It is widely believed, and supported by reasonable evidence, that if Christians had voted in larger numbers in 2012 instead of sitting it out, Obama would not have won the election. While there are some who do not believe this, it cannot be denied that the Christian community could be having far more political impact than it currently does, simply by participating in the process. And this is where Ben Carson comes in.
In his speech Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference — also known as CPAC — in which he announced the end of his campaign, Carson also announced his new job as national chairman of My Faith Votes.
My Faith Votes is a non-partisan group that focuses primarily on getting Christians to vote in elections. Its self-described objective is to “rise up as a relevant and non-partisan movement of the church in America that will motivate believers to act on their faith by casting an informed vote based on a biblical worldview.
“What I love about My Faith Votes is it helped people to recognize that being a person of faith does not delete the responsibility to take part in the society in which you are living,” Carson said. “Someone’s faith is integrated into everything one does, so clearly it will have an impact on everything they do, including their voting. This moment in history is perhaps the most critical period in the history of the United States.
“People of faith can make a difference, when you look at the number of evangelicals, 25 million who didn’t vote last time. And the margin of difference between the candidates, 5 million votes. You can see that it would have made the biggest difference. Last time was critical, but this time it’s life and death in terms of America as we know it. We absolutely must take this opportunity to make ourselves be felt.”
Scripture enjoins Christians, in Mark 12:17, to “render unto Caesar” what is Caesar’s. This passage is typically used to explain that God’s people must pay taxes and obey the law. But giving to our nation what is due it can also encompass voting. Our right to choose our leaders was won by the blood of our founders and our military. There are nations around the world, who are gripped in tyranny and brutality, where they cannot choose their leaders and can only dream of such freedom. We dare not waste our vote sitting on the couch when so many have no choice at all. Christians should vote. Because freedom not exercised will soon be freedom lost. My Faith Votes has an honorable mission and now, an honorable national chairman in Ben Carson.
I live in Newark, DE, am married, and the mother of four children; Liam, Brenna, Keira and Erin. I am also a full time Bible teacher and have a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from West Chester University.