I’m a devout Christian who was raised in the Full Gospel denomination with Pentecostal tradition. I understand quite well how our faith and beliefs can influence our world view, political ideology, and our vote. Our end goal is to get into heaven on the basis of our life choices here on Earth. However, until we get to heaven, we have some earthly business to address.
First and foremost, we have to prioritize our own health. We can’t adequately minister to anyone if we’re sick. Now, ask yourself who is fighting to ensure that you have healthcare coverage? Who is fighting to cover and lower your prescription medication? It’s okay to believe God for your healing, but in the meantime, we have to go and see a doctor. Try telling your doctor that you’ll pay for the bill with thoughts and prayers.
I know many of us are on Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and SNAP (food stamps). You are working 40 hours per week, being underpaid, and still struggling to make ends meet. Who is fighting to protect your governmental assistance from cuts? Who is fighting against corporate greed to raise your wages and improve your overall quality of life?
On Morality: I know we want to judge the “sin” in other people’s lives and their personal choices, but we need to focus on our own quality of life first! We can’t pour from an empty cup. Worry about yourself!
Your party has you focused on whether two consenting adults can marry and what reproductive choices a mother makes with her doctor. Meanwhile, they are cutting funding to the programs you rely on to survive. They are constantly attempting to cut Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP (food stamps), WIC, and funding for education.
The richest lawmakers in the wealthiest country in the world have convinced us who are poor, struggling, and living paycheck to paycheck, that we must “pull ourselves up” while they give corporate welfare to the wealthiest people and corporations in the country. Any system that makes the poor and middle class pay more in federal taxes than the wealthiest corporations is egregiously and fundamentally flawed.
Poor Republicans, can we keep it real? It’s time for some honest introspection. Has conservative media indoctrination combined with your stereotypical ideas about black and brown people made you blind to the fact that they want the same thing as you? They don’t want more or less, just an equal opportunity to live the American dream. What good does denying gay marriage and women’s reproductive choice do for you? How can you “save the babies” when you can’t even save yourself? What has your religious ideological vote done for you? Has it covered your medical expenses, put food on your table, paid for your child’s education through grade school and college, or improved your own quality of life? If not, shouldn’t that be your primary concern? Are you voting for a Republican out of tradition or because you’ve researched how their policies affect you and your family?
As a fellow Christian, we have a mandate to demonstrate the love and compassion shown to us for all of God’s creation. The Bible gave us a perfect lesson for how we are to treat each other in Matthew 25:35-40 (NLT).
35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality?
38 Or naked and give you clothing?
39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
