Christian duty to vote

[Sonny89]

Hey all

So, ver here in England we’re coming up to the General Election, where the Country will choose it’s next Prime Minister. Recently I have become increasingly disillusioned with (British) Politics (over the expenses scandal, immoral behavior of an increasing number of politicians and various other things) & am seriously considering not voting. I have read that people like Padre Pio arguing that it is a Christian’s social duty to vote in elections. Are their any official Church documents about this? What do people generally think, does a Christian have a social (or other) duty to vote??

Thanks

Peace & Good

Sonny

 

[lynx]

As a citizen of a nation you have a moral responsibility to vote, if not to uphold the status quo.

 

[rainalaska]

I personally feel it is our duty as Christians to vote. While I have been told that since Satan controls this world he places who he wants in power. I disagree. God gave us minds, he wants us to use them. He has put you in a place and time where you can vote to change things. Why would he put you there and then expect you to not use what he has given you? There are many things that could have gone different ways had people not stepped and voted or if they had stepped up. I was told once that the official language of the USA was almost German but for a handful of votes. This may or may not be true but its the principle of the matter. And as I always say if you don’t exercise the right to vote you cannot exercise your tongue when you disagree with the government!

 

[tee_eff_em]

The Catechism says (among other things)

1915 As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life. the manner of this participation may vary from one country or culture to another. “One must pay tribute to those nations whose systems permit the largest possible number of the citizens to take part in public life in a climate of genuine freedom.”

…

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country:

Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners… They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws… So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.

The Apostle exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise authority, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.”

tee

 

[Catholic1954]

You do have a duty to vote. I know there are times when there is not much to choose from, however you must do your best. Be sure you know the issues and say a prayer for guidence before you go to vote.

 

[LilyM]

Put it this way … your vote may not mean that the best available candidate gets elected, but it could well help prevent the worst candidate from getting in, which is very important. So it is certainly worth exercising your right to vote.

 

[Sonny89]

Thanks for your help guys!!

Catholic 1954: That is a big part of my dissillusioment with Politics, all the Parties over here seem pretty similar in their anti Christian and/or immoral/discriminatory policies and behavior which means that the party which I agree with on the most policies also has policies which I cannot agree with due to personal circumstances

rainalaska: I agree that if I did not vote I would also lose my right to voice a disagreement I may have with the government.

lynx: I am also a US citizen (My father is American & I was born in San Francisco, my mother is English and we moved here because my dad transferred here for work as well as a few other things I won’t go into…). I assume then I should also vote in US Elections? Incidentally, I fully intended to do this in the last Presidential Election but my absentee ballot did not arrive in time

Also, on a general note, does the duty to vote mean that it is a sin not to?

Finally, are there any encyclicals, or other Church documents which I can read alongside the Catechism??

Thanks again everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut, really appreciate it

Peace & all good

Sonny:thumbsup:

 

[lynx]

lynx: I am also a US citizen (My father is American & I was born in San Francisco, my mother is English and we moved here because my dad transferred here for work as well as a few other things I won’t go into…). I assume then I should also vote in US Elections?

Absolutely

 

[vera_dicere]

There are people on this planet who right now are fighting for the right to vote, and oftentimes being imprisioned and executed for it.

I think we have a Christian duty to vote, if we want to change, or at least attempt to change, an immoral system, we must vote morally. The only time I think we shoudl not vote is if there realy is no moral choice. Say its one pro-abort vs. another pro-abort with no indepedants or what not.

Plus, to be honest, if you don’t vote, you void your right to complain, because you didnt’ try to do anything about it.

 

[lutherlic]

Put it this way … your vote may not mean that the best available candidate gets elected, but it could well help prevent the worst candidate from getting in, which is very important. So it is certainly worth exercising your right to vote.

Good point. Along the same lines, politicians notice by how much someone wins or loses. Your vote has meaning even when your candidates lose.

 

[didymus]

As a citizen of a nation you have a moral responsibility to vote, if not to uphold the status quo.

You don’t have a duty to participate in a rigged game. Ever notice how many Congressfolk are re-elected by 60-70& margins? That’s not because they are doing such a wonderful job, it’s because of how districts are created, and the same goes for state legislatures.

You may have a better chance on local elections, it’s largely a matter of who is backed by special interests and we get a “choice” between Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

Until our electoral system is revamped voting is largely a joke.

 

[lynx]

You don’t have a duty to participate in a rigged game.

I assume you mean it’s rigged because you’re given a set of candidates / proposals you didn’t choose and might not care to vote for?

Ever notice how many Congressfolk are re-elected by 60-70& margins?

People love incumbents.

That’s not because they are doing such a wonderful job

Sometimes it is.

, it’s because of how districts are created, and the same goes for state legislatures.

What’s the better alternative and why is it better?

You may have a better chance on local elections, it’s largely a matter of who is backed by special interests and we get a “choice” between Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

Even small steps towards progress are better than no progress at all.

Until our electoral system is revamped voting is largely a joke.

What’s the better alternative and why is it better?