National Council of Churches
tells you how you should vote
By John H. Adams, The Layman , August 4, 2008
The National Council of Churches, of which the Presbyterian Church (USA) is one of the most generous members, has issued its “10 principles for casting a Christian vote” in the 2008 election.
In a preface to the principles, the ecumenical organization says it does not endorse any political party or candidate. But the “principles” are based on a liberal political view that supports the redistribution of income, aggressive social policies in urban and rural areas, global cooperation, a green agenda, “fair immigration” and combating “xenophobia” (fear of strangers).
Leaders of the NCC claim that “our Christian faith compels us to address the world through the lens of our relationship to God and to one another.” But little of the content of the 10 principles and few of its recommendations seem tied to a relationship with God. Instead, the NCC looks repeatedly to “political leaders” to resolve the issues.
The NCC presents its principles in lofty terms about its involvement but expresses its opposition to Christian groups that that deal with some of the same issues in a manner that focuses on Christ and Scripture. The NCC says it hopes that “… religion and the integrity of our democracy will be protected as candidates refrain from using faith-based organizations and institutions for partisan gain.” The NCC has often lobbied for its own partisan gain.
Not all its principles are consistent, including the first.
- “War is contrary to the will of God,” the NCC says. But in the next sentence, it adds, “While the use of violent force may, at times, be a necessity of last resort, Christ pronounces his blessing on the peacemakers. We look for political leaders who will make peace with justice a top priority and who will actively seek nonviolent solutions to conflict.” How can war be contrary to the will of God and necessary, too?
- “God calls us to live in communities shaped by peace and cooperation.” True to its agenda, the NCC views government as the solution to urban and rural populations that live in “hopelessness.” It does not call on the church or families to lead nor does it ask for aggressive enforcement of laws to collect court-ordered family support. “We look for political leaders who will rebuild our communities and bring an end to the cycles of violence and killing,” the NCC says.
- “God created us for each other, and thus our security depends on the well being of our global neighbors. We look for political leaders for whom a foreign policy based on cooperation and global justice is an urgent concern.” The NCC does not deal with the reality that many nations will not cooperate despite the good intentions of those who want them to help solve world problems. Neither does it address the unwillingness of the United Nations to protect the rights of citizens in nations that are under the rule of oppressive leaders.
- “God calls us to be advocates for those who are most vulnerable in our society. We look for political leaders who yearn for economic justice and who will seek to reduce the growing disparity between rich and poor.” As it has done for decades, the NCC continues to call for redistribution of income and a government-controlled economy.
- “Each human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite worth. We look for political leaders who actively promote racial justice and equal opportunity for everyone.” Again, the NCC puts its confidence in political leaders and not in Christians who believe life is too sacred to be aborted.
- “The earth belongs to God and is intrinsically good. We look for political leaders who recognize the earth’s goodness, champion environmental justice, and uphold our responsibility to be stewards of God’s creation.” In a tract about global warning, the NCC presents unproved scenarios, including an argument that global warming will cause the deaths of more blacks because they have become concentrated in big cities.
- “Christians have a biblical mandate to welcome strangers. We look for political leaders who will pursue fair immigration policies and speak out against xenophobia.” The NCC wants “fair immigration policies,” but fair for whom? It opposes constructing any barrier that would make it more difficult for immigrants to cross U.S. borders illegally. With rate exception, it opposes immigration reform that would require illegals to leave the United States.
- “Those who follow Christ are called to heal the sick. We look for political leaders who will support adequate, affordable and accessible health care for all.” Does the NCC’s position on health care extend to socialized medicine as practiced in much of Europe and Canada – systems whose delivery of medical services is far below the level in the United States?
- “Because of the transforming power of God’s grace, all humans are called to be in right relationship with each other. We look for political leaders who seek a restorative, not retributive, approach to the criminal justice system and the individuals within it.” Will political leaders pull off this miracle? No, but ministries like Charles Colson’s Prison Fellowship are significantly reducing recidivism by teaching prisoners about the Christian faith and training them for a changed life after their sentences end.
- “Providing enriched learning environments for all of God’s children is a moral imperative. We look for political leaders who advocate for equal educational opportunity and abundant funding for children’s services.” The District of Columbia spends nearly $25,000 per student in its public schools and still has what is believed to be one of the worst school systems in the nation. Many argue that a better solution for district children would be vouchers that allowed them to purchase a private education at much lower cost.