Because elected officials vote with their party platform the majority of the time (Democrats 74%, Republicans 89%), it is important to vote not for an individual, but for the platform that most closely lines up with the Word of God.
What should you consider when looking at the platforms?
1. Israel
“I will bless those who bless [Israel], and whoever curses [Israel] I will curse.” –Genesis 12:3 (NIV)
In the past, official positions by both the Democratic and Republican Parties on Israel were largely alike. However, just as with every other issue, the divide has widened substantially. The Republican Party platform is strongly pro-Israel and has only become more so in recent years. On the flip side, the Democratic Party platform is anti-Israel, in that it sees the only solution to Middle East peace is a two-state solution, where Israeli territory is divided between the nation of Israel and the Palestinians. A two-state solution is not scriptural. The word Palestinian derives from the word Philistine, which explains the continued struggle for the land (see Joshua 13).
2. Abortion
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.” –Jeremiah 1:5
Abortion is the taking of an unborn life—a life God created. We must stand against abortion by voting for the party platform that seeks to protect life and be a voice for the voiceless.
3. Religious Freedom
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” –Matthew 10:22 (NIV)
Christian bakery owners, florists and photographers are sued and financially ruined for choosing not to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies. Coaches are fired for praying on the field with their teams. Teachers are fired, and university students are targeted for their faith.
Governments are going toe-to-toe with churches, demanding that they close their doors or stop worshipping in the wake of the recent pandemic, while allowing casinos, abortion clinics and other collective activities to reopen.
Then, there’s the Equality Act, which is nothing short of a full-on assault against Christian rights. (Read more about the Equality Act HERE.)
Our religious freedoms are under fire. And your right to stand on the side of the Bible will continue to be at stake unless Christians take a stand in the voting booth.
4. The Promotion of Homosexuality
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” –1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV)
Some people think if it doesn’t affect them directly, it’s no big deal. The truth is—there is no such thing as a law that doesn’t impact everyone in some way. Consider recent legislation in California, which softens criminal penalties for LGBTQ+ adults who have sex with minors.
More and more, we see the promotion of homosexuality in our public schools, the military, the workplace, the media and across all aspects of society. Accusations of hate speech and threatened jail time are aimed at Christians regularly for not agreeing.
Democrats agree with redefining marriage and forcing society to agree with this lifestyle. The Republican platform states that marriage is between one man and one woman, and it does not promote homosexuality.
It doesn’t take much to realize, when looking at both party platforms, that one lines up with the Bible and the other is in complete opposition to God and His Word. Christians are called to steward the land where they are placed by God and to vote for those who will uphold righteousness.