Christ for President - 2016

The United States of America, along with the rest of the world, has been for several months watching the latest bad reality television series. It’s known most commonly as the presidential primary season.

As of this column’s authoring, the Republican field has been narrowed to one, real-estate mogul Donald Trump, who will most likely be facing Democrat Hillary Clinton in the General Election. (Although there are plenty of Bernie Sanders supporters out there who might argue that point.)

On the Republican side, no one can dispute that the primaries have been downright nasty. Insults have been traded, wives have been dragged into it, and even a few conspiracy theories have been tossed about. The Democrat contenders have, for the most part, been more civil.

It’s about this time that we, as Catholics, must discern who we can cast our ballots for while fulfilling our obligations to our faith and keeping a clean conscience. There is, unfortunately, a lot of confusion about what our faith dictates when it comes to voting for political candidates.

First, it’s necessary to point out that our faith compels us to perform our civic duty at the ballot box.¹ To fulfill our obligations to both our Church and our country, we must vote in elections to help decide who will lead us — from your local city council on up to president of the United States.

Who should be cast those ballots for? That’s the real question.

Unfortunately, we cannot elect our true King, Jesus Christ. However, we should always use Him as an example for both ourselves as well as our leaders. We are, after all, striving to be more Christ-like.

Would Jesus be a Republican? Most Republicans would probably say “Yes! Without question!” I believe they would be wrong.

There are certainly many points and platforms that Republicans claim as their own that Jesus would approve of. The stereotypical GOP candidate would be pro-life, proclaim Christian values and says they are for strengthening families — all things I believe Christ would applaud.

He would also, as He did so often to those who held positions of leadership during His days on earth, point out their flaws. The Republican desire to keep the death penalty doesn’t fit with our teachings on the sanctity of life. And, believe it or not, He probably wouldn’t be too keen on so many firearms being out and about either. (See Matthew 26:52)

Would Jesus be a Democrat? There are those would would also answer “Yes! Without question!” I believe that they, too, would be wrong.

Jesus would certainly be more of a socialist than many would like to believe. He would want us, both individually and as a society, to do everything we can to help the sick and the poor. He taught us to “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” Thus, we are to pay our taxes which, we hope, will be put to good use for helping those who are less fortunate.

However, the stereotypical Democrat candidate is also a defender of the “right” to have an abortion — an instant disqualifier for any Catholic voting in accordance with Church teachings.² In fact, we have leaders in the Democrat Party who claim to be Catholic but strongly defend “a woman’s right to choose.” It’s a political position that should, according to Canon Law, result in excommunication.

“So, who AM I to vote for,” you ask? Well, I’m certainly not wise enough to tell you the answer to that question. However, there are several other paths that we as Catholics can take.

While the Church’s teachings do permit casting a ballot for what we discern as the “lesser of two evils,” we also shouldn’t be afraid of exploring candidates for other parties. There are some out there who more closely embody the ideals we hold dear.

In the last presidential election, we faced a choice between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, neither of which I felt I could cast a ballot for in good conscience. I’m not ashamed to say that my ballot was marked for Virgil Goode of the Constitution Party. I knew he wouldn’t win, but I walked out of my polling place feeling “clean.”

Roman Catholics make up a more-than-significant portion of the voters in this country. If we, as Catholics, were to cast ballots in accordance with the teachings of our faith for someone other than the options handed us by the two “establishments,” you’d better believe the politicians would take notice.

I’m sure there are many of you who have read these words and will argue both for and against some of the points made here. I encourage it, as healthy debate and discussion without hostility is a wonderful and educational thing. More than anything, however, I encourage you to pray about your upcoming votes. Listen to where the Holy Spirit moves you and do your best to mark those boxes (or punch those cards, or tap those screens) next to candidates that you believe our King and Savior would be pleased to have lead us.

¹ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2240

² Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2272