African Americans who understand the importance of marriage to family restoration face a tough election choice in November. In fact, a recent article by Bethany Monk of CitizenLink is entitled "Black Voters Say They May Stay Home on Election Day." In the September 17, 2012 piece Monk writes: "Left with the option of voting for a presidential candidate who supports same-sex marriage or one who practices the Mormon faith, some black pastors are encouraging their congregations to just stay home on Election Day." Read that entire article here at http://www.citizenlink.com/2012/09/17/black-voters-say-they-may-stay-home-on-election-day/.
The Huffington Post is also reporting a similar story at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/16/african-american-christians-voting-election_n_1887956.html. It is very significant that President Obama won 95 percent of black votes in 2008, but many of those voters are not certain they will repeat that vote. "When President Obama made the public statement on gay marriage, I think it put a question in our minds as to what direction he's taking the nation," said the Rev. A.R. Bernard, founder of the predominantly African-American Christian Cultural Center in New York. According to the Post, Bernard's endorsement is much sought-after in New York and beyond, but he's unsure how he'll vote this year. According to The Associated Press (AP), most churchgoers cannot support same-sex marriage, as President Obama has done publicly since May. Another point for African-American voters is the previous prohibition on blacks into the priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although the ban was lifted in 1978, church authorities never explained why, and never issued a formal apology.
These concerns tend to leave African-American Christian voters in a conundrum. It is unclear just how widespread the sentiment is that African-American Christians would be better off not voting at all. Many pastors have said that despite their misgivings about the candidates, blacks have fought too hard for the vote to ever stay away from the polls.
According to the Washington Post, Obama faces widespread discontent among black voters. Read that piece at http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-faces-growing-discontent-among-black-voters/2011/09/23/gIQA3vYurK_story.html. Family values are a primary concern, along with joblessness, and a poor economy.
A valuable vote is not something to waste. The challenge is to use that vote to make a difference. Exercising the freedom to participate in the American Democracy is a significant victory in and of itself. Voting for values in that critical opportunity should not be passed up.
Marriage makes families strong, and strong families make a stronger nation. Whatever your race, ethnicity, religion, or creed, vote to bring restoration to families that need it. Marriage is absolutely vital to family restoration - and one vote can make a tremendous difference.
Supporting Persecuted Christians in the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights
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By Hannah Holmes If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in
any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you,
you.....
While this is a partisan video, it does point to some potential reasons for the disenchantment felt by African American voters. The following video also underscores the new discontentment found in parts of the African American community with President Barrack Obama.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theblaze.com/stories/pastor-offers-fiery-rebuke-of-fellow-blacks-end-your-slavish-devotion-to-the-democrat-party/
It may seem that one vote is not worth its weight in gold, but it would be unwise for African Americans to sit this election out. However, it would also be unwise for African Americans to base their vote solely on one issue or a small parsing of past hurts. While it is important to hang on to one's heritage and history, it is equally important, as Americans, to assimilate into the culture that has made this nation great. Past hurts may simmer, but holding on to bitterness is no way to formulate opinions on election day. Look to the issues and the stances for the candidates, but most importantly, look to the content of a man's character in discerning who to vote for this November.