Wednesday, November 14, 2007

When Christian Leaders Betray Their Own Principles


The following quote is from Mr. Murray from Religious Freedom Coalition in his blog. He is discussing why several Christian leaders have abandoned their principles by endorsing people for president that are not staunchly pro-life and/or pro-marriage.

Why is the social conservative movement in the United States committing suicide? The answer is power politics. Evangelical conservative leaders are backing candidates they think will win rather than those who have been consistent social conservatives with 100% pro-life records. Many other endorsements I will not mention here have surprised me, but all seem to have one theme: “We need someone who can beat Hillary.” The assumption is that the GOP must choose a “centrist” presidential candidate or Hillary will win. The logic goes, “We need a New York liberal to beat their New York liberal.” By that logic Ronald Reagan would not have gotten the GOP presidential nomination. Reagan was too conservative to be electable by the National Right to Life Committee standards and those of many other social conservative leaders today.

Meanwhile the rank and file members of social conservative organizations are being turned off by their leadership. While National Right to Life has endorsed Fred Thompson, his numbers continue to fall in Iowa and New Hampshire while those of Governor Mike Huckabee continue to rise. Huckabee is now in a solid 2nd place in Iowa behind Governor Mitt Romney who has spent $21 million in that state alone. Huckabee has spent just $500,000 there and he has such momentum that he may well take first place on Election Day. Thompson is in fourth place in Iowa and fifth place in New Hampshire where Huckabee recently passed him. The national polls don’t matter at all because most of those folks will actually never vote in a primary.

First, I thank God that the head of the Church is Christ and we "rank and file" Christians are not bound to follow our "leaders" when they turn from the path that Christ would have us follow. So I encourage everyone to vote your values.

Second, when you go to the ballot box for the primary vote for the person you think is the best candidate. Do not try to predict the future! Vote with your conscience.

Third, if you want Mike Huckabee to win, give his campaign a donation. If people don't know about him, how can they decide to vote for him.

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