Vote Your Values

What does it mean to vote your values?  I missed the “Values Voter Summit” in September.  It is hosted by the Family Research Council and is held annually for American social conservative activists.  The first summit was held in 2006.  The key issues for values voters are opposition to abortion and to same-sex marriage, and a strong national defense.  The LA Times describes this conference as a combination of rally, revival meeting, political convention and bazaar.”  Featured guests have included Bill O’Reilly, VP Pence, Ben Carson, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Michele Bachman, and other conservative figures.  The summit is sponsored by the American Family Assoc., the Heritage Foundation, Liberty University, and Gary Bauer’s American Values.

Vote your values?  Are your values in opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and a strong national defense?  Are these your priorities for your government “of the  people, by the people, for the people?”  Are your values in opposition to capital punishment (the sanctity of life), all persons being created free and equal (to love), and vigorous diplomacy as a valid form of defense?  Values are the things you believe are important.  They determine your priorities. 

Do you get confused as I sometimes do about this business of voting your values?  Do you know what YOUR values are (what Your priorities are for Your government)?  Your values and my values get stomped on and squashed when we are inundated with “Texas values, British values, American values, Family values, Christian values, Jewish values, Republican values, Democratic values and all the other “values” out there.  You see, the so-called “Christian” values may not be “Christian” at all—they are the values of those who call themselves “Evangelical and Born Again Christians in America” or as “Bible believing Evangelical Christians in America.” There are other Christians (all around the world and not limited to America) who claim Christianity and who do not hold these same values. For example, one of these Bible believing Evangelical Christians in America writes, “The Democratic Party ignores or opposes Christians in the areas of abortion, marriage and religious liberties and other important values.”   Does this mean that if you are a part of the Democratic Party, you are not Christian and therefore oppose Christian values? The same is true of so-called “American values.”  Donald Trump and his supporters represent values they call American, but which I abhor, because they go against the grain of my most cherished American (and I would add, Christian) values.  

Do you value honesty?  Do you value people of all walks of life, all religious persuasions?  Do you value freedom for all or just for you?  Do you want everyone to be cared for or just you and yours?  What are your values?  What are your priorities?  Vote your values—but be sure before doing so, you know what Your real values are.