Examining The Christian Duty of Informed Voting: A Deeper Look

An Exploration of Candidates Like Andy Beshear

Introduction

In the United States, elections are a fundamental aspect of our democratic system, allowing citizens to participate in shaping the future of the nation. For Christians, voting is not just a civic duty but also a reflection of their values and principles. In this article, we will explore the importance of informed voting in United States elections from a Christian perspective and take a closer look at candidates like Andy Beshear to better understand what they stand for.

The Christian Call to Civic Engagement and Informed Voting

Christianity has a long history of encouraging civic engagement and social responsibility. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors, seek justice, and promote righteousness. Voting is a practical way to fulfill these biblical mandates. It allows Christians to have a say in shaping policies that can impact their communities, protecting the vulnerable, and advocating for justice.

Stewardship of God’s Creation

One of the key aspects of the Christian faith is the idea of stewardship, which extends to the care of God’s creation. Christians are called to take care of the environment and all living creatures on Earth. This responsibility extends to the political realm, as the choices made by elected officials can have significant impacts on the environment and even more importantly, people. There is no doubt that God sets people at the top of His creation in terms of value. Man rules over the animals, we are created in His image, and so on. Therefore, it’s arguable that the care of our fellow man should be the most important aspect in our stewardship.

Caring for God’s creation involves addressing issues such as climate change, pollution, and the preservation of natural resources as well as human rights. Voting for candidates who prioritize environmental policies can align with Christian values. This includes support for renewable energy, conservation efforts, and responsible land use planning.

One of the ways in which Andy Beshear has demonstrated his commitment to environmental stewardship is through his support for renewable energy initiatives. By encouraging the growth of clean energy sources, Beshear promotes a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, which is in line with the Christian call for responsible stewardship of God’s creation.

Protecting the Vulnerable

Let’s look at how Andy Beshear stacks up here…

1. Handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic: One of the most significant challenges faced by Governor Beshear during his tenure was the COVID-19 pandemic. While he implemented measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus, such as lockdowns and restrictions, it can easily be argued that these measures had negative economic and mental health impacts on vulnerable populations, including small business owners and those already struggling financially. A major point that often gets overlooked is how much our freedom and rights were trampled during this pandemic. Andy Beshear himself, ordered KSP (Kentucky State Police) to take note of license plate numbers, so as to identify people, that were going to church during the pandemic….on Easter Sunday no less. What happened to our freedom of religion and our freedom to peaceably assemble?
2. Education: While Andy Beshear has worked to increase education funding in Kentucky, some critics may argue that the state’s education system still faces challenges, particularly in underprivileged communities. Issues like achievement gaps and disparities in educational outcomes persist, which can be seen as a failure to adequately protect the vulnerable, specifically students from low-income backgrounds. On top of that, he’s opposed to the true freedom of education, meaning that he is opposed to school choice. For Homeschools and other private schools, this means no funding. Homeschool families and other private school folks are still required to pay school taxes on everything, but don’t get to directly benefit from any of those funds. Education is the responsibility of the parents/family and it’s up to them to choose what and where they think is best for their children’s education.
3. Criminal Justice: While Governor Beshear has advocated for criminal justice reform, critics may argue that the reforms have not gone far enough to address systemic issues. Some may claim that vulnerable populations, especially minority communities, continue to face disproportionate representation in the criminal justice system, and more comprehensive reforms are needed to protect their rights and well-being.
4. Economic Recovery: During his tenure, Kentucky, like many other states, faced economic challenges. Critics may argue that the recovery efforts were insufficient to protect vulnerable communities, including those who lost their jobs or experienced economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic especially with most of that was caused by Beshear’s policies and executive orders.

Promoting Justice and Compassion

The Bible places a strong emphasis on justice and compassion. Christians are called to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God. Voting for candidates who work to reform the criminal justice system, promote justice (even at the executive and judicial levels), and help those in need can reflect these Christian principles.

Abortion has been a major front burner issue in Kentucky off and on through the years. This was no different during Andy Beshear’s time in office. Going back to the COVID-19 era, he allowed abortion clinics to remain open and deemed them to be essential but insisted that churches and funeral homes were not. Meaning that we weren’t “allowed” to go to church or to attend funerals of loved ones but could “safely” go abort our babies if we wanted. How ludicrous is that? It certainly doesn’t align with compassion.

Promoting equality is another way in which candidates can reflect Christian values. Christians believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, and they advocate for equal treatment and opportunities for all. Policies that work to protect the unborn are very important for Christian consideration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, voting diligently in United States elections is a vital expression of Christian faith and civic responsibility. It allows Christians to uphold their values, advocate for justice, and protect the vulnerable. It is very crucial to research candidates thoroughly and make informed choices, candidates like Andy Beshear exemplify that. We must try to find a candidate that has the alignment of Christian values with public policies.

As Christians, our duty is not just to pray for change but to be agents of change by participating actively in the democratic process and voting for candidates who reflect our values and principles. Ultimately, informed voting can be seen as a pivotal task and a way to contribute to the betterment of society in line with one’s faith. We also must always strive to remain focused on our humility and love for our fellow man.