Be prepared before you vote

Elections are approaching and as a Bible-believing Christian I'm having to do some serious study and thinking in order for my vote to be for the glory of God. "Sitting this one out," in spite of our painfully inadequate candidates is not an option, because there is an interdependency connecting my politics and my faith.

Also, Jesus, when on earth, made it abundantly clear that, although He has no interest or intent in establishing any kind of military or political rule, he never excused his followers from their civic responsibilities. I will, therefore, be exercising my privilege as a citizen to vote and not privatizing my values.

Along with my sense of personal responsibility to vote, I strongly believe it is the duty of every citizen to be involved in our political process. I write to encourage everyone to prepare yourself to do your duty well.

The persons for whom I vote and the policies I advocate will unapologetically express my Christian values. Your choice of candidate and policies may be contrary to mine, but you have an equal right to express yourself and to seek to have your convictions considered and elected. This is one of the precious inheritances of every American.

My preparations to vote have begun with a detailed study of our constitution. May I suggest you begin there too!

Why begin with a study of the constitution? Because we need to understand exactly what the founders of our republic wrote into our bill of rights. Both candidates for the Presidency are making promises. Are they promises and rights, which were guaranteed to us in our Constitution? Or were we merely guaranteed the right by our Constitution to pursue these things by personal application and hard work using our God given individual gifts? Near the beginning of our Declaration of Independence it states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights. Among these are the Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

The Constitution makes a direct connection between creature and Creator. Going even further to say that actually our rights come from our Creator, (and not from a nation, a president, a Congress or judge). Scripture teaches that "the Lord, He is God, it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves." Ps. 100:3 In these words God establishes a basis of ownership with all humanity. The choice is left to us to believe that or not, but God says He made us in His likeness, we are the work of His hands and this is a claim to ownership.

This truth antedates the existence of any government and it carries with it the obligation of the created to the creator. It also sets forth the creator's responsibility to that which he created. Our forefathers, having fought valiantly to free themselves from England's rule, hammered out our Constitution and Bill of Rights in a historical context and no study of the Constitution will be complete without an understanding of the history within which it was framed.

There are both political and social agendas afoot today which have no hesitation in destroying the original intent of our founders, our Constitution or our Bill of Rights. Knowingly or unknowingly, they also destroy faith and trust in the living God and seek to have us put our trust in a man, an elected official, a congressman, senator or an upcoming president. The Bible has a name for this transfer of trust ... idolatry.

Do you know what rights you are guaranteed in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Can you nail those rights down? Are you examining both of our presidential candidates on the basis of who will promote, protect and preserve those rights? Study what is stated to be your right in your Constitution and study alongside it what your preferred candidate is promising you. See if it is a guaranteed right in the Constitution.

As I continue my study, if you are interested, I'll check back with you on issues that are before us in this election. Meantime, happy studying!

Mary Dorsey, Blacksburg, S.C.