Deafening Silence

Deafening Silence
Moral Issues in the Election

October 27, 2010 Chuck Colson

Next Tuesday, I hope you will do your Christian duty and head to the
polls to vote for the candidate of your choice. I trust that your faith
will guide you in your decision.

Which candidate will best promote justice and preserve order? After all,
those are the biblically-sanction ed roles of government.

And which candidate best exemplifies the cardinal virtue of prudence in
his or her public and private life?

And which candidate will best promote the sanctity of human life,
advocate for traditional marriage, and protect religious freedom?

Well, if you've got an answer for that last question, then you're among
the few. Because for the life of me, I have never heard so little about
these core issues during a political campaign. These core issues-human
life, marriage, and freedom-which- all expressed so powerfully in the
Manhattan Declaration and supported by half a million signatories,
aren't even on the political radar this year.

And that, to me is shocking.

Shocking to me because I know that politicians are survivors. They watch
the polls. They know what people want. And all the candidates seem to be
talking about is the economy.

One side swears up and down that they have saved our economy from
another great depression. The others side says Congress is spending our
nation into bankruptcy and that they'll slash federal spending.

But no one-OK, hardly anyone-is talking about life, marriage, and
liberty.

Why is that? It's because we Christians-- whether it's from culture-war
fatigue or worry over our own jobs and bank accounts--have not been
vocal enough on these issues.

The Republicans devised their Pledge to America after months and months
of polling, focus groups, and web chats. These moral issues weren't on
their supporters' minds or lips-at least not until I asked you to tell
the Republican leadership that you want them to address these issues.
You emailed by the thousands . . . but it was only enough to get the
Republicans to throw us a bone. One short paragraph in a 45-page
document!

But folks, I've made the case again and again, we cannot have a healthy
economy apart from morality and ethics. Without promoting stable,
healthy families, without protecting life and freedom, without promoting
a Christian ethic that values work and saving over instant spending and
gratification, no economy or nation can thrive.

So, where do we Christian stand with our political leaders and the two
political parties?

I want you to come to ColsonCenter. org today and watch this week's Two
Minute Warning. It's called "Politically Homeless." I want to share some
thoughts and observations that may startle you.

And I also want you to share your thoughts with me. Go to
ColsonCenter. org or BreakPoint.org and click on "Speak Out with Chuck"
session. How should Christians approach this election? Will either party
ever realty promote the values we hold dear? I want to hear from you. I
will read every comment and will respond where I can.

But make no mistake. No matter how silent the candidates are on life,
marriage, and liberty, we believers must never be silent. For the sake
of our faith in Christ, our nation, and the common good, we must speak
out.

http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/15643