Vote for “All of the Above”

Last updated on: February 5, 2016 at 5:03 pm by Dwight Lee Wolter

Vote for “All of the Above” 2016-02-05T17:03:00+00:00 Dwight Lee Wolter

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In this political primary season, as much is revealed about the voters as about the candidates: I have seen photo collages of Clinton’s face showing every filling in her teeth; every grimace and angry glance; every pre-sneeze contortion; every petulant pose. I have seen anti-Semitic cartoons and captions of Sanders depicted as a mentally ill Jewish socialist and how a vote for him means there will never again be a Christmas parade. I have seen countless depictions of Trump’s hair and split-screen depictions (with ominous soundtrack) equating Trump’s political rallies with those of Hitler.

I have been told that everyone hates Cruz and I should too because he is a panderer who will do anything, including destroying nations, in order to gain the rural vote in Iowa. Bush, lest we forget, is a mommy’s boy. Rubio wears elevator shoes and if he is insecure about his height, he will be insecure about foreign and domestic policy. Huckabee and Santorum are religious fanatics who will demolish the separation of church and state. Rand Paul is a libertarian who will outlaw fire departments and foreign aid. Christie cares more about donuts than about people. I know there are other candidates, but I don’t have all day. Oh… let us not forget that the President of the United States is a Muslim.

And let us also not forget that there are wealthy, developed countries where women still have no legal right to drive a car ~ let alone run for President. There are large countries with global trade agreements that have never had an election (or at least an election that is not rigged, or with more than one candidate). There are countries where the transition of power from one government to another has never been peaceful. There are countries where religion is outlawed and persons of faith gather in secret, fearing arrest or death.

Democracy, it seems, is still in an exploratory stage. The “vote” is still out on whether it is a viable form of government in many parts of the world ~ including, perhaps, here. There are many measures of viability and success, of course, including what Jesus referred to as “the least of these” ~ our treatment of the poor, oppressed, marginalized and vulnerable in our midst.

Another measure of success is our civility, or lack of it. When we use a political candidate as a screen upon which to project our own hatred, fear and angst ~ we stumble. When we fail to see the look in our eye as we decry the look in the eye of another ~ we become blind to ourselves and to them. When we objectify, vilify and demonize people with whom we disagree ~ we become vulnerable to despotism and tyranny.

I heartily endorse all candidates. I love it that I live in a land of choices. I am proud that there is a Muslim in the U.S. Congress and that we have a socialist, a Jew and two women running for President. I love the fire of the campaign season! I even love the hot air. And I proudly look forward to the day when ~ whether I get my way or not ~ the next President of the United State will be inaugurated in a peaceful transition of power. And I will wave my flag once again, in hope and prayer that we may some day truly be, “one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

Dwight Lee Wolter is the author of many books and the pastor of the Congregational Church pf Patchogue on Long Island, New York. He blogs at dwightleewolter.com

Religion and Politics

christianity

politics

presidential campaign

progressive christianity

religion and politics

social justice

Previous Post

February 4, 2016

The 10 Truths of Modern Youth Ministry

Next Post

February 9, 2016 The Sweet and Sour Soup of Lent

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advent Author Interviews Battle Over the Body and Blood of Christ Bearing Beauty Book Reviews Christian Education christian spirituallity christianity Christmas Church Church Leadership Contemplation Creation Care Death and Dying Death Penalty Disruptive Change Disruptors Series Easter Education Evolution and Faith Future of Progressive Christianity Gun Violence Health & Wellness Holy Week Interfaith Israel-Palestine Leading Differently Lent LGBTQ Living with Cancer Meditations on the Cross Mental Illness millennials Mimetic Mondays Monday Meditations Movie Reviews New Monasticism Pando Populus Parenting Patheos 10+1 Q&A Series PC(USA) Politics Pop Culture Practical Theology Series Prayer progressive christian Race Relations Reformation religion Religion and Politics Religion in America Rethink Church Social Justice Spirituality Spirituality of the Body Stump a Scholar Technology and Faith Thanksgiving Theodicy Trust Me Church Uncategorized Why I'm Still Christian Youth Ministry

Select a Month December 2025 April 2025 January 2025 September 2023 September 2022 May 2022 February 2022 January 2022 November 2021 October 2021 May 2021 February 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 June 2020 May 2020 March 2020 June 2019 March 2019 January 2019 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! What is this valley also called?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The valley of Kidron The valley of Megiddo The valley of Jehoshaphat The valley of judgment