I'm Evangelical and I voted for Obama

It's true. I voted for Obama, but this is the first time I've ever voted for a Democratic candidate for POTUS. I've only been of age to vote in 3 previous Presidential Elections, making this my fourth. And now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I messed up in 2000 and missed the vote because I was away at college and didn't do absentee. So this is my 3rd vote for POTUS, and like I said, the first for a Democratic Candidate. Now I am asking myself, "Why?".

I think I voted Republican previously because of fear, and this year I was tired of being motivated by fear. Fear of abortion running rampant through our society. Fear of government controlling every aspect of our lives. Fear of higher taxes and more government spending. Fear of the moral breakdown of society. Really, I think I was raised to believe that abortion was the number one issue, and don't vote for anyone that "supports" it. I am pro-life, and I still am. I think abortion should be very rare, and only when absolutely necessary. But this year, I decided that wasn't the highest priority issue.

I was afraid to tell people who I planned to vote for before the election. And I am afraid to write this now. Why? Because I know I might lose friends, have family who won't talk to me, and lose fellowship with some Christians in my church (our Church). It is risky for me to say I voted for Obama, because I don't know what my Republican friends might do or say to me or about me. But I'm deciding that it's worth the risk to tell you what I want my vote to mean.

It means I'm tired of the non-listening, ear-plugging, fear-inspiring, non-reality, perception management that I seem to see/hear among conservatives. It really needs to stop. We need to come together as US Citizens, as Americans, and work together for a better country. I shouldn't have to live afraid of losing friends and family just because I approach issues differently than you do.

Here's another reason I voted for Obama. It seems to me that the Republican party (conservatives) exist to protect the rich and people who want to be left alone. Then, they do and say whatever it takes (whether it is reality or not), whether it's ethical or not) to convince the not-rich to agree with them. I don't want to be a part of that. I don't mind people earning money and being rich, but I don't think we should have a system where the rich get richer, while the poor get poorer. I could be wrong about the Republicans/Conservatives, and I hate to generalize them all together like that, but that's the perception I have of them. And we all know that "perception is reality."

So what now?

I am Evangelical. I want people to know and experience Christ and live out their faith in such a way that it transforms the world around us into the Kingdom of God. I am not a Democrat, but I am not Republican either. I'm in the middle. I think Ed Stetzer points out some good things about where we go from here in his blog today: http://www.edstetzer.com/2012/11/the-people-have-spoken---what.html

I also think John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, has a good reminder for us, as recorded in his journal on Oct. 6, 1774: "I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them, 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy: 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against: And 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side."

So, yes I voted for Obama. No, I don't think tons of bad stuff is going to happen now. If we work together, we will find a way forward. I guess that makes me a progressive Evangelical Christian, hopeful for a better America that's not motivated by fear, but by the possibility of a brighter future for everyone.