by Jorge Gomez • 4 minutes
With Election Day right around the corner, people of faith have an opportunity to change the course of America.
Approximately 212 million people in the U.S. qualify as a person of faith, according to a study from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and Dr. George Barna. What’s more, religious people comprise about 80% of America’s voting-age population.
The problem heading into Election Day is that about 50% of religious Americans—more than 100 million—appear unlikely to vote. Voter apathy among the faithful is concerning, especially considering how much is at stake for religious freedom.
Religious freedom is one of the greatest blessings bestowed to our country and the First Freedom from which all other liberties flow. By not voting, we abdicate the future of this freedom—and all of our cherished liberties.
No matter which way the political winds are blowing, we must not become passive and stay out of the political process. Only by choosing not to get involved in the political process do we truly lose. Our freedoms—including religious freedom—are unlikely to ever be taken by force. We are far more likely to give them up through apathy and complacency. But we can ensure that doesn’t happen by exercising our right to vote as often as we are legally able to do so.
Still, only a fraction of Americans who say religious liberty is important to them actually votes in the major elections. If 100 million more people of faith showed up to the ballot box this election cycle, imagine the change and difference that could make.
Religious Americans Want Guidance on Election & Political Topics
With early voting already underway in many states, houses of worship have a huge role to play in equipping their members.
Len Munsil, President of Arizona Christian University and a former nominee for Governor of Arizona, said Christians “are longing for their local church to instruct them on how to think biblically about policy and politics. They don’t want to be told how to vote, but they do want to know why they should vote, and how to view political issues from a biblical framework.”
“But without pastors willing to speak about the Bible’s perspective on policy issues, and without them encouraging Christians to vote, it’s hard to see how we can have the kind of godly government that would enable our people to rejoice,” Munsil added.
Barna’s data shows that if houses of worship taught that voting is a responsibility, one-out-of-six likely non-voters would reconsider. Barna also projects that five-million additional Christians would likely vote if their pastor simply encouraged them to do so.
Faith leaders and their congregations are often told they can’t get involved in the political process. That’s simply not true. The law is on the side of churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and religious leaders who want to educate their members on how to vote their conscience and values. Churches do not need to fear losing their tax-exempt status if they speak out on political issues.
Houses of worship, for example, can:
There are very few limitations on houses of worship. The two main things the IRS says a church entity can’t do is endorse or oppose a particular candidate; or, contribute money or church resources to a candidate, including allowing free use of its member list.
As for pastors and religious leaders, there are no limitations on when they speak and act in their individual capacity rather than on behalf of their church. The First Amendment protects religious leaders’ right to endorse candidates, speak in support of a candidate, and more, as long as they do not use church resources to do so.
The church is the “secret weapon” that could change the future of America in this election, according to Craig Huey, a marketing data expert and prolific author on elections.
“It’s the Church that is the secret weapon to winning the election, and yet the pastors are quiet. Very few Evangelicals are doing what’s necessary to mobilize the Church to vote for, not against, their values,” Huey said.
“If you are not certain of the importance of your voice on Nov. 5, I urge you to further research the policies connected to the names on the ballot. Learn what your candidates are promising to do, and consider whether they can keep their promises,” said Troy Miller, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters.
“In this era of our nation’s history, our elections involve questions of moral good and evil, the lives and health of the next generation, and the future of global peace and security,” Miller added. “Christian presence and participation are critical to preserving our nation for the glory of God.”
As Americans, we know that voting is our right. We’re also often told that voting is our duty and a responsibility, which sometimes makes going to the ballot box feel like a chore. But what if we thought about this differently?
The right to vote is a blessing. Instead of saying that as people of faith we have to vote, what if we instead said that we get to vote. The simple act of casting a ballot is really an opportunity to protect the liberties we cherish and change the future of our nation.
Your Country. Your Faith. Your Vote.
Visit First Liberty’s Election Resource Center for more information, free downloads and resources, videos and helpful guidance.
Read More:
Daily Signal: 41M Evangelical Christians May Not Vote in This Election. Here’s Why They Should Reconsider.
Washington Stand: How Should Christians Approach the 2024 Election?
Fox News: Opinion | This group has the numbers to decide the US presidency – if they turn out
Christian Post: The Church is ‘secret weapon’ to winning 2024 presidential election: researcher
Christian Post: Ralph Reed predicts Jewish vote will ‘move’ in Republicans’ direction in 2024 election
Washington Stand: In the 2024 Election, ‘the Battle Is Spiritual,’ Says Mike Huckabee
Deseret News: Sen. Mike Lee, Glenn Beck and others join Donald Trump on webinar directed at Latter-day Saint voters
Catholic Stand: Political Parties and the Catholic Vote in 2024
Religion Unplugged: 5 Kinds Of American Evangelicals And Their Voting Patterns
Religion Unplugged: Guide To The US Presidential Candidates: What They Say About Faith
Graphs About Religion: What Religious Groups are The Most Politically Active?
Brandeis University: Can Jewish voters decide the election?
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