“Radio Personalities Help Voters Decide” by Steve Holt, sports writer.

In the August 25th edition of the Optimist, Steve Holt states, “Their [Dr. James Dobson’s and others’] tactics [on encouraging Christians to vote] are underhanded and deceptive, however, mixing religion and politics into a thick soup of guilt, responsibility and legalism.”

Holt asserts that “they [Christian voters] [are] even being told that they’re sinning if they don’t show up at the polls.”

Holt seeks to undermine Dr. Dobson’s and others’ charge for Christians to show up at the polls in November to vote (mind you, these claims are also devoid of any documentation).

He states, “What I hate is when polarizing forces like Dobson make one’s politics a spiritual issue.” In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” What is Jesus implying here? He is implying that we as Christians have a civic duty to be involved in the culture and the political process. If we are carrying out this responsibility, then we have no need to be guilty. Moreover, if we don’t elect officials with Biblical values to lead our country, then who will?

Two key Web sites for the body of Christ as the elections draw closer are www.redeemthevote.com, and www.ivotevalues.org. Both encourage Christian voters to express their voice and values in the coming election.

May God grant us the grace to carry out our civic duty and responsibility as biblical Christians, and not Christians “in name only.”

Patrick Noland
senior psychology major from Abilene