Not Uninformed

I have caught a lot of flack in the past few weeks over the fact that I have not voted, did not vote today, and will not ever vote. People assume that this is an uniformed choice or that I am just lazy and don't care to make the effort to do vote. Some even assume that it is ignorant not to vote. However, my right not to vote is a very conscious decision.

I am a nonresistant pacifist. I do not believe I should vote. I do not believe there is such a thing as just war; therefore I will not vote for people who continue to send young men and women to war.  I refuse to take part in politics at any level because it would be hypocritical. I am a conservative in my theology, but liberal in my political thought. I believe in the sanctity of life, while also not feeling like outlawing abortion will fix anything. I also believe that those who claim to be pro-life when it comes to an infant and yet are pro-death penalty are crazy. Either you believe in all life or no life. I do not believe in protesting. I think the key to spreading the gospel is peace and social justice. Violence only begets violence. Peace begets peace.

I am a deontologist. (My ethical code, which is mostly duty bound.) As such, I am a moral absolutist. Things are clearly right or wrong, black or white. It does not matter what the intentions are if it wrong it is wrong. People will say that voting is my duty. That it is right to vote. Well, I do not agree. Voting is a privilege that I could partake in if I chose to. Voting is not my duty. My duty is to serve the Almighty God and submit to His prompting and my understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Although I cannot bring a specific scripture to my decision not to vote, I do have several that helped me make the decision. 1. Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God." 2. John 14:27 "My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you" I do not feel peace about voting. 3. Romans 13:1 "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." The governing authority has already been appointed by God and I have already chosen to submit to it. 4. Psalm 146:3 "Put not your hope in princes." 

I have respected everyone who has posted on Facebook or had conversations about voting. You all have the right to do so. Why can't people respect my abstaining from the vote? I do not care who gets elected today. I will pray for them faithfully until their term concludes and, yes, that includes local politicians and school board as well.  I will submit to the governing authority, as is the scriptural mandate. I will not complain about the government.

So, as many of you go out and vote your convictions, please remember some of us that do not vote are also following our convictions.