Voting: A Christian Responsibility?
previously published on July 2006
Voting is a right and a privilege to have in this country. According to the US Census Bureau—November 2000 Election, only 30.7% of Asian-Pacific Americans are registered to vote. Compare these numbers to that of Whites/Anglos-66%, Blacks-64%, and Latino/Hispanic-35%, Asian Americans are not only the lowest in terms of percentage of registered voters, but we also have the least number of voters in terms of our total population count. To add more fuel to the fire, Asian-Pacific Americans comprised just 2% of voters in the 2000 election. However, there is hope in the fact that Asian-Pacific Americans are the second largest growing minority in the country. But with great numbers, comes great power and we need to harness our voting power.
But what continually aggravates me is that our church members (whom the vast majority are Korean/Asian American) do not even pay attention to the political arena or world events. I hear excuses of, “I’m too busy or tired” “Politics does not interest me,” or “Who cares?” Yet, I am amazed that these are the same people who know every fantasy sports statistic, all the hottest fashion/restaurants/movies, or keep up with every Korean drama. Our priorities are out of order when these non-essential entities dictate our lives, instead of learning about real issues that affect the economy, education, world affairs, civil rights, and other social issues. Whether or not Kobe Bryant scores 30 points does not affect me as much as the Patriot Act, FCC and media ownership, and the ongoing Iraq war.
As Christians and more specifically, Seventh-Day Adventists, our church is not very politically active compared to other religious organizations. Growing up SDA, I do not remember a time when our church ever urged its members to vote, endorsed a proposition, or to get involved with your local Republican/Democratic club. I feel that too many members in our church (local, ethnic, and organizational) have taken a “blind faith” approach towards politics. The whole “God’s will” theory will prevail in government or that it doesn’t matter since “Jesus is coming soon” is an extremely poor and irresponsible way to live our lives as Christians.
Matthew 5:13-15 (NIV) says it best, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” We are to be the light and the salt of the world, but how can we if we ignore important issues that affect our friends, families, and our church. How can we witness to other non-Christians and share the truth when we have been living our lives in the dark about the world that affects every single one of us? We have the power to improve our government by voting on issues and candidates. But that power can be negated through our indifference and ignorance.
For those who believe that voting is not important because “God’s will shall be done” or that “Jesus is coming soon,” I want to turn your attention to Matthew 25. This is the parable about the man who entrusted each servant with different numbers of talents. The master set away and returned home after a while. When the master returned, he asks each servant what he has done with his talents. Well, we all know the ending and that the servant who did nothing with his one talent was punished. Now, I’m not saying that those who don’t vote will be punished. But what I am saying is that God has entrusted us with talents such as power and intelligence. And we are to use these talents to benefit our lives and the lives of our fellow man. How do we do that? By educating ourselves on the issues and candidates, asking God for His wisdom, and then voting on what we believe is right and fair. We don’t know when Jesus will come again so we must be ready and live responsible lives as Christians on this Earth.
Whether you vote Republican or Democrat is not the point of this article. But what is important is that you people go out and register to vote. Voting is a right and a privilege that we are so blessed and fortunate to have in this country. Do not take this privilege that God has given us, for granted.