| I absolutely agree with the idea that we should pray for guidance with weighty decisions such as who to vote for president. Some say that people are "over thinking" the issues and they need to go with their gut and do the right thing. What troubles me is that I see many people who don't seem to be "over thinking"--they don't seem to be thinking at all! We've got a nation of sheep, ready to follow whoever says the right catch phrases. It's quite frustrating. Unfortunately, a person's understanding of "what is right" is often the result of cultural acclimation or societal norms and not necessarily based in principles of Universal Truth. Issues regarding Domestic and International policy are complex, which is why it is so very, very important to go back to the Constitution and act in the way it outlines.
Therefore, I do feel that God expects us to study things out--*really* study them before asking Him for guidance and making such important decisions.
D&C 9:8 "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must astudy it out in your bmind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your dbosom shall eburn within you; therefore, you shall ffeel that it is right."
In the case of politics, I believe that it's essential for us as citizens to familiarize ourselves with the philosophical writings that the Founding Fathers read in preparation for writing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Without understanding those philosophical underpinnings, we lack the tools needed to correctly interpret their intent and we also lack the tools to discern what current political candidates or laws are in line or out of line with Constitutional principles.
I strongly believe that it is our duty as citizens to do our part of sincerely studying the important history of our Nation's Founding so that we *can* then be led by the Spirit to choose worthy representatives in our government. I may be stepping on toes here, but I don't feel that we can or should rely solely on the Spirit because I don't believe that God can really take our request for guidance seriously if we don't take the time and effort to do some legwork on our own. He expects us to use the brains He has given us to study, make decisions, and pray for confirmation.
If a child came to me with a serious decision to be made and said "Mom, which one should I do?" I'd want that child to spend time thinking about each choice in detail before coming to me for guidance and advice. I may have a sense for which choice would be better, but if I were to simply tell the child "well, you should do Choice A" that robs my child of an opportunity for growth. I believe that God wants us to grow intellectually AND spiritually and that such growth is enhanced when done together.
As an example, reading John Locke's Second Treatise on Government was very enlightening for me because he outlines a continuum. At one extreme you have total freedom (anarchy, Natural Law, since everyone is free to act without consequences from a governing body). At the other extreme you have total security (no one is allowed to make "bad choices" because those choices are all illegal). I'm much more comfortable having more freedom in exchange for a little less security. Reading Locke helped me clarify this principle in my mind and heart.
It's of utmost importance to me that I make decisions based on principles of truth. It's often difficult to wade through an issue or a candidate to get to the heart of it, but when I put the effort into doing this I feel secure in the knowledge that I'm voting in a way that is consistent with my understanding of those principles.
While it may be that after you personally and prayerfully study the Founding Documents you come to a different conclusion as to which candidates or laws are in line with Constitutional principles, I sincerely urge you to do so. :-)
I'm seeing a slow and subtle shift that Americans are not as readily following strict party lines, which is heartening. This makes it a prime time to vote for a "non-first tier" candidate. I believe that if people really voted for the right person rather than the person they think "could win" someone like Ron Paul has a chance at winning. He's not a politician like Romney or Clinton. He's a man who stands for principles and acts in ways that prove he really believes in those principles. It's undeniably refreshing and it gives me a flicker of hope that perhaps America can recover from its sojourn in the wilderness of withering freedoms. I passionately believe that the right thing to do is to vote for more freedom in America, to return to the Constitution--a document inspired by God!
If people don't open their eyes soon enough to see where their apathy and ignorance is leading this nation as a whole I believe we are doomed. Maybe it even proves that we do not deserve to have freedom. Why should God continue to pour out His blessings if we are so ungrateful? This completely terrifies me, which is why I speak so much about it.
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"Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils." ~ General John Stark | 