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Millions of Christians in the United States indicated in a study released on Monday that they are not likely to vote in the upcoming election this November, signaling a potential problem for the Republican Party and the conservative movement.
The study found that approximately 104 million people under the "people of faith" umbrella are not expected to vote in this election, including 41 million born-again Christians and 32 million who regularly attend church.
Should people of the Christian faith check out on the culture and refuse to participate in choosing the direction of our country?
Be informed, not misled.
Just over half of interviewees (51%) in a Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University study, who identified as "people of faith," responded that they are likely to vote in the presidential election between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The "people of faith" label is given to those who identify with a recognized religion, such as Christianity, Judaism, Mormonism, or Islam.
As mentioned, the study found that approximately 104 million people under the "people of faith" umbrella are not expected to vote, including 41 million born-again Christians and 32 million who regularly go to church.
"I see two huge takeaways from this blockbuster report," Len Munsil, President of Arizona Christian University and a former Republican nominee for Arizona governor, said in a news release.
"First, that Christians could be the deciding factor in a bunch of federal and state races – and are choosing not to be. And second, that they are longing for their local church to instruct them on how to think biblically about policy and politics."
"They don't want to be told how to vote, but they do want to know why they should vote, and how to view political issues from a biblical framework," he added.
Why are so many choosing not to vote?
The research asked people who indicated they were not likely to vote to explain the reasons for that choice.
The most common reason, offered by two-thirds of the non-voters (68%), was a lack of interest in politics and elections. Other common reasons included disliking all of the major candidates (57%), feeling that none of the candidates reflect their most important views (55%), and believing that their one vote will not make a difference (52%). Half of the non-voters said they would avoid voting because the election has become too controversial for their liking (50%).
Be sure to examine the study's turn-out projections and actions taken by churches on these issues during the past two years.
I found it interesting and disappointing to learn what issues are most important to this group of believers: Inflation, the economy, the border, and crime.
This apathy on the part of Christians and Jews is sending shockwaves around the world.
Yesterday, The Jerusalem Post said, "Low voter turnout among American Christians and Jews could impact 2024 election, study finds. A new study reveals that 104 million people of faith, including 32 million churchgoing Christians, may abstain from voting in the 2024 election, potentially reshaping the political landscape."
Dr. Alex McFarland has written an excellent article on "Why Christians must vote."
This is a summary of what he wrote:
McFarland says, "I spoke at a large church conference some time ago where the pastor told his congregation after my message that he didn’t vote and thought it was a waste of time for anyone else to vote. But is that true? Should Christians vote in America’s 2024 election?"
The pastor’s attitude represents a growing concern about evangelicals who refuse to exercise their responsibility to vote. When I face this issue, I look to Scripture and America’s history where I find overwhelming evidence to support the view that Christian participation in voting is vital to the future of our nation.
Scripture offers several passages supporting the importance of government, including our role on Election Day.
- First, the government and its leaders are established by God. Romans 13:4 states, “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.” Shouldn’t we desire to help select the best leaders possible to serve in the roles that lead our communities, state and nation?
- Second, a Christian worldview challenges us to support godly values wherever we live. When the prophet Jeremiah wrote to Jews exiled to Babylon, he instructed them to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). The same principle remains true today to vote and support leaders who most closely align with our biblical convictions.
- Third, voting can be viewed as a form of stewardship (Matthew 25). We are responsible for voting for candidates who will best honor God and moral values. Otherwise, we waste the opportunity given to us as believers and as Americans, leaving the decision to others who may not share our convictions.
Samuel Adams was the organizer of the Boston Tea Party and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Adams said that your vote is a stewardship issue, arguing that we should vote “unto God,” and to the best of our knowledge elect people who will be moral leaders. This was a conviction strongly held during the early days of our nation that remains important today.
- Fourth, Jesus calls His followers to be “salt and light,” a teaching that includes our voting. How can we authentically claim to live fully for God yet neglect to represent His values? Shouldn’t we care who leads our school board, our state, and who represents us in Congress? From your county seat to the White House, who we help elect will determine the future laws that impact us, our children, and future generations.
Takeaway
The real reason many Christian leaders are silent on the issue of voting is fear. Fear of the IRS and fear of the atheist organization Freedom From Religion Foundation, whose main activity is suing people who refuse to remain silent.
The views of our Founding Fathers, which once united our country, now increasingly result in threats of legal action. We no longer live in a culture that will easily accept a biblical worldview on many political issues. If we choose to speak out or vote for our values, we will face persecution.
This response should not be shunned but embraced. After all, our Savior warned us that in this world, we would have trouble (John 16:33). Let us not shy away from voting for our values but stand firm in our beliefs, calling others to join us in supporting the freedoms and values that have made our nation strong for 248 years.
Christians agree that our ultimate trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ. But until we get to heaven, we must use our voices to influence good, including with our vote during the 2024 elections.
Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Sober. Be Vigilant. Be Engaged. Be Prayerful. VOTE.