A Christian Conversation about Voting in 2020

A hypothetical conversation…

“Christian A: Voting for President Trump is hypocritical and compromises Christian moral witness. He is incompetent and is dangerous to America.

Christian B: Well, I certainly understand your concerns about President Trump. I do not believe the Republican Party is God’s party by any means whatsoever, but I think its platform is less hostile to my convictions about the common good than the Democratic Party’s platform. How should I vote?

Christian A: Vote third-party, write-in, or do not vote.

Christian B: I respect all of those as viable options, but what if I do not think that’s the best use of my vote to honor my conscience and further the common good?

Christian A: Voting for President Trump is hypocritical and compromises Christian moral witness. He is incompetent and is dangerous to America.

Christian B: You said that already. Am I obligated to not vote for President Trump?

Christian A: No, I cannot go that far. Voting is a wisdom and conscience issue, despite my deep dislike of President Trump.

Christian B: Are you saying I should vote for Vice-President Biden? The platform he’s running on is hostile to my convictions in several non-negotiable areas.

Christian A: No.

Christian B: Are you willing to say I am committing a sin or deep error in voting for President Trump?

Christian A: No.

Christian B: Are you willing to bind my conscience and say I must not vote or vote for someone other than President Trump?

Christian A: No.

Christian B: Then why cannot I not make a reluctant choice to vote for someone who I do agree has character problems but whose administration is less hostile to my convictions?

Christian A: Voting for President Trump is hypocritical and compromises Christian moral witness. He is incompetent and is dangerous to America.

Christian B: Yes, yes, I know. You’ve said that twice already, but I’m looking for a practical solution. Just so I am understanding you: I am not in error or sin to vote for Trump because voting is a wisdom issue nor am I in error if I do not vote? 

Christian A: Correct.

Christian B: Then why do you insist on making such strong, sweeping, and shaming pronouncements that a Christian voting for President Trump is hypocritical and compromises Christian moral witness, especially if you are unwilling to bind my conscience?

Christian A: Because that’s what I think.

Christian B: Yes, that’s been made very clear. But what’s my alternative? I’m looking for politically feasible suggestions on what I should do in light of the available options.

Christian A: Voting for Trump is hypocritical and compromises Christian moral witness. He is incompetent and is dangerous to America.

Christian B: Uh, you’ve established that already. Can we just give each other grace, knowing that people, left and right, disagree and make different calculations about candidates and platforms and perhaps it is too simplistic to reduce the integrity of someone’s faith down to their vote—even if you strongly disagree with them?”