8 Questions Every Christian Should Ask of Political Candidates

Last updated on: June 17, 2015 at 10:08 am by Billy Kangas

8 Questions Every Christian Should Ask of Political Candidates 2015-06-17T10:08:24-04:00 Billy Kangas

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The primary season is now well underway here in the United States. Candidates from both parties are entering into the ‘ring’ and as they do so the direction of our political campaign is beginning to form. Right now candidates are listening closely. In the political climate of the 21st century the next president is often the one is able to first articulate a vision of the future that strikes the heart of the nation. Obama did it in 2008 with his message that change could indeed happen, and new paths could be forged. Bush did it with the message of a compassionate conservatism.

Our candidates are looking for their own magic bullet… a way to cast a vision for the USA that can win them the highest office. They are listening and listening intently.

This is why it’s important to begin asking them the right questions, and I mean this literally. We need to start picking up our pencils and writing to the campaigns. If there is a time to get priorities in place now is it! I have written about letter writing as a spiritual discipline in the past now is the time to start putting that discipline into action.

Now is also a time to start asking ourselves some difficult questions. In my own life election season is one of great anxiety. The future of our world can be greatly impacted by the kinds of people we have in positions of power. There are many injustices and dangers in our word which will require national and global leadership to surmount. There are no easy answers to any of these questions, but I think it is time we start asking good questions of ourselves and of our candidates.

What are the key values that a leader needs to have
This is an essential starting point. There are some leaders who I disagree with on a lot of things, but hold to the same essential values. There are others who match me well on paper, but who are governed by a set of values quite different from my own. I would rather have a person who shares an essential value with me but disagrees with me on the particulars of implementation. As a Catholic I have found a good starting point for this is a look at the 7 themes of Catholic social teaching.

Do they promote the Life and Dignity of every Human Person?
– No matter how old or young, in the womb or in hospice
– no matter what they have done,
– no matter how productive they are
– No matter where they were born
– No matter their wealth
– no matter their race
– no matter their sexual orientation
– no matter what!
Do they value the family and local communities as the essential organizational units of society?
– supporting subsidiarity, allowing the smallest capable group to make decisions but also recognizing the need for national and global leadership in addressing national and global issues?
– supporting efforts to ensure no group is disenfranchised
– encouraging programs that allow stronger families by empowering parents more time and resources in raising and educating their children, and strengthening children’s ability to care for their parents as they get older
– encouraging and equipping local organizations, businesses and faith communities to address the needs of their own communities
Do they protect the rights of every person?
– Opposingthe death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, and war whenever possible recognizing each as a tragic violation of the right to life of both innocent and guilty?
– Fighting to preserve to right to food by helping create stable economies and secure safety net programs for the most vulnerable people both at home and abroad
– Assuring due-process and a fair trial for everyone
– Condemning torture, discrimination, slavery, and human-trafficking
– Promoting organization for workers, and fair treatment for all employees
Do they evaluate the treatment of the Poor and Vulnerable as the benchmark of how successful the nation is?
– Over GDP
– Over international influence
– Over trade agreements
– Over the NASDAQ or S&P 500
Do they view the economy as primarily a way to serve people and not the other way around?
– Promoting fair wages
– Supporting the right to organization
– Creating safe workplaces
– Promoting fair treatment of workers regardless of legal status
Do they work to promote the common good of the whole human family, no matter what nationality race or creed
– before American comforts
– in all trade agreements
– in international relationships
– in economic policy
Do they promote a respect and stewardship of the earth
– Working for sustainable energy solutions
– Preserving the diversity of life on earth
– Working for prober regulation on waste
– Providing an ecological evaluation on the technologies we develop and use
Do they demonstrate an ability to cooperate and work together with people with different values and ideas?
– Avoiding gridlock as a political stratagem
– Willing to compromise on non-essentials
– Seeking the middle ground above extremes whenever possible

This list provides me with a good starting point. I don’t know if there is anyone running who will fit all of these values, but this is where I would like to see my nation head. The next step is to look at each candidate and see how they match up. If there are areas of agreement, I will send a note encouraging them in those areas but if there are conflicts between their platform and my values I will let them know too.

How might your list of values and questions be different?

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