All right, this is the first post (I think) where I'm gonna get into some controversial topics.
I'm just gonna put this out there: the presidential election is coming up later this year, and there has been much talk about it. And I'll be honest, I don't know as much I wish I do, regarding what democrats and republicans (and the other parties) stand for, but looking at the candidates for this upcoming election, I agree most with the ideas of Bernie Sanders. He's of the democratic party, and I've been raised in a republic household (also republic extended family, like I honestly cannot think of a single family member who is democratic). So I'd probably get some fire if I voice my agreements with Bernie Sanders. Also, I will be learning more about each candidate - and each party - and what they stand for, and my opinion may change before elections occur.
Anyways, what inspired this post was a Facebook status from a friend (a man in his 50s), noting that Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz are all committed Christians, so he would be satisfied if any of the three won the election.
And that prompted me to think... is it important that our nation be run by a Christian leader?
My initial instinct is to say yes, of course it does, because a Christian leader should inevitably encourage our nation to be more Christian-oriented, and, as a Christian, I would like that.
But the truth is that our nation cannot be classified as a "Christian nation." (Keep in mind that I do believe that the United States were founded on Christian foundation, and let's not forget that the founders of our nation were prompted largely by the prospect of religious freedom.) However, in the present day, there is an incredible amount of people in our nation who are of other religions - or no religion at all.
The president of the US should be a reflection of the people of the nation, and, because of the religious demographics of the US today, it wouldn't be absolutely necessary for the president to be Christian to reflect the people. (That's kind of sad, in my opinion. I don't endorse it. But that's the way it is.)
Don't take this to mean that the president should not be Christian.
There are many aspects that people will or will not agree with a candidate on. These range from economic aspects to social aspects to military aspects... and, while (according to me, at least, and other Christians) faith is the only opinion that matters, it isn't the only thing that requires an opinion. Again, though faith is basically the only thing holds weight in the end... we are electing a leader of our nation, not a leader of our church.
There are many decisions that a president will have to make that do not have anything to do with his religion. If it comes down to one man who is not a Christian but has a better understanding of what decisions to make when it comes to military involvement, health care, etc. versus a Christian man who is not equally equipped to made the wiser decisions regarding these matters, it should be evident that the non-Christian man would, in this case, be a more competent in the position as the leader of our nation.
I would appreciate having a president who proclaims his faith and love for God.
But I understand that the nation in which I reside does not determine my faith. It doesn't matter to God that I live in America. God will not love me - or any Christians - any less just because our country no longer collectively identifies with him, or that it is no longer led by one of his followers.
Our own walk with God is our own walk with God. I don't need the president to validate my faith.
