosing between the lesser of two evils but instead exploring alternative approaches that maintain their moral and ethical integrity.