A few weeks ago when President Obama announced his support for gay marriage, many in our nation were stunned, some horrified. I can’t say that I was surprised that he feels this way but I was surprised that he chose to let the rest of us in on his opinion. Since the announcement I have heard a multitude of opinions on gay marriage and on the president himself; some more reasonable than others and some more hateful than others.
My own initial reaction was that I wouldn’t vote in the presidential election. I could not conceive of supporting a president who claimed to be Christian but didn’t seem to hold the Bible in the same place of esteem that I do. If Barack Obama would not uphold God’s Word then I would not uphold Barack Obama. I also would not cast my vote for his opposition who has a faith that I view as nothing more than a mockery of my own. These were my initial reactions, but like the presidents view on gay marriage, my view on him has evolved.
After much contemplation I have come to the conclusion that I must give my support to the president. He is the only reasonable choice. Yes we differ in our view of same sex marriage and yes we obviously differ in our view of Scripture, but he remains the only reasonable choice. For me, he is the best choice because though we have differences I am confident that when he seeks the council of God that he is seeking that council from the same God that I am. Like us all, President Obama is a flawed and imperfect Christian, but a Christian he is.
There are some who would have us remove our faith from consideration when it comes time to cast a vote. They say that religion has no place in making such an important decision. I say that religion and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is paramount in choosing a leader. I believe that it is our great responsibility to consider the faith of those seeking to represent us. How can a non-believer or a false believer represent me or anyone else in the family of Christ? I would take a Christian president who I disagreed with any day over a non-Christian president who saw eye to eye with me on literally everything else.
Barack Obama is wrong for advocating gay marriage and anything else in opposition to God’s Word. He is wrong for unduly influencing other Christians to share his opinion. He is wrong and yet he remains the most reasonable and only acceptable choice that a Christian can make in this year’s presidential election. This is why I am sticking with the president.