Shame on Us

It is the day after the 2008 Presidential Election. Senator Barack Obama is now President-elect Barack Obama. I guess congratulations are in order. Personally, I didn't watch much of the election coverage yesterday. I was partially worn out from the 24/7 campaigning that went on and I also did not want to subject myself to the frustration of watching my hopes get dashed. This morning, one of my siblings called my father to ask his opinion of Obama's victory. Obviously, this moment in history is a point of great pride for many black Americans and understandably so. Later this morning, this same sibling, emailed me to "reach across the aisle" and ask me my opinion about the election. They know that I am not a supporter of Senator Obama. I said I was disappointed, but that he is still my President and I would try my best to support him in prayer. After all, his decisions effect me, just as much as those who voted for him. During my lunch break, a coworker and sister in Christ, confided in me that she was very concerned about Obama's victory because of his views on abortion. She equated it to infanticide. This evening, I was talking to another family member who voted for Obama, when I said that I do not see how a Christian could vote for him. As an example, I brought up the abortion issue and the comment of my coworker. As expected, my family member dismissed the comment, suggesting that Obama's view on abortion is not similar to infanticide. Perhaps, not, but how can a Christian, in good conscience, pull the lever for candidate so diametrically opposed to biblical truth?

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9

In a speech to Planned Parenthood, Barack Obama said ...

On this fundamental issue of [abortion rights], I will not yield and Planned Parenthood will not yield. ... The first thing I'll do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do. ...

When asked on Meet the Press if he believed people are born gay or that you can change your behavior, Barack Obama said ...

I do not believe being gay or lesbian is a choice. And so I disagree with [that supporter]. But part of what I hope to offer as president is the ability to reach to people that I don't agree with, and the evangelical community is one where the Democratic Party, I think, we have generally seen as hostile. We haven't been reaching out to them, and I think that if we're going to makes significant progress on critical issues that we face, we've got to be able to get beyond our comfort zones and just talk to people we don't like. I've tried to do is to reach out to the evangelical community and tell them very clearly where I disagree.

In a 2007, HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Barack Obama said the following on marriage ...

I would've supported and would continue to support a civil union that provides all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage. And it is then, as I said, up to religious denominations to make a determination as to whether they want to recognize that as marriage or not.

In a 2008 primary debate, in Philadelphia, Barack Obama said ...

The basic principle that should guide discussions not just on affirmative action but how we are admitting young people to college generally is, how do we make sure that we're providing ladders of opportunity for people? Race is still a factor in our society. And I think that for universities to say, "we're going to take into account the hardships that somebody has experienced because they're black or Latino or women..."

On the issues of abortion, homosexuality, marriage and affirmative action, Obama fails miserably. He claims to be a Christian, yet he supports the Freedom of Choice Act which, according to Janet Porter of World Net Daily, "would completely federalize the abortion issue and strike down all state laws from parental notification to the Woman's Right to Know Laws to bans on partial-birth abortion, declaring them null and void with the stroke of an Obama pen." Scripture says the Lord hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17). Obama claims to be a Christian, but says homosexuality is not a choice. That is a far cry from when the Bible tells us that men and women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones (Romans 1:26). If it weren't so sad, his double talk on the issue of marriage, would be humorous. He says each religious denomination should be left to determine what marriages they recognize. But, he also says that "civil unions" should be afforded all the same benefits as regular marriage. Yet, as a professed Christian, he should realize that the Bible says marriage is between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24). Obama claims to be a Christian, but supports Affirmative Action which gives one group of people favoritism over another based on past hardships. However, scripture tells us not to show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great (Leviticus 19:15). So, I ask any Christian that voted for Barack Obama, "How do you justify your choice?" I know no candidate is perfect and that we may have to compromise that which we know to be true for the greater good. But, a consistently anti-biblical agenda, like Obama's, is not one that you can say is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy or should be put into practice. Unfortunately, when you cast your vote in his favor you are saying that it is.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:21-23

I am the first to say that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). So, if you are a Christian who voted for Barack Obama, I am not questioning your salvation and don't believe you will be punished for your vote. However, what I am saying is for you to question your faith. Many people say that when you vote you are voting for the "lesser of two evils." That may be true. And if it is, can you honestly say that you voted for the lesser of two evils if you supported Obama? Do you look at the world from a biblical perspective? Or do you look at the Bible from the perspective of the world? If you do the latter, and see no problem at all, I beg you to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith. If your worldview, and those you support, does not line up with what the Bible states more often than not, there may be a chance that you aren't truly a disciple of Jesus Christ. And, you are risking a penalty far more grave then just the embarrassment of selecting a poor candidate. Your selecting of a poor candidate may be an indication that you don't know the Lord. And, heaven forbid, you come face to face with Him before professing a saving faith in Christ. The consequences are eternal and catastrophic for not doing so. Thankfully, our hope as Christians does not rest in the actions of those we vote into office. Our hope rests entirely on the shoulders of Jesus Christ. As I said to my sibling, Barack Obama is my President now and I will pray that he listens to the guidance of the Lord and changes some of his positions. But, if he and his supporters, all who claim to be fellow Christians of mine, don't change then they should be ashamed of themselves. They not only may have hurt the country they live in, they may have unintentionally revealed where they eternity lies if they don't change. Thank God He is patient and not willing that anyone should perish.