Responsively Yours

October 2000
Get Ready to Vote

Next month will bring to an end, at least temporarily, the political rhetoric we have experienced throughout this year. Elections will be held for president and vice president, Senate and House membership, and state and local officials as determined by the election procedures in your state. Does our faith say anything about this election? Does our church address the issues being debated?

Our United Methodist heritage has seen participation in the election procedures as an essential responsibility of a good citizen. We often have chosen to speak out on issues affecting the welfare of peoples within our country and those in other countries. We believe in the separation of church and state, but also believe our denomination should exert strong ethical influence on issues under debate.

At each United Methodist General Conference, resolutions are considered and areas of the Social Principles debated to clarify the official position of the denomination. These statements can guide us as we consider the candidates and the issues of this election year.

The United Methodist Church opposes capital punishment and does not see it as a means of deterring crime. Currently, there is an extensive debate regarding the death penalty since 85 men have been freed from death row because of wrongful convictions since 1973. In Illinois, a moratorium on the death penalty has been declared. Other states are considering similar moratoriums. The 2000 General Conference voted to call for the abolition of capital punishment worldwide.

Following are questions to ponder as you review the position of the candidates on this issue:

• If a murderer asks forgiveness, does God forgive and if so, should we?
• Why are the majority of individuals on death row persons of color? Does this impact your view of the death penalty?
• Biblical leaders participated in murder and became strong leaders of the faith. Remember the stories of Moses and the Egyptian taskmaster, of David and the death of Uriah, and of Paul’s participation in the stoning of Stephen. What do these examples say about capital punishment?

In light of continuing, even increasing violence caused by guns,

The United Methodist Church adopted at the 2000 General Conference a strong statement calling for federal legislation to ban handguns, assault weapons and automatic weapons. The church also is asking the entertainment industry to refrain from "promoting" the use of guns.

As you consider your vote, find out the position of your candidate on gun control. Determine the source of their campaign funding. Consider these questions:

• What is the relationship between the command "not to kill" and easy access to guns?
• How does violence in the media influence children and teens to do violence?

The United Methodist Church has historically supported public education. We believe "education is a right of all children" and "we have a moral responsibility to support, strengthen and reform public schools."

We acknowledge the great disparity among public schools and recognize that it is often the schools in the poorer school districts that are the poorer schools. We recognize that race, economics and political influence are important in determining the quality of the schools.

As you listen to the debates around public-education issues, such as vouchers, home schooling and charter schools, think about the following:

• Does the candidate appear to understand education as more than students being able to pass standardized tests?
• Does the candidate appear to be willing to increase spending on public education that will improve the quality of education?
• Is gambling seen as a primary way of increasing funds for education? If so, what does this say about the church’s stance against gambling?

Remember the song "Carefully Taught" from the musical South Pacific. The song never became one of the top songs from the show because it clearly says children have to be taught to hate.

I always remember this song when I learn of individuals who commit crimes that are motivated by hatred of or prejudice against someone that is different from them. Our church is supportive of tracking hate crimes, of advocating for strong hate-crime laws, of creating resources that will help us analyze intolerance and educate for tolerance.

In considering candidates ask the following questions:

• What is their position on hate crimes?
• How do they relate to people who are different from them?
• Are their staffs and advisors an inclusive group?
• How have they dealt with the issue of police brutality?

Voting is more than marking a ballot box. Voting is to be done after studying the issues and the candidates. Voting is to be done thoughtfully and prayerfully.

Your vote counts. It can set the future direction of our nation, your state and your community. May your vote make a difference and be a positive influence on the welfare of all God’s children.

Responsively Yours ,

Joyce D. Sohl
Deputy General Secretary
Women's Division

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