Pray Vote Stand Panel Weighs in on Christian Voting Principles
- Peyton Garland iBelieve Editor
- Updated Oct 08, 2024
On day two of this year's Pray Vote Stand summit, panel leaders discussed how Christian voters should address politicians who compromise morals for voter persuasion, encouraging Christians to stand against the tide that begs for watered-down policies to appeal to the majority. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins spearheaded the discussion by hosting "Principles vs. Practicals: Why Biblical Values Matter More than Political Expedience," highlighting the low points of today's "conservative" politics.
This year, the Republican Party voted 84-14 to loosen abortion ban policies from a federal level and soften their once-conservative views regarding same-sex marriage. This lax approach to political "ethics" has many Christians wondering who to vote for—or if they should vote at all.
Them Before Us, an organization that promotes the child's needs over the adult's wants, was represented at this year's summit by Founder Katy Faust, who explained that policy issues should be addressed and voted on through the "lens of elevating the child," which fosters a healthy, successful country. Faust continued: "There's something about prioritizing children, elevating their rights, elevating their needs above what it is that adults want that actually leads to a flourishing society. I think that should be the lens through which you view every major issue, whether it's economic, whether we're talking about national security, or whether we're talking about the main cultural issues."
Many Christians have voiced their disappointment in Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has softened his stance on abortion, kicking it back to individual states and expressing concern with Florida's conservative six-week abortion ban. Trump's criticism, calling it what he thought many Republican colleagues would consider "too harsh," has received backlash from Republican conservatives who want to stand firm on their pro-life policies. Live Action Founder and President Lila Rose shared in a recent tweet, “Trump is embarrassing himself by abandoning pro-life voters and the children we are fighting for. Florida and Gov DeSantis should be applauded for protecting life...”
The former president has received further speculation after his wife, Melania, shared in her best-selling book that she strongly believes women have the right to terminate a pregnancy. She wrote that it's "imperative to guarantee” women have reproductive rights “based on their own convictions.” Some believe Trump hopes to use his wife's stance to soften his look toward voters who hold staunch pro-choice convictions, compromising a moral stance for political gain.
Meanwhile, Robert George, the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, was on the summit panel, sharing that Republican leaders have diluted their political views because Republican voters have let them. We haven't made them earn our vote.
George, a legal scholar and philosopher, explained that conservative Christian voters could learn a thing or two from Democratic voters, notably how they don't allow their politicians to bend against liberal voters' views. The people speak up, push back, and refuse to vote for candidates who don't adhere to their specific convictions. They lobby, they rally, and they showcase an unwavering rebuttal.
George said, "We should never again allow ourselves to be in a position where we have no leverage, where politicians don't think they have to earn our votes in order to get our votes."
WATCH: Principles vs. Practicals | Pray Vote Stand Summit 2024
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Family Research Council
