Let’s begin with the ‘who’ rather than the ‘why.’ In case you haven’t noticed—and it seems some in the Republican Party either have not, or resent—America is getting darker. My own family is probably representative of the broader American landscape. Four years ago we were a bunch of white people. Today, my wife and I are proud parents of a black 21-month-old daughter. We just had a wonderful visit with our two nieces whose Mexican-American skin is a few shades darker than ours. Welcome to modern-day America.
It is no secret Barack Obama carried the growing ‘minority’ vote. Neither is it shocking, at least not to anyone who knows anything about the culture of ‘darker’ Americans. But it was not the black and Hispanic vote alone that carried Barack Obama to victory. He also won because of strong support among younger voters, many of whom are Christian. To older generations of Christians, many of whom are staunchly ‘religious right,’ this latter category comes as a surprise—or if not a surprise, at least with perplexity. So what do these groups have in common? Why did they vote predominantly for Barack Obama?
As a good Orthodox Christian, I’ll begin by answering apophatically (that is, before explaining why, I will explain why not). The stereotypical reason given for the minority—and even the young vote—is that ‘these people’ are lazy. They want government handouts. They don’t want to work for their money. I saw many ‘jokes’ around the internet like this one: “I predict Obama will take the early lead in the polls until all the Republicans get off work to vote.” This is only funny—to people, unlike me, who think it is funny—because deep down lots of people actually believe there is truth to it. Of course, it is couched in terms of a joke, but jokes are only funny inasmuch as they reflect some sort of perceived reality. Yet this answer is not only oversimplified and stereotyped, but wrong. It is the why not.
In reality, many, if not most, ‘darker’ Americans work hard for their money. In fact, I personally know many of these Americans who work longer hours in physically more strenuous jobs than me for half the pay or less. And then they send half their money to family in other countries so they can buy something more than a one room (note: one room, not one bedroom) house. I know many younger Americans who are far from lazy, but who have rejected the workaholic attitude of their parents’ generation. They actually listened to those sermons priests like me give at funerals—no one says on their deathbed they wish they worked more hours, spent more time at the office; rather, they tend to wish they had spent more time with their family. These young people’s parents thought their children would be best served by money, opportunity, and advantage. Meanwhile, all the kids wanted was a mom and dad who loved them, spent time with them, and were happily married. Those things do not happen when you are a workaholic. Many in the younger generation are not lazy—they simply value some things more than the almighty dollar.
So let’s get to the real reason these ‘darker’ and ‘younger’ and often ‘Christian’ Americans voted for Barack Obama. We need look no farther than the President’s inspiring Election Night speech. Here are two powerful quotes, representative of the real reason Obama was re-elected:
“What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth. The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That’s what makes America great.
Near the conclusion of his speech, President Obama spoke these powerful and true words:
“We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states.”
These concepts are the real reason President Obama carried a large percentage of the minority vote, and not an insignificant number of the young Christian vote. But again, we must ask why. The reasons are both religious and cultural, yet they have this in common: all of these voting sectors are tired of the old Republican mantras of “rugged individualism” and American exceptionalism. Young Christians tend to reject these notions on biblical grounds. Minorities do not resonate with these concepts because they do not reflect their reality. Not to mention, young voters of all types increasingly understand that while the Emperor might not have no clothes, he often dresses as Jerry Jeff Walker likes his women: just a little on the trashy side. For those who do not understand this metaphor, I will say it in plain English: the younger generation realizes America makes a lot of mistakes, yet maintains an annoying arrogance. But back to the young Christians and minorities.
Since I am a ‘religious leader’ I will begin with the reason young Christians support Obama far more than older Christians. The highlighted passages from his speech last night have a biblical ring to them. When Obama spoke about “obligations” and “responsibilities,” I immediately thought of Jesus saying in Luke 12:48: “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” Ironically, this passage was part of the assigned reading today in the Orthodox Church—I read it this morning at Matins.
When the President pointed out “we are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions” I thought of Dr Nicolae Roddy’s poignant phrase when he was at our parish for our Bible Lecture Series. He said, “When God says ‘I AM’ (Exodus 3:14) it also implies ‘you are not.’” As Fr Paul Tarazi, another guest at a previous BLS, once said: “Only God looks good with an ego” (the Greek translation of Exodus 3:14 reads “ego eimi”).
Many young Christians are tired of the perceived “I built it” attitude of the Republican Party (whether that is their attitude or not, you can debate—but it is the perception). Not only is such an attitude anti-biblical, it does not reflect reality. None of us built anything on our own. And young people are well aware these days of the science behind their genesis. As the aforementioned Fr Paul once pointed out to his anxiously over-obsessed teenager, who was taking a biology class: “Son, just remember, 16 years ago you were not even a sperm in my testicle.” Armed with this factual information, how could any of us honestly think “I built it”? And is it not revealing, as Fr Paul also has pointed out, that “I” is the only capitalized pronoun in the English language?
i have four young children (no, i purposely left “i” in lower case to make a point, Microsoft Word—quit auto ‘correcting’ me). Their mother and I have changed many diapers, interrupted countless hours of sleep, spent more money than I care to imagine on them, and have made numerous other sacrifices so they may grow and thrive—with no guarantee they will turn out as we hope, mind you. I better never hear them say “I built it.” The hell you did! You would be nothing without me. I would be nothing without my parents. None of us even decided to come into this world. If my children offend me with this type of talk, how much do we offend our heavenly Father with such an attitude?
Potential religious reasons aside, minorities understand Obama’s talk about “obligations” and “responsibilities” and the “sum being greater than the individual parts” because this is their reality. I honestly do not know a single ‘successful’ (in the world’s eyes) minority in this country who is not where they are because of sacrifices made by others on their behalf, because of cooperation and collaboration. For most of them, and for a variety of reasons, the ‘nuclear family’ is not the norm. I am unaware of any minorities who are not where they are today because of grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Most minorities understand obligations, responsibilities, and the sum being greater than the individuals intuitively and naturally. They do not take for granted what most of us white folks assume: a high school diploma, a college education if we want, and the general benefit of majority status. No one questions whether or not we whites are ‘American.’ No one asks to see our birth certificate. No one asks about my three white kids, “Oh, where did you get them from?” No one assumes we white people are related because we are white, as many assume of our black daughter and other black people we hang out with from time to time.
And one final word to those who are concerned many younger Christians and minorities—or even President Obama—are ‘socialist.’ These aforementioned groups are, by and large, no more socialist than the Tea Party is fascist. Sure, there are some socialists who vote Democrat, just as there are some who vote Republican and believe certain things about ‘legitimate rape.’ But neither of these two extremes represents the respective party. Most young, Democrat Christians and minorities do not want the state to control everything—they simply want us to collectively pick up the slack so our sum is greater than the individual parts. Why? Because that is how they (correctly) understand the Bible. Why? Because the sum being greater than the parts reflects reality. To many young Christians and the vast majority of minorities, Barack Obama’s stated vision of America resonates with them more than anything they have heard lately from the Republican Party. And that, my friends, is the real reason younger Christians and minorities carried President Obama to re-election.
lifebearingwilderness 
I loved the post. But I think you tragically forgot the important role that godparents and the church in general play in minority societies, particularly those who come from Catholic or Jewish backgrounds. My experience is primarily with those of Italian, Irish, Jewish and Mexican descent. But godparents and other church “benefactors” will often do things like establish trust funds when a child comes of age or otherwise provide support to the development of young children. The most common times are Barmitzvahs and First Communion, but others apply as well. In short, I think that this communal growth is not merely an expression of family, but of religious community as well.
Nathaniel, I agree 100%. Thank you for pointing out this omission.
Nicely said, Fr. Aaron.
I wholeheartedly agree. I am pro-life and socially conservative, but as an Orthodox Christian I asked myself if the Republican party has done anything but talk about being pro- life and talk about standing for traditional marriage. Have they done anything about it? But, they did do things that hurt the poor, favor the rich, and disrespect our planet. Many of my fellow Midwestern orthodox friends and family chose the President because of our faith. My 91 year old Dad voted for the President because he saw him as a “good and honest” man. It hurts me to see that only one party is characterized as Christian -that does not help honest discourse.
That is so true, Marsha.
Very well said, thank you Father!
I might also suggest that there are a large number of the ‘young Christians’ you mention who support President Obama in no small part because they have been told by pop culture / society writ large but also in their Churches that abortion is not a sin and that gay marriage is actually marriage and what a loving God wants for all people. Therefore, these ‘young Christians’ believe that when people say they oppose so called gay marriage then they are the ones taking the anti Christian, intolerant and bigoted position. Therefore, supporting the candidate / political party who supports being tolerant and being loving of gay marriage is consistent with my worldview, as it has been given to me in society and reinforced at Church.
There was an article I read this summer that said, something like 70% of ‘young Christians’ believe gay marriage is OK, approved by God and should be given a marriage ceremony in the Church. ( I pulled up the article (from NBC News), it said, “A recent survey showed” but did not say from whom or methodology so take it for what its worth).
The Democratic convention was addressed by Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund; Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. Again, if these ‘young Christians’ have been told (like they have been in the Church not 50 yards from St. George) that abortion is acceptable, then it only makes since to support a candidate who takes this view.
I’m not saying that economic worldview is not the overarching factor, but you expressed your thoughts on that. I think it goes beyond economic, however, to a comprehensive world-view that includes some of the social issues I’ve mentioned.
Trent Sebits
Thank you, Fr. This is why I voted for the President. I cannot solely cast my ballot on the hopes that one day Roe will be overturned. I must also vote to benefit the living, those who need access to health care and living wages, the mentally ill who need treatment and financial support b/c they are unable to work, and the elderly who would be eating cat food were it not for the Great Society programs and Social Security. The Republicans really need to get their heads out of their collective you-know-whatsis on this one. It’s time the party of conservatism starts working to CONSERVE something other than rich bank accounts.
Trent,
That may be the case. It would not surprise me. But I can tell you there are many Orthodox Christians and other Christians who are pro-life who are tired of the Republican Party because they believe the Party is not representative of their opinions on much besides the abortion issue (and even then, that is a caricature as some candidates are pro-life and others pro-choice).
As to the issue of gay marriage, many Christians of all stripes are willing to concede that issue with respect to our secular government, so long as the religious institutions are not forced to perform such marriages.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Father. As a young, millenial, albeit white, voter, who is also an Orthodox Christian, this sums up precisely my reasons for voting to re-elect the President. We are tired of what we see to be rampant selfishness masquerading as “rugged individualism,” of rampant greed masquerading as “self-determination,” of the great injustice of such a small group of people hoarding wealth and resources simply because they were born lucky enough to have the “means” to do so. We want a better America, a less divided America, where everyone has an equal shot at a better life, regardless of where or to whom they were born. These are supremely Christian ideals. Anyway, you put it much better than I could, I just wanted to thank you for the breath of fresh air this was.
Thanks Father Aaron.
I voted for Mitt Romney because I’m deeply worried that we will run out of money in our national treasury with which to fund our social support programs and I don’t want to see our economy continue to collapse as we pass on this crushing debt to our children and future generations! I agree that the President is in many ways a good man. I resonate with these inspiring words from his acceptance speech, but I also think Trent Sebits, above, makes a good point. As a pro-life Christian, I could only vote for a candidate as unlimitedly pro-“choice” as President Obama, if I were absolutely convinced the alternative had no real intention of being anything more than strictly nominally pro-life.
Accidentally left this comment in the wrong spot:
Father, bless!
Thank you, Fr. This is why I voted for the President. I cannot solely cast my ballot on the hopes that one day Roe will be overturned. I must also vote to benefit the living, those who need access to health care and living wages, the mentally ill who need treatment and financial support b/c they are unable to work, and the elderly who would be eating cat food were it not for the Great Society programs and Social Security. The Republicans really need to get their heads out of their collective you-know-whatsis on this one. It’s time the party of conservatism starts working to CONSERVE something other than rich bank accounts.
Despite my understanding how important is our right to vote, I refused to vote for president in this year’s election. Single-issue voters certainly pressed me to vote against the murder-supporting (aka abortion-supporting) President. Nonetheless, I never could find grounds to taint my conscience with respect for, or support for, EITHER Mr. Obama or Mr. Romney. I am a female American of late-middle age.
I think it is important to remember we also have a right to not vote. I generally disagree with those who guilt people into feeling they ‘have’ to vote. There is a difference between not caring and caring so much you refuse to give in to one of two sides–as though there are only two ways to think in the world. I wish our system were not so limited in this respect.
Congratulations on your adoption. Are you now preparing your children to pay the hundreds of thousands your children already owe because this president has already given this money away and the kids will PAY because you voted to pass this along to them.
You voted for morally defective laws which are evil and sinful against the common good! The anchor of our commitment is to defend human life and other human rights from conception to natural death
and the fundamental obligation to respect the dignity of every human being as a child of GOD!!!!!!
The family is composed of a marriage between a man and woman. How are you going to explain what this means to your children?
Sonja,
Thanks for the congratulations on the adoption. It has been a wonderful experience.
Related to my post, there seems to be a misunderstanding. I did not indicate anywhere that I actually voted for Obama (or even if I voted at all); I simply indicated why I think so many minorities and not a few young Christians did so. Please don’t assume this was an endorsement of Obama (although I wish him nothing but the best over these next four years as our President).
One of the reasons I could never fully endorse Obama, or Romney for that matter, is because of what you mentioned with respect to the dignity of human life. Not only are both candidates either fully pro-choice or only nominally pro-life with respect to abortion, but both candidates concerned me with respect to things like drones, war, and the continued support of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Since I am consistently pro-life, I would never fully endorse either of these two main candidates for those, and other, reasons.
With respect to my values and ethics vis-a-vis marriage, I will teach my kids the values I hold. I do not rely on the government or pop culture to teach my children right from wrong. Do you only vote for candidates who criminalize divorce and adultery? Or do you think divorce and adultery are acceptable? Or do you think we should teach our children right from wrong regardless of what is or is not acceptable in pop culture? I choose the latter option.
Father, though my wife and I differ greatly on how we responded to the election this year, we both whole heartedly agree with your post. Please take a visit over at my blog to read a resounding confirmation which I wrote only days before your post! http://hairshirtagenda.blogspot.com/2012/11/why-i-can-not-support-gov-romney.html?m=1
Thanks for your post. I loved it.
-Germanus
I find this blog mind-expanding on why some people would vote for Obama.
I’ve been a single-issue pro-life voter since 1980 but have become utterly disenthralled with the GOP since George W. Bush’s second inaugural address. I’m encouraged to think that, if you’re right, there are these communitarian streams running through youth culture.
If the Republican party would actually change abortion laws. If they would actually quit funding planned parenthood with taxpayer money, (our money). If the Republican party wasn’t for the death penalty for the most part. If the Republican party was less concerned with a huge military spending budget and more concerned with the needs of hungry and/or homeless people. If, if, if… Democrat or Republican, these parties will never encompass my beliefs. A Christian is called to not be of this world…. And honestly, politics is as worldly as you can get. Power, control, money, that’s the name of that game. And I’m not going to play anymore. God bless Barack Obama and the United States. I hope he doesn’t let the American people down…
[…] I continue to reflect on a novice blogger’s second post, on the real reason Romney won the youth and minority votes. The barbarian “Movement […]
Counting on either party as a Christian is misplaced hopes. The early church turned the world upside down not by infilitrating the government but by living out their Christian faith with total commitment. They not only shared the good news but they loved the poor, the sick and gave of themselves sacrificially. Their message was backed up by the reality of what they did. This is the call for all Christians. Don’t be lazy and count on your vote for one of the candidates to be the sum total of your Chrisitan duty to help others. The only real change in our country will come as Christians live out their faith. No other hope exists. Our government borrowing money and going into deep debt to help people is not the answer any more than counting on small government to lift all ships. It is only the love of Christ declared and lived out in practical help to the poor, hurting, and helpless that will change our country.
David,
On the day after the election in 2008 I was the assigned preacher at St Vladimir’s Seminary chapel. That morning I said essentially the same things you said. In addition, I correctly predicted (as I could have done for any President) that President Obama would fall short of the hope he promised; that he would not provide the change we hoped for; that he would make mistakes, disappoint us, and fail on many occasions. President Obama, like all of us, is a man, and we are taught not to put our trust “in princes and sons of men, in whom there is no salvation.” I still believe that today–so it seems we agree.
I am hopeful your comments did not result from a misunderstanding of the intention of my blog post. The post was not an endorsement of President Obama, let alone one of the Democrat Party at large. Furthermore, of the young Christians I personally know and was referring to who sympathize more with Democrats than Republicans, I would say very few of them ‘put their trust in’ the Democrat Party or President Obama. Rather, when given the choice between the major party platforms, they sympathize more with a message of us being one mutually interdependent community than they do with a message of individualism.
Since the president took office, more than 4 million children have been slaughtered in our society – an act that he wholeheartedly embraces socially, if not personally. This is genocide of historical proportions. Those who vote for him may become complicit in the murders in some way. Those priests who support him must examine themselves very closely. The most vulnerable in our society – the unborn, and most of them “dark,” statistically, are being cut down like animals. We will all answer for how we treated them on the Day of Judgment. Are you prepared? Am I?
Jackson,
In case you did not read my responses to some other comments before posting, I will make sure you understand I did not write this blog article to support President Obama even generally, let alone on the issue of abortion. I wrote to explain why many young Christians and minorities voted for the President in this election. With respect to this election, it is interesting that the supposedly “pro-life” party ran a candidate who is, at absolute best, a lukewarm “pro-life” candidate. And still many Christians speak as though there was a legitimate, electable option for pro-life voters.
As for my preparation for the Day of Judgment, I certainly try to be and hope to be prepared. But only God will decide if I offer a good defense for my actions and inaction.
To go one step further, I came across an interesting statistic the other day. Last year more black children in New York City were aborted than were born. I am a one-issue voter until the tide turns. If we do not cry out, than their very blood will cry out, and the rocks will cry out. We cannot be silent.
I have no idea if that statistic is accurate. I do know the abortion rate in NYC is approximately twice the rate of abortion in the rest of the country. I am fairly confident there are ways to decrease that rate besides making abortion illegal. I say that not because I think abortion should be legal, but because in our current environment, where there is no indication Roe v. Wade will ever be overturned, we should look for any and all means to address the primary reasons women give for having an abortion. One thing some of us can do, if we are financially and emotionally secure, is work with local agencies to help promote affordable adoption and actually adopt children ourselves. This is one of the many reasons my wife and I decided to make an effort to adopt a child, an effort which God blessed with a beautiful baby girl we are so proud to have as part of our family now.
Father, you either voted for Obama or you didn’t. I think (judging only from your tone) that you did, and you are responsible for this decision. A sitting president can take measures from his first day in office to cut down on partial-birth and late-term abortions, immediately saving up to 100,000 lives each year of his presidency. The man you voted for immediately struck down his predecessor’s protective policies upon taking office – in his first day in the office, in fact.
Your decision to adopt is wonderful, and I don’t want to accuse you of hiding behind it. Every life is precious, and I do believe that you have saved one, and that your actions may support the saving of many more. But courage is required to stand against abortion, and for Christians, even a candidate that is moderately pro-life can save up to half a million of the most vulnerable people in our society, if they promise to do the minimum. Half a million people!
Look at the facts, please. And stand up for those who can’t defend themselves – at all costs.
Jackson, my tone has nothing to do with support for Obama, but rather a severe disappointment with the Republican Party, most especially because the party’s rhetoric and actions, in my opinion, have moved further and further away from the Christian values it claims to represent. Unfortunately, a big problem with Christianity today is it generally shies away from being self-critical (quite contrary to how the Bible was towards Israel). Consequently, any critique of that approach leads the masses to assume the person is speaking against Christianity rather than the misrepresentation of Christianity.
Even so, let’s assume I did vote for Obama. Your logic is enormously flawed. To begin with, there are about 4-5 states in this country that actually determine who wins an election. I live in Kansas, which is far from being one of those. My individual vote really counts for little, if anything, given our current political landscape.
But more importantly, I am not responsible for every action of every official I elect, most especially when I am left with functionally two choices in a presidential election. Furthermore, I am not personally responsible for a woman deciding to have an abortion. Using your logic, you are personally responsible for approximately 1,000,000 abortions each year if you voted for Romney (or Bush or McCain) because he would have done nothing to stop those non-late-term abortions. Who was morally superior–Hitler or Stalin? If you voted for Bush, you are also responsible for many thousands more deaths due to pre-emptive war. And if you voted for any candidate in the last 40-50 years you are responsible for the continued terrorism of Palestinian people in the largest open air prison in the world. The list could go on and on and on. It is absurd to blame an individual voter for every action of the president, most especially when you have two choices.
Do you blame politicians (or gun makers or stores) for every gun murder in this country? Do you blame liquor stores (or grocery stores) for drunk driving? How about every vehicle death on car manufacturers or dealerships? No, we don’t do that because it is the people who choose to murder or drive drunk who are responsible for their actions. Despite our objections, right around (or maybe more than) 50% of this country thinks Roe v. Wade should stand. Even if a state struck it down there is absolutely no evidence or indication any Supreme Court–regardless of whether there is a 5-4 conservative majority–will overturn the previous decision. That is the political reality in which we live.
As to my “courage,” I have never been blamed by anyone who knows me for lacking “courage.” You have no idea the repercussions and risk of repercussions I have or will suffer for this article. You also have no idea the many other times in my life I have stuck up for vulnerable people with significant risk for repercussion.
Finally, I do not appreciate your innuendo that I am “hiding behind” the adoption of my daughter. Saying it as you did is like the attorney who says something he wants the jury to know, realizing all along the judge will tell him it’s out of order and instruct the jury to ignore the remark–all the while knowing communication is irreversible and the thought has been planted in the jury’s mind. Your throwing the idea out there with the statement you don’t want to accuse me of it is disingenuous. If you don’t want to accuse me of it, then don’t say it.
Father,
Only as disingenuous as a priest who claims to be writing about one thing, but is actually defending his own political choices, without actually admitting who he voted for. Your tone seems wild and defensive here, and you fail to respond to the fact that a president has much legitimate power to stop some (hundreds of thousands) of abortions over a term.
I do not believe that we are culpable for every action of every politician, just because we voted for him or her. That would be crazy. But this president destroys the vulnerable when he could be saving them. And Romney would have done more and saved lives. It is reckless to act like the current president really understands the vulnerable.
I’m going to let this be my last post, and give you the last word. I’m concerned, from your defensive tone, that I am encouraging you to responses from pride and vanity, that someone would “dare to challenge you.” I say this because I know all about vanity, being vain myself.
Jackson,
Let me begin by accepting your apology (which, for some reason, appears below Heidi’s comments), thanking you for offering it, and asking you to forgive me also for my pride and vainglory, and for making you feel as if I was saying “how dare you challenge me.” I confess the sins of pride and vainglory every time I go to confession, unfortunately. God willing, and with His help, someday I will better overcome those sins. It is no surprise those sins come out in a heated exchange.
As for my insistence on not mentioning who I voted for, or if I even voted, I have decided to keep this matter private now and in the future. I feel it is wrong for me to share publicly lest others believe I am endorsing a candidate, or perhaps discouraging people from participating in our country’s political process. Earlier this year I expressed my intentions to two smaller groups (one a group of friends online, but of course I’m sure others were able to see what I said) and afterwards I realized that was a mistake. However, I believe it is important for Christians leaders to speak up about religious and moral issues. The views on abortion in the Orthodox Christian Church are well known. We are unequivocally opposed to abortion. This issue is regularly mentioned by other Orthodox Christian blogger priests, and the bishops have frequently spoken out against it. I believe our Church’s teaching on the issue is well known by our people, and could be known by anyone who does a quick google search.
What is not often expressed by our clergy is the sin of individualism that has swept this country, including not a few Orthodox Christians. It is something we often unknowingly adopt. What is not often expressed is the arrogance behind an attitude of “I work hard for my money, it’s my money, I can decide what to do with it,” or an attitude of “if they were not lazy or worked as hard as me, they would be better off also.” In my opinion, these attitudes are quite sinful and anti-biblical. In the case of the former, I will say I have met a few individuals who feel this way with respect to how the government uses their money, and I honestly believe they have absolutely pure intentions and would, in fact, use their money wisely (i.e. to assist the poor and needy) if the government took less of it. In the case of the majority, however, I think there is a much more serious disease behind the attitude. For this reason, I posted my original blog article. There was no need for me to defend my vote or lack thereof because no one had even questioned who I voted for, or if I even voted for president.
With all of this in mind, I have no problem admitting what you said is worth considering (if I thought it was not, I would not have approved your message, let alone respond to you). There is no doubt about that. I have considered that. I hope others consider it. But here is where we get to my greatest concern with the abortion discussion. In my opinion, it is unfair to tar and feather, shame, guilt, etc. fellow Christians who choose to vote for a Democrat and/or pro-choice candidate (although I would qualify that by saying if they are voting for him/her because they specifically want/encourage access to abortion I absolutely think it is sad and sinful). There are so many important issues and factors to consider, including whether one truly believes a president’s social policies will discourage women getting abortions and whether other policies of the president will lead to unjust killings in war, etc.
Add on top of that the fact none of us truly knows how a president will behave until after the fact. Politicians are known for broken promises and flip-flopping. Would Mitt Romney, with a spotty record on abortion, really make changes to decrease abortion? And how many abortions might happen if his social policies led to situations where more women felt unable/incapable of bearing a child? These are all serious considerations, in my opinion. To overlook them and to say the issue revolves merely around legality is to miss the point, in my opinion. That’s why I brought up the issue of guns, drunk driving, etc. It’s well known that alcohol-related violence decreased significantly in this country when prohibition ended. This principle seems counter-intuitive, and shows that illegalization is not always the best method to deal with an issue.
Because a Christian voter must weigh so many different issues and perspectives, I think it is absolutely wrong for us to blame our fellow pro-life Christians for the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent children simply because they did (or we assume they did) vote for a candidate besides the one who was supposedly more pro-life. I think this is even more so the case now, so many decades removed from Roe v. Wade without the slightest indication any president will challenge or seek to overturn it. Each Republican president from Reagan on had the opportunity to appoint justices to make it 5-4 in favor of overturning Roe, but in all instances they appointed one judge who would likely seek to overturn Roe and one who likely would not, keeping the 5-4 balance in favor of not overturning Roe.
I can sympathize with a pro-life Christian who says “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me” and decides to vote for a pro-choice candidate for a host of reasons, believing Roe will never be overturned or significantly altered, and believing the pro-choice candidate will promote policies that generally decrease abortion. I can also sympathize with a person who says I am going to vote for a pro-life candidate in the hopes that something is done about Roe v. Wade. At the same time, I can sympathize with a person who says, “screw it, they are all crooks, no one is serious about this, they all have policies that lead to killing and unnecessary death, so I’m not voting at all.” What I cannot understand, for the life of me, is how some fellow pro-life Christians can blame each other for choosing different candidates, let alone blame each other for the innocent death of programs they do not support, whether that be abortion, pre-emptive war, or any other host of atrocities. Unless Jesus Christ returns and runs for US President, we are left with much less than ideal choices, in my opinion.
For all of these reasons, I hesitate to even comment on politics generally. And it is the reason I waited until after the election to post a blog article on some of my thoughts. If I wanted to endorse a candidate–and I absolutely do not–I would have done it before the election, when I had an opportunity to affect people’s vote. And to be honest, to some degree I regret even making this post, in large part because many people seem to have misunderstood its intention. My intention was not at all to support Barack Obama, let alone the innocent deaths of babies, but to point out the reason why many young Christians and minorities sympathize with Obama–he speaks about us having mutual obligations to each other and the sum being greater than the individual parts. I truly believe these are Christian, biblical ideas, and I honestly do not understand why so many Christians who seem to be wed to the Republican Party, and who discredit, shame, and guilt other Christians who consider other political options, have such a strong reaction against that.
I think and hope what I have said here is also worthy of consideration. If not, I have not only wasted a great deal of time and energy, but misled people–which I consider to be a serious sin when I do so, and I pray each day that God would lead me and guide me so I would not mislead others. I pray I will do a better job respecting others in the future, and I hope I never leave people with the impression they dare not challenge me. That is certainly not the way I feel in my heart. I am a sinner, and I am always open to learning and growing.
Fr Aaron
Well said, Father, and thank you for posting these insightful words. Unfortunately, we, as Americans, only have two choices if we decide to vote. And, both political parties have their flaws, inconsistencies, and issues. I think the only thing we can do is ask ourselves what is most important to us…what is most important to fight against and/or preserve. Is it the fight against poverty, helping the sick & elderly, and helping the less fortunate as Christ taught in the New Testament? Or, is it defending the institution of marriage, making abortion illegal, and preserving family values in our society? What violence is worse: war, abortion, or the death penalty (esp. when an innocent is convicted)? Is freedom for everyone in America and what does it mean to be free? Do we believe that God created this earth for our enjoyment and pleasure, or for us to take care of and respect? I think that, if we are to believe that all sins are equal, and we KNOW that both parties are flawed, we must base our choice on our Orthodox Christian faith realizing that everyone ranks their “issues” differently. I believe we must pray about our decisions and let them weigh on our hearts. There are MANY issues at stake. Shame on anyone for attacking another person for their beliefs when, clearly, we are all using our faith to guide us.
Actually, I should end by apologizing for my tone. I think what I mentioned is worth considering, but looking back through, I’ve used plenty of barbed words and ideas, which have, I’m sure, been distracting. And you are a priest, and deserve more respectful tone.
It was good to see your apology. That puts you ahead of others I know. But at the same time your previous tone and accusations seem to me to be part and parcel of the hard core right wing pro-lifers…and that includes Christians. You pop onto this page and immediately begin accusing, judging and damning. With self righteous flare you claim all who voted for “pro-choice” presidents are guilty in some way of the murder of aborted children. You ignore the many points raised by the Fr. and keep on the attack. If what you say is correct then did you vote for Bush? Here’s the irony, abortions reached a 24 year low in the 90’s….that would be mostly under Clinton. That downward march abruptly ended when Bush was elected. See this little article: http://tinyurl.com/yz76v9x
Hundreds of millions of dollars was given to Planned Parenthood under Bush’s watch (http://tinyurl.com/9jg9ems). So again, did you vote for Bush? If so, then you are just as guilty as you say the Fr. is of being complicit in murder. It would have been better not to vote at all using your logic. The point here is that things are not so cut and dried. But I find that people like yourself do not listen you just angrily rant and accuse. So many Christians who self identify as very right wing display little but anger and vitriol. I too am an Orthodox Christian who completely opposes abortion but I no longer place my trust in the Republicans to “fix this”. Couple that w/ the other things that the Fr. listed and I have swung, out of conscience, toward a more centrist position…right leaning but not longer w/ the angry condemning hard right. I hope you take a few steps back and think about it. Your apology was very admirable and you have gained respect w/ me.
[…] there are positives. That young people and minorities are perhaps abandoning our bizarre American individualist fetish is both Christianish and politically promising, because the individualist conceit of GOP backers […]
Do you or anyone know what the percentage is of young evangelicals is that voted for Obama? Like what is the percentage of 18-35 year old christians that went Obamas way?
I have looked on the internet and have only been able to find this kind of info for the 2008 elections….nothing for this past election.
It DOES say that only about 6 1/2 million evangelicals voted for Obama, which Im gonna guess was largely the young evangelical vote. My heart broke when I saw that Romney got 80% of evangelicals.
I mean i knew he would win, but I was expecting a 65-35 or even a 60-40.I was convinced that things were starting to shift in the evangelical world. Sadly this last election showed that things are the same as they ever were.
Anyway if someone has that info please let me know. Thank you and great article.
I do not know for sure. Sorry I am not able to be of greater assistance, but thank you for your comments and feedback.
Either way i think your article is wrong. I would love to beleieve it…..and did believe it for a while, but an 80% evangelical vote for romney proves us both wrong.
And this is further evidenced by what took place in my state. Despite the efforts of a whole lot of good people, Scumbag Scott is still the governor of Wisconsin. Largely voted in by Christians mind you. Just makes a man shake his head