The Most Important Election Issue

"Senator Obama should not get even one vote from anyone who cares about the sanctity of life and who believes marriage should remain between one man and one woman!" - Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families
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ARRA News Service - Guest Editorial by Gene McCoy: What constitutes the most important issue is debated during every election cycle. Among those most commonly suggested are the economy, immigration and the war on terror.

Albert Schweitzer said, “If a man loses reverence for any part of life, he will lose his reverence for all life.” A candidate’s position on the sanctity of human life measures integrity, principle, trustworthiness, character, and godliness more than any other issue. If you want to know the candidate’s soul and the validity of his / her claim to know and love God, probe the strength of his / her stance regarding the sanctity of human life. This will also reveal the sincerity of any claim to be compassionate toward the poor and needy and the motive underlying their position. Is it really out of genuine concern for the individual and the country? Or is their true motive to simply gain power and influence? Is it principle or politics?

Most candidates claim to be Christians and will make reference to the Bible and affirm their reverence for God. The Bible says God created all that is (Gen. 1:1) and that man is distinctly superior to all other creatures (Gen. 2:7). God recognizes viability and personhood before birth (Ps. 139:13-16). God not only knows each person before birth (Jer. 1:5), but He has a purpose for each (Is. 49:1, 5; Gal. 1:15-16).

Taking human life is a capital offense (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:12; Lev. 24:17). The only exception ordained by God, other than self-defense, is the execution of evildoers (e.g., murderers), and that only by government (Rom. 13:4). God requires us to defend the innocent and protect the defenseless (Ps. 82:3-4; Prov. 12:6; 31:8-9). We must not give consent of power to candidates who favor legislation that violates these Biblical values and principles.

The likelihood that two pieces of such legislation will be enacted depends upon the person who next occupies the White House. One is the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) , which would nullify the ban of partial-birth abortion and reverse virtually all laws that protect the unborn. Another related issue is the Equal Rights Amendment. This would have sweeping implications on abortion laws, resulting in the continued slaughter of the innocents.

The Declaration of Independence states that we have not only the right, but the duty to remove or prevent a government that does not promote and protect the unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To fail in this is not only to jeopardize our liberty and to become subject to godless despots, but also to forfeit the blessing of Almighty God. The Declaration of Independence states the fact that government derives power from the consent of the governed. The Christian citizen must recognize and reject any candidate who does not honor the government’s role as it pertains to preserving our unalienable right to life.

Any candidate who favors the taking of innocent life (e.g., the unborn, the sick and infirm, etc.) and the preservation of a capital offender’s life is not only self-contradictory but also rebelling against God. We cannot honor God by giving government the power to destroy human life! Your consent is given at the ballot box. Voting for a presidential or congressional candidate who can justify the taking of any human life apart from capital punishment and self-defense is consenting to government sanctioned murder.
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Gene McCoy is an active advocate for life. He is the past-president of the Baxter County Right to Life and is a preacher at Memorial Christian Church in Mtn Home, Arkansas. See also: An online comparison of the presidential candidates’ positions on life issues.