SPLINTERING: "Integrity vs. Winning"

yesterday, dr. james dobson wrote an article for the new york times. in it, he explains the outcome of a meeting of christian leaders last week in salt lake city. he also discusses his personal convictions and defends the notion that the christian community is splintering amidst the current presidential election.

below are a few excerpts from the article:

After two hours of deliberation, we voted on a resolution that can be summarized as follows: If neither of the two major political parties nominates an individual who pledges himself or herself to the sanctity of human life, we will join others in voting for a minor-party candidate. Those agreeing with the proposition were invited to stand. The result was almost unanimous.
The other issue discussed at length concerned the advisability of creating a third party if Democrats and Republicans do indeed abandon the sanctity of human life and other traditional family values. Though there was some support for the proposal, no consensus emerged.

Speaking personally, and not for the organization I represent or the other leaders gathered in Salt Lake City, I firmly believe that the selection of a president should begin with a recommitment to traditional moral values and beliefs. Those include the sanctity of human life, the institution of marriage, and other inviolable pro-family principles. Only after that determination is made can the acceptability of a nominee be assessed.

The other approach, which I find problematic, is to choose a candidate according to the likelihood of electoral success or failure. Polls don’t measure right and wrong; voting according to the possibility of winning or losing can lead directly to the compromise of one’s principles. In the present political climate, it could result in the abandonment of cherished beliefs that conservative Christians have promoted and defended for decades. Winning the presidential election is vitally important, but not at the expense of what we hold most dear.

One other clarification is germane, even though unrelated to the meeting in Salt Lake City. The secular news media has been reporting in recent months that the conservative Christian movement is hopelessly fractured and internally antagonistic. The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday, for example, that supporters of traditional family values are rapidly “splintering.” That is not true. The near unanimity in Salt Lake City is evidence of much greater harmony than supposed. Admittedly, differences of opinion exist among us about our choices for president.
(emphasis: mine)

entire article can be found here.

okay, bear with me. i had to read, re-read, and ask my spouse to read and re-read this article, to try and figure out what dr. dobson was trying to say. and i think i got it. (for the moment, anyway..)

it sounds as if dr. dobson is agreeing with all the huckabee supporters, christians, and values voters out there. (now hear me out...)

i say it sounds like dr. dobson is agreeing, because this is what he states in the above article. HOWEVER, the area of contention, speculation and suspicion arises, due to the fact, that we have yet to see or hear any action by dr. dobson to support or substantiate what he has stated.

it would appear to be a contradiction between what he says and what he has actually done or not done, thus far. in an effort to give dr. dobson the benefit of the doubt (after all, he did seem to have a clear understanding of fred thompson's shortcomings.) and for the purpose of this post, we will assume he is an unannounced, pro-huckabee supporter.

that aside, i DO believe dr. dobson is addressing the fundamental and core issue in this GOP election. DO YOU VOTE FOR WHO REPRESENTS YOUR VALUES AND BELIEFS?? OR DO YOU VOTE FOR WHO YOU THINK CAN WIN?? plain and simple.

obviously, huckabee supporters believe govenor huckabee fulfills both categories, and is the obvious choice for the social conservative vote.

i believe THIS ISSUE : "integrity vs. the win".....is what is causing a so-call "splintering" in the christian community. dr. dobson denies this is happening amongst the leaders in salt lake city. indeed, there may not be obvious splintering amongst the christian leadership. however, i contend that at the very least, the splintering is occurring amidst the christian constituency.

i believe the christian voter WANTS TO VOTE for a canidate that embodies their values and beliefs. however, the christian leadership and the media are doing their darndest to convince them otherwise. as a result, christians are debating amongst themselves (as are the christian leaders, as mentioned by dr. dobson) and wrestling in their hearts, as to the answer to the fundamental question... integrity or the win??

we are constantly hearing the words, "but can he win?" or "the money!". but really, christians...is it really all about "winning"??? how about the issues of integrity, voting your conscience, the values and principles of a christian...and then trusting God to do the rest?? by NOT doing these...indeed, we may be focused on winning...as dr. dobson stated, at the "expense of what we hold so dear."

it appears christian leaders are 'desperately searching' for a viable canidate. however, in the process, they are finding themselves compromisng on issues, principles and values that are fundamental to the christian. whether it be mormonism, same sex unions or the sanctity of life, they are trying desperately to justify it... for the win.

but friends, is a "win" really worth it at all costs? is it worth compromsing our values and beliefs?? and who is it costing the most?? despite the outcome, will you be able to reconcile your conscience after the november 2008 election?

the story of gideon is a good example of trusting God in a seemingly underdog and adverse situation. despite the odds, gideon went forth in obedience and conviction.. trusting God...and allowing God to get the ultimate glory in the victory.

now, i'm not saying that govenor huckabee is gideon. simply, that we must do our part, and trust God to do the rest. despite the christian leadership, and their unability to commit to a canidate.. WE must. we must reconcile our faith, our values, our beliefs, and we must choose to support the canidate that best represents us.

i believe if christians voted for the canidate that best embodied and represented their values and beliefs. the result would be; a canidate that supported issues such as: the sanctity of life, the insitution of marriage, and other pro-family issues. essentially, it would be a '2 for 1'.

christians, we must realize, WE ARE A VIABLE AND POWERFUL DEMOGRAPHIC. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. we should NOT underestimate the power of the christian conservative vote. we can rally and unite behind a canidate, and elect him to the white house. we've done it before, and we can do it again. but it takes unity, it takes conviction and it takes action.

regarding dr. dobson, i pray God will speak to his heart. the words dr. dobson wrote, speak of a man passionately desiring to maintain his integrity, and not compromise the basic principles of his faith, in the context of this presidential election. may God give dr. dobson the clarity to see, and the boldness to step out and act upon his convictions. i pray, that results in the support of govenor huckabee.

indeed, it would be very sad, if after his impassioned article, it really wasn't about endorsing a canidate that represents his values, above the win.....it just sounded like it.

go forth, christian....pray....act upon your convictions....and trust God to be glorified.

"..that no flesh should glory in His presence.....that it is written, 'he who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 1 corinthians 1:29, 31