For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Paul Bayne
In my area, there is a man who claims to be a Christian. He serves in his local church, he gives his money...but he also runs for government. He calls himself a Christian but he has entertained Muslims and Sikhs in his home in order to secure their vote. He has supported these religions by breaking ground at a new Kalsa school and has gone to various Indo-Canadian festivals and events. This is called compromise and God hates compromise. This is also called luke-warmness and we know what God does with luke-warm Christians.
This is my contention with voting and the Christian. How can one support Saddam Hussien to get Adolf Hitler out of office? Well one might be a little better than the other, but that doesn't make it right to support them and their lifestyle. To support someone such as Obama means you agree with their stance and their convictions.
We are pilgrims on this planet and we are only passing through to heaven. We should not be running for office or participating in politics, because in order to be true to oneself and to God, then your platform better be the Gospel, Gospel and more Gospel or you are guilty of compromise.
We are told to pray for those in leadership, but not be in leadership. We are told to submit to those in authority, but not be one of those in authority. The Bible tells us to live peaceful and quiet lives. This is impossible if one wants to make his career one of politics.
A slave is a slave and should remain such, busy about his Father's business, and focusing on souls not votes.
Charlotte Holtry
I have been confused about this area of my Christian walk for a long time, and what was written here helped me a little to clear things up, but not much. I believe the way our political system operates is dishonest and I believe most politicians are dishonest, also. Power corrupts, as we have seen, especially during the last few years. How can we possibly know a person's character when so many lie and cheat today? The last President I trusted to be a Christian was Jimmy Carter, and many think he was not a good president. Which is the most important, being a good president or a good Christian?
Paul Bayne
I believe very strongly with what Scripture says, and if one must vote, then vote your conscience. If you vote for Obama, then you will be held responsible in part for anything he passes into law. If he supports abortion and finances it, you will held accountable for murder. If he supports homosexuality and prosecutes those who speak against it, then you will be held responsible just as if you did the act yourself. It's a big thing to put your support behind a man with that kind of power.
Nathan Toronga
Jim N and Rotimi have given good answers. I'm not going to repeat what they wrote. Please refer to their answers, and to Jim's additional comments.
I only want to add one dimension: God USED to enthrone kings by means of a prophet. Even among pagans, he'd sent his prophet to anoint a king (but not always, of course.)
The landscape has changed drastically. Now PEOPLE vote. And for a candidate to win, he has to offer what the people want. He has to be pleasing to the majority, or at least pretend that he'll please them.
That is one of the problems, because what we want is generally opposed to what God wants.
Satan is the current prince of this world (John 14:30, 1 Corinthians 4:4), and he grants rulership to whoever he pleases. Luke 4:5-7. (Jesus didn't challenge this claim from the devil. Why? Because it was true.)
To take political office is to feed from the hand of the devil.
In fact, the list of world leaders is like a Who's Who of the Illuminati and Freemasons.
Stay clear of politics. Our King is just around the corner. Whether they like it or not!
Bless.