Why I'm (Probably) Not Voting

I’m probably not going to vote in the upcoming presidential election here in the United States. 

Without a doubt, this opening sentence alone has struck an angry, confused, or uncomfortable chord with a few readers. Some folks will say I shouldn’t have a voice in the political realm (especially for complaints) if I don’t vote or that I’m wasting a gift of God by not voting. I’ve addressed those responses elsewhere so I’ll just focus on why I’m not voting here.

For the record, I’m writing this because I’m often asked about my position and it’s easy to have it written out and accessible. Also, I think it’s a position worth taking into consideration (for Christians). My reasons are several and they aren’t all tied together directly. I’ll spend the most time on the reasons that are more theologically based since those are most important to me (but I’ll try to not take up too much of your time).

Before I jump into my list of reasons I want to provide a quick disclaimer that I am not against other people voting and I don’t believe my position is one that everyone should adopt. I am convicted of it for myself and I respect the choice of others to vote and encourage them to do all that they do for the glory of God, accompanied by prayer and humility as they put their hope in Jesus. There have been times when voting has been obedience to God for many and I’m confident that continues to be true. Okay, so here’s why I’m probably not voting:

1. I already have a President in Jesus - The gospels are far more political than the church tends to emphasize. We neglect to understand terms like Gospel and Lord as predominantly political due to our vast distance from the culture out of which they were born but the truth is that Jesus’ ministry is incredibly political and it clearly (to first listeners) and directly stands in competition with the Roman government of his day. Jesus is talked about the way Caesar is talked about and he speaks of his kingdom often, revealing what his heavenly nation is like in contrast to Caesar’s [earthly nation]. Granted, the term President doesn’t carry with it an aspect of divinity like ‘Lord’ did but the contrast of power and rulership still exists). Jesus’ ministry is so political that he even holds processions like a king and the New Testament authors continue to use political language to teach about his way. Jesus leads an alternative nation/kingdom as a Lord/President and we are to be citizens of that nation (Ephesians 2:9, Philippians 3:20). As shown by the early church, this turns us into foreigners/sojourners in all other nations (1 Peter 2:11). I believe this dichotomy is still at play in our world today and that we must somehow embrace it through practical application.

In the U.S., which is often hailed as a “Christian nation” - a label I believe we’d all do well to reject -, it is important for Christians to be distinctive in their politics, just like the early church was in their context. It is imperative that we show there is a heavenly nation, that we belong to it, and that this heavenly nation is unlike any of the nations on earth just as our President is unlike earthly Presidents (John 18:36). One way we can be uniquely set apart from this world is by not engaging in the political work of nations in the same manner as others living around us. We can point to our heavenly nation and our President as what concerns us and how we live (for we fear God and not men). It’s true that we hold a dual citizenship in some sense (Paul uses his to escape flogging) but while there are expectations for Christians to submit to authorities and render to them what is theirs, there is no obligation to vote and refraining to do so can provide soil for discussion about God’s nation and the President we serve. By adopting distinctive political behaviors we cultivate a curiosity in others that allows us to speak the truth of God. In short, we recognize that there is already a President in office (for the world and not merely the United States). Plus, as a foreigner it feels strange to vote for the President to me. What business is it of mine who leads an earthly nation that doesn’t get my allegiance above my heavenly nation? But I’ll get back to that later.

2. I have no desire for my way of life to be the law of the land or to be domineering over others even if from a distance or in an obscure manner. Jesus is highly political but the way of his kingdom doesn’t seem to be taking power in the ways that the world seeks power but rather living as an example in weakness/meekness. He doesn't seek legislative reform or command his disciples to see that the laws of the land favor his teachings or their comfort. His kingdom is upside down (first shall be last, weak are strong and strong are weak, the poor are blessed, etc.) so it makes sense that he didn’t attempt to overthrow the Roman government like a zealot but rather lived out the way of God’s Kingdom in a self-sacrificing manner. Jesus avoids earthly political power so much that when he is tempted by Satan in the desert (Matthew 4) he rejects the political power offered to him over all the kingdoms of the world. The fact that Jesus is tempted with this offer makes me believe that we all face this temptation to take power over others in some sense. We all want to be on top. As someone who seeks to imitate Jesus, I do not desire political power, even if it is going to bed with an earthly president via the voting booth.

John Chrysostom (an early Church father) once said, "The desire to rule is the mother of all heresies.” Tertullian (also a Church father) said, "In us [Christians], all ardor in the pursuit of glory and honor is dead. So we have no pressing inducement to take part in your public meetings. Nor is there anything more entirely foreign to us than affairs of state.” Tertullian even believed that Christians can not, in truth, become government officials but that’s another discussion entirely.  In short, I don’t see the way of the Christian being one of domineering or enforcing a law upon others since that is not the ministry Christ has given to his Church. 

3. I want to stay clear of putting my hope and trust in princes/man as I seek to place my hope and trust in Christ Jesus alone. People have always wanted kings and I think we all tend to believe that if we simply voted into office the right people or passed the right legislation that our problems would be fixed. That’s idolatrous. 2 Samuel 8 makes me believe that when we trust earthly governing authorities we’re doomed to drown in injustice and so it's best to not invest too much in such things. We won’t find any kind of savior on Capitol Hill so I won’t spend my time trying. There’s no help in these authorities (Psalm 146:3). We know that "It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes" (Psalm 118:8-9). Too often, we fall into the trap of voting for someone not only with a ballot but also with our heart. It’s easy to get caught up in politics of this world and lose sight of Jesus’ politics. One way for me to stay focused on Jesus, his kingdom, and my mission as a part of his Church, is to avoid being a part of the governing authorities or putting my hope in them. 

4. Regardless of whether or not I vote, God is responsible for setting up the authorities. In Romans 13, Paul of Tarsus teaches that God has placed rulers in their place and he’s done so for a purpose. He wrote this about Nero who murdered innocent Christians for unjust reasons. If he meant it for Nero he must mean it for Obama, Bush (any of the three), Clinton (either of the two), Adolf Hitler, and all the others. Most authorities in history were not elected, except by God. I believe God is still the primary elector of governing authorities. Yes, he may use the votes of a people but he’s never beckoned me or the Church to vote so I trust his judgment and his silence regarding my decision to abstain from voting. Ultimately, the call God has for the Church doesn’t change based on who’s in office. It’s not an issue we need to be anxious about because our King is always the same and we’re always focused first on his kingdom (Matthew 6:33). God will use whoever is in office for his purposes but he doesn't need my vote to do that.

5. I’m unwilling to endorse the platform of politicians that I don’t trust or believe. Truth be told, I’ve yet to find a politician I trust or fully believe is being honest and just. I have serious doubts concerning how honest and just any politician is able to be (as a result of the nature of politics and power in a sinful world). If I vote for someone I feel that I’m endorsing their entire platform and I’m unwilling to do that for the present candidates. All people fall short and sin, nobody is perfect, and I endorse plenty of sinners. This is undeniable. However, most of the sinners I'm somehow endorsing (while not endorsing their sin), aren't responsible for governing millions of people and don't have control over weapons that can destroy the planet. 

6. I don’t have to vote for someone in order to affect their views or the realm they govern. Voting is one manner of attempting to affect our world but there are many others and I can seek to influence politicians without endorsing them. Like many Christians before me, I believe that I serve the authorities best through my prayers and this has become my primary form of support for earthly politicians.

7. I’m persuaded that the system is unjust in the process of how officials become elected and raise money since it silences the poor and marginalized. I’ve known some folks who ran for office and what I’ve learned about the process of seeking office is that it’s nigh impossible (in the U.S.) for the poor and marginalized to play a major role in deciding who can represent them since they do not possess the funds that win elections. Candidates give their time and energy to target populations that a) vote in high numbers and b) contribute to their cause with donated funds. Investing in the poor and marginalized doesn’t provide funds for a winning campaign and thus the ones who need justice and representation the most are left on the outskirts by candidates even if the candidate wants to care about those populations.  Candidates are trapped into silencing the people who deserve their voice the most and that's a system I feel I should oppose.

8. I’m not persuaded that the system works well. Simply put, I don’t believe my vote does much to get “my guy/gal” elected into office. Part of this is because I believe the system we are shown is not the system that is truly working. In other words, I see U.S. politics functioning more like an oligarchy than a democracy (don't hold me to that terminology though). I see presidents bought more than won (by vote). This is the least important of issues to me since I’m mostly apathetic regarding the type of government that is in place where I live. My mission as a Christian stays the same regardless of the political system that is in place. After the first seven reasons this is a bit of a moot point. 

Now, you may have noticed at the beginning I said I probably won’t be voting. That means I would consider voting. I may be willing to vote on behalf of other people who believe in the process and desire to have more voices that contribute to fighting an injustice they face. For instance, if I know an immigrant who isn’t a legal citizen but lives as a citizen (works, has kids in schools, pays taxes, etc.) and they want a candidate in office for immigration reform, I’ll vote for that person on their behalf. This applies to any other marginalized person who doesn't have a political voice. However, I’ve yet to come across such an opportunity. There may be other reasons for me to vote but nobody has convinced me of any. I’m always open to new perspectives and changing my mind so if you’d like to have a discussion, I’m gladly open for it.

Hopefully this is the beginning of a larger conversation for many of us. If you want to explore the relationship between Christianity and politics a bit more I’d suggest some of the following resources that I’ve enjoyed and that have challenged me.

Influential/Additional Resources:
Myth of a Christian Nation by Greg Boyd
Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw
The Early Christians by Eberhard Arnold (free PDF online)
Politics of Jesus by John Howard Yoder
Rethinking Christ and Culture by Craig Carter
Mockingbird by Derek Webb