I hate doing this... I prefer to let everyone do as they please and make their own decisions and use their own judgement. But, I cant sit silent on this one. I hope you will read this and understand that I would not type a word of this if I wasn't completely positive I absolutely had to write this and risk your anger if I did.
I come to all of you humbly and admitting I do not know it all, but my conscience will not let me sleep.... Please, please, please... don't vote for Obama. I'm begging you to pray and evaluate this for yourself, I am sure that you will come up with the same revelation.
From the moment that Scott and Amy introduced me to Obama, I was as SNL says "In the bag for Obama". Just like the press, just like everyone who has fallen for his smooth talk and charismatic style, I was sold on his policy.
I ignored all the warning signs. His past voting record. His bad choices of relationships. His lack of viable experience. His words and everything in his site about his policy is perfect. Too perfect.
The first warning sign for me was Lysa. Lysa has an uncanny ability to get a feeling that always comes true. Some would call it prophetic. I used to call it crazy. Time and Time again, she has shown me that when she gets a "feeling" its ALWAYS right. Its basically her gift of discernment. A few weeks ago, she expressed her "feeling" that Obama should not be president and that Mccain would be the better vote. I wont be voting for Mccain, but I completely agree with her discernment now.
After weeks of careful study and prayer. I have come to the conclusion that Obama is merely an illusion. Not to say that the man Barack Obama is an illusion, but that the person that is running for president is not that man. If you pray for discernment and then watch all that he has said and then WHAT HE HAS DONE. I think you will realize the same.
Now I know you have heard the following a zillion times, but try to stay with me. I am trying to express something I dont really know how to express in a blog. It started with who he spent his time around. I find it hard to believe that 20 years in a church under this whacko Jeremiah Wright did not affect him one bit.
In fact, anyone who says that they hung out with someone for 20 years even once a month and says that they didnt pick up one thing from that person is bull... I have worked with a bunch of whiners at qwest for only 8 years and I hate who I have sometimes become in acting just like those I despise so much. I worry very much about someone who says that they have an immunity to such a thing. That was only the first warning sign.
Then, I got interested, I compared my views with his. His website says that he will reduce taxes for the middle class... I am extremely interested in anyone who will realign the economy to make it possible for someone like me to make some money and not have all of it taken away by the government. I was completely for Obama in this realm. Sadly, his voting record doesnt back his talk. As a christian, and as a young person growing up in a post-modern society, I feel I have gained somewhat of an accurate skill in deciding if a person is being sincere or not. Initially I felt Obama was. Now, I KNOW he was not. I loved his liberal ideas about how to bring around the economy. I felt that even if one quarter of all his policies passed, it would be a HUGE step for this country in the right direction. Sadly, I feel that those that vote for Obama will not see much to any of this come to pass.
My next problem I had was the abortion issue. Now, listen for a second. I absolutely hate it when christians make elections a ONE ISSUE decision . I dislike the fact that alot of christians consider Abortion and Roe vs. Wade the determining factor in their vote. I actually dont care if you fall under this category and are enraged by this. I think it is ignorant and stupid for a christian or anybody to take a MORAL issue like abortion and decide a president based on what a candidate says during an election year. I believe firmly that if the CHURCH as the body of christ stepped up and did what Jesus said "Love one another as I have loved you" and "Love one another as yourself" Abortion would not be an issue. Shame on the Church/body of christ for failing this one. I could vote for a Pro-life candidate no problem. I dont have a moral problem with that. I do have a problem with a candidate that votes 3 times to not protect babies that are born ALIVE.... I dont accept his excuse that he didnt know what he was voting for, or that the bill had changed in a way that caused him to change his vote... Its all smoke... He knew exactly what he was voting for, and he chose to do it 3 TIMES.... Nevermind if his daughter got pregnant he would want to know before she aborted it. Nevermind the fact that he was never the one that had to leave a very ALIVE child alone to die. Nevermind that my nemisis, the evil Hillary Clinton, who I despise, voted the opposite of Obama. Just as the other 97 percent of the Senate did.
I could go on all night. Its now 3:30am. There are several more reasons I cannot and will not vote for Obama. Unfortunately, I may not convince you with this blog. Either way, as Paul says, in 1 John 4:1 , test the spirits. I challenge you to do just that. I've been wrong before, and I WILL be wrong again. In this case, I seriously doubt it. I have a BAD feeling about what will happen if Obama is elected. Many people have said it, and I ignored it for months. He just seems to me like a wolf in sheeps clothing. Maybe I am the wack job, maybe I got it wrong. But I do know this, a few weeks ago, I was going to vote Obama, and now I know that I wouldn't vote Obama at gunpoint. As my friends and family, if that doesnt mean something urgent to you, I dont know what will. I challenge you to do your own research into this issue. Dont take my meaningless word on it.
I love you all, and will continue to love and respect you no matter what your feeling about this post or your differing view.
Shon
edit notes: Ooops, my choice of words was really poor there. It always sounds so much better in my head, and I just try to get it out fast enough... thanks to Lance for mentioning that. Theres a reason I dont write this stuff usually. Especially at 3 in the morning.
3 comments:
I'm glad to hear of your convictions and that you are decidedly voting against Obama – I fully agree that he is a questionable candidate at best.
However, I do have to offer my two cents on the abortion section of your post. You know I love you, man, but I think you missed the mark on this one. First of all, be careful of using the word 'HATE' when referring to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Clearly, we are entitled to disagree with one another, and at times even dislike one another – there's nothing unbiblical about that. But, as you were keen to point out, we are called to LOVE one another.
In reference to that scripture on love, it is a historical fact that love alone does not put an end to sin. Even God's love, and close fellowship, was not enough to deter Adam and Eve from sinning. In response to this sin, and the many sins that followed, God responded by establishing the law. God's people, despite His obvious hand over their lives, were unable to govern themselves, and hold themselves accountable. This law was not only a moral code that God called us to live according to, with separation from Him being the only consequence. As well, there were physical and legal consequences: exile, restoration (steal one goat, replace it with two; financial payment, etc.), the death penalty, and so on. Surely, we all agree with the law that we shall not murder. Murder is clearly a moral issue, that must bear legal, and sometimes, physical consequences (death). Is abortion not murder? If you have done any kind of scientific research, you will find that life truly begins at conception (this is not just the view of scientists with a religious bent). Are we not called to protect the innocent from murder?
As far as whether or not one should make abortion their sole, or first, determining factor when stepping into the poll – explain to me why this is ignorant. As a Christian, I do not require that a candidate share in a particular faith. But as a Christian, I will judge their moral character, as many of the decisions they will be responsible for in the oval office will be moral decisions. For me, abortion is a huge indicator of one's moral code. Many will argue that there are several moral issues that define a president. However, nearly all of the moral decisions made by a president come during their term as president – not during their term as candidate (for instance, the decision to go to war on a false premise, as many like to argue is the case against Bush or McCain). On the other hand, Obama and most democrats have given us a very telling sign of their moral character before they are even elected into office. And unfortunately, there is one serious argument against your claim that Christians are ignorant, and are making a stupid decision because of their decision to vote for, or against, a candidate based on their moral stance on abortion. The fact is, abortion IS a voting issue and not just a moral issue (reference www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30081 and http://denver.yourhub.com/Littleton/Stories/Elections/Story~518429.aspx). Both Obama and McCain would argue that abortion is a key issue in this election – often expressed by both as THE issue (although Barack will avoid this topic in front of the general public, but will gladly pronounce his support of abortion in front of Planned Parenthood, ACORN, and other pro-abortion supporters). Obama has sworn, as his first action as president, to pass FOCA and has promised to appoint judges that will not only uphold Roe v. Wade, but ones that will also make abortion more accessible.
We have a moral obligation to speak for those that don't have a voice, and a Christian obligation to take care of orphans. What better example of an orphan than one that has been rejected by his/her parents while still in the womb. God has blessed us with a government system that allows us protections based on law – why would we not use this law to protect those that cannot protect themselves?
"For me, abortion is a huge indicator of one's moral code."
Absolutely, Lance.
Shon, I appreciate your thought. I would urge you, though, not to use this election to make a "statement vote." CO will be close, and I think too much is at stake (like the Supreme Court). McCain doesn't exactly give me goosebumps, but he is prolife and does not support socialist economic policies. Sadly, a vote for anyone other than McCain in this election is a vote for Obama. So I'd just ask you to pray about that some more! :)
It's unfortunate your prayers were not answered like mine were. I guess my god is real.... How many of your friends take in orphaned children Shon? There are millions in this Country that are still looking for a home. You were right at first buddy.. Christians who base there vote on abortion are ignorant. Thank (my) god there are more people like me in this Country then there are like you. We won.. Obama!!!!!
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