Is voting a Christian duty?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

glf

Active member
Mar 18, 2023
265
116
43
70
#2
2 Chronicles 7: 14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
 

Aussie52

Active member
Aug 31, 2022
159
150
43
#3
There are many Christians who don't vote as they do not wish to be a part of the 'world system".
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,312
3,618
113
#4
2 Chronicles 7: 14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Can you explain how this passage teaches that it's a Christian duty to vote? I'm not seeing it.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,146
29,456
113
#5
2 Chronicles 7: 14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14
:)
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,774
113
#6
And if so, where is this teaching found in scripture?
Yes it is. God expects Christian citizens to do their civic duties.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities [rulers] and powers [authorities], to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work... (Titus 3:1)

Some translation have "governments" and "officials". The government of the USA is under the final authority of the Constitution, which requires elections.

Article I
Section 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.


Similarly, for the president, but every four years.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,774
113
#7
There are many Christians who don't vote as they do not wish to be a part of the 'world system".
The "world system" has nothing to do with your civic duty. Sure everyone is generally under the system, but you also have a duty to obey the Constitution as noted above. At the same time, if a Christian cannot vote in good conscience for any candidate because of their position and their principles which are blatantly anti-Christian or designed to destroy the country, then that is another matter. And making America great again is the opposite of destroying the country.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,312
3,618
113
#8
Yes it is. God expects Christian citizens to do their civic duties.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities [rulers] and powers [authorities], to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work... (Titus 3:1)

Some translation have "governments" and "officials". The government of the USA is under the final authority of the Constitution, which requires elections.

Article I
Section 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.


Similarly, for the president, but every four years.
Again, I don't see it. If someone didn't tell me Titus 3:1 is about voting, that idea would have never entered my mind. Rather, it seems to me like scripture twisting to justify a preconceived belief.
 
Jan 15, 2023
85
63
18
#9
I Don't believe its mandated in scripture one way or another....we are to be subject or obedient to rulers and authorities, so voting certainly can be advantageous.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,312
3,618
113
#10
I Don't believe its mandated in scripture one way or another....we are to be subject or obedient to rulers and authorities, so voting certainly can be advantageous.
Agree. I see it as a privilege and a right, because we've been granted that in the US; but not a duty as a Christian.
 

Hakawaka

Active member
Jul 1, 2021
308
158
43
#12
It is not and voting doesn't even exist in the Bible. There is no voting. DemoCRAZY is a new absolutely insane invention. Let the dumb population vote in people based on majority vote? What could go wrong.

The other issue is that people have very bad memory so they keep voting democRATS and republicans back and forth which means that one party will get to work for 4 years, then another one comes in and destroys it all again.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,312
3,618
113
#13
It is not and voting doesn't even exist in the Bible. There is no voting. DemoCRAZY is a new absolutely insane invention. Let the dumb population vote in people based on majority vote? What could go wrong.

The other issue is that people have very bad memory so they keep voting democRATS and republicans back and forth which means that one party will get to work for 4 years, then another one comes in and destroys it all again.
I agree in one respect: voting isn't scriptural. If it was a Christian duty, that would mean all believers who existed before voting came along would have been shirking their responsibility.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,700
6,885
113
#16
(excerpt)

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Overall, the Bible does not give direct instructions about voting. However, there are principles related to governance, authority, justice and wisdom that can guide Christian thinking on participating in the political process.

(here)

What Does The Bible Say About Voting? - Christian …

IF YOU DO VOTE:

(excerpt)

As Christians, the act of voting is not just a civic duty but a reflection of our values and beliefs.

With each election, we are presented with an opportunity to shape our community and country in ways that we believe are morally and spiritually right.

But how do we ensure our vote aligns with our Christian values?

This article introduces 7 critical questions that every Christian should consider before casting their ballot.

(here)

If you’re a Christian, these 7 questions will clarify your vote

F.Y.I.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,700
6,885
113
#17
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:

IF you live in a Country where voting is required by Law, then it is a Christians duty to vote. Why? Scripture says to obey the Laws of Caesar.

The U.S. does not have such a Law, so voting is determined by a Christians belief if they should or not.

IMO, if a Christian votes here in the U.S., they should follow their Christian Faith when determining who to vote for. Sadly, a whole bunch do not.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,584
9,103
113
#18
And if so, where is this teaching found in scripture?
I don't know about voting.

But apparently it must be in the Bible for a guy who claims to want nothing to do with politics, to start numerous political threads on a Christian site, and demonize ONLY one political candidate, who's platform is dramatically closer to Biblical principals, while not saying squat about the literal satanic platform of the candidate.

Can you please show me that verse in Scripture RA?
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,838
13,558
113
#20
Yes it is. God expects Christian citizens to do their civic duties.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities [rulers] and powers [authorities], to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work... (Titus 3:1)

Some translation have "governments" and "officials". The government of the USA is under the final authority of the Constitution, which requires elections.

Article I
Section 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.


Similarly, for the president, but every four years.
Actually the president is not elected by votes. he or she is elected by appointed electoral colleges from each state, and the constitution does not require those electoral college members to be chosen by popular election. every state happens to choose them this way, but it is not required.

regardless, the USA does not have any law requiring citizens to vote, so your argument that obeying the laws and the government coerces Christians to vote is baseless.