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How to Approach Politics After November 6

How to Approach Politics After November 6

Meet 7 Christians who engage politically beyond checking a ballot box.

In less than one week, the rigorous debates, polls, and nasty ad campaigns that have marked this U.S. election season will abate as American voters choose the next President. While about 70 percent of white (non-Hispanic) evangelical Protestant voters say they support the 2012 GOP candidate, there's evidence that more Christians are planning to sit this election out. Their reasons for doing so are perhaps best embodied by Jen Pollock Michel, a Her.meneutics writer who has typically voted Republican but has grown wary of the GOP's approach to health care. In a recent post, she says our two-party system splits her Christian convictions down the middle, leaving her conscience torn.

Thankfully, there are many ways Christians can engage politics beyond voting for a President every four years. Since This Is Our City launched in October 2012, we have spotlighted a number of Christians who are attending city council meetings, lobbying on behalf of a particular issue or candidate, and raising awareness on legislation that will improve their community. A running theme in many of these is "local, local, local." As political scientist Amy Black told us last fall, "The smaller the unit of government, the more significant our individual contributions become. A few concerned activists can attend a school board or city council meeting and help influence the decision-making."

Don't miss the following portraits of Christians making common-good decisions that take more than a ballot check.

Christian or Lobbyist? Yes!: Stephanie Tama-Sweet

As a lobbyist in Oregon, Stephanie Tama-Sweet believes that politics can't be black and white.

Where Christian Civic Engagement Begins: Tim Soerens

Tim Soerens believes that contributing to the shalom of his city starts with showing up.

The Cost of Serving Portland--and Jesus--as an Oregon Politician: Jules Bailey

State Representative Jules Bailey, an unlikely Christian, has drafted some of the most innovative environmental legislation in the state.

With Liberty of Justice for All: Pam Hogeweide and Emmett Bailey

How can people who share the same faith embrace such different politics?

A Christian Immigrant Without Papers: Ricardo

How the Mexico native's shattered dreams to play football fueled a new vocational calling.

Class Activist: Ian Danley

Ian Danley believes high school is where Phoenix Latinos can step out and grasp a future.

Rethinking the $3,000 Missions Trip

Rethinking the $3,000 Missions Trip

When I learned that kids in my city couldn't swim, I started to rethink how much I'd invested in overseas missions.
Furniture Fit for the Kingdom

Furniture Fit for the Kingdom

For Harrison Higgins, building beautiful furniture is not simply a steady job but a sacrament unto God.
Faith in a Fallen Empire

Faith in a Fallen Empire

Detroit's list of maladies is long. But some Christians' commitment to its renewal is longer.
'Daddy, Why Do People Steal from Us?'

'Daddy, Why Do People Steal from Us?'

How I answered the question would prove crucial to addressing racial divides in our D.C. neighborhood.

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Displaying 1–1 of 1 comments

KEVIN ANDERSON

November 05, 2012  6:44pm

The two candidates amazingly agree on the following: NDAA, Patriot Act, American military presence in the Middle East, Aggressive American interference in foreign affairs, Keeping the Fed, Maintaining the bloated & wasteful military budget, Oil drilling on Federal lands, (Not) reducing US dependence on oil, Keystone XL pipeline, No Single Payer universal health insurance coverage, Drone strikes, Prosecuting Wall St Bankers (there hasn't been any), Corporate personhood, LE harassment of medical marijuana users, Not raising the minimum wage, Wiretapping, Gtmo bay

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