{"id":117,"date":"2008-11-05T17:18:18","date_gmt":"2008-11-05T23:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/jhpeterson\/?p=117"},"modified":"2008-11-05T17:18:18","modified_gmt":"2008-11-05T23:18:18","slug":"president-elect-obama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/jhpeterson\/president-elect-obama\/","title":{"rendered":"President Elect Obama"},"content":{"rendered":"

I got to watch the final days of this presidential election from here in Japan. I hand delivered my early ballot to the county clerk in Colorado Springs a couple weeks ago so it didn’t really matter where I was on election day. Now I’m trying to sort out my thoughts… and it isn’t easy.<\/p>\n

Of course I am happy. Happy that the U.S. has its first non-white president. And I imagine it won’t be long before the first non-male president is elected as well. The fact that Mr. Obama and everyone who voted for him have finally broken the vice-grip that white males have had on the supreme political office of the U.S. is profoundly significant.<\/p>\n

I’m also happy that someone who seeks a very different direction in politics from the past 8 years has been elected. Spending most of those 8 years outside of the U.S. has given me a clear view of just how polarizing the current government has been. The U.S. has consistently isolated itself from much of the world, and yet still fails to recognize the consequences of its actions.<\/p>\n

There certainly are reasons to be happy. But I don’t want to fall prey to the temptation to be overly optimistic just because the candidate I voted for was elected. As a follower of Jesus Christ I am always keenly aware that there will probably never be a candidate for the presidency who would or could stand for the things that really matter to me. And I am deeply saddened by those who call themselves Christians and yet suggest that there are only one or two issues that determine where Christians should cast their ballots.<\/p>\n

Sure, I value the sanctity of life. It’s huge! It’s Biblical. And I realize that sanctity of life plays into the debates about abortion and euthanasia, and also the debates about capital punishment and military action. I also care deeply about the environment and take the Genesis charge to care for it very seriously. I hurt for those who are hungry, sick, and alone; whether in the U.S. or elsewhere. \u00a0If we the people really care, those feelings should be reflected in our choice of political leaders. \u00a0Above all, Jesus dictates that I care about loving others and loving God. Sadly, those values rarely are prioritized or reflected in politics of any sort.<\/p>\n

Mr. Obama frequently lists various categories of people who he seeks to include, and always gets applause. Many followers of Christ are likely troubled by his inclusion of “straight and gay”. I struggle with this too. And I recognize that what ever I say, it may be hurtful and offensive to some. Here are some of my convictions on this topic.\u00a0<\/p>\n