In any election, much less a tight one like this, that would be enough to sway the outcome. Christian Apologist Alex McFarland says this is not the election to sit out.
“We need to be what once was the largest, most dependable voting bloc in America,” McFarland said.
At least one organization is working hard to encourage Christians to become just that type of force.
"We are here to awaken and mobilize the body of Christ to do three simple things," says Bunni Pounds, founder and president of Christians Engaged. "Pray for our government leaders, for America to start voting in every election and to engage in education and involvement for the well-being of the country."
When it comes to voting, that is something that millions of Christians choose not to do every election. Pounds sees voting as stewardship and loving your neighbor by electing righteous leaders.
Getting the word out
"We send out texts and e-mail reminders around every election in the country," says Pounds. "We've seen a huge increase in the Christians that make that commitment actually showing up at the polls,” she said.
Obviously not all 41 million would vote for the same candidate, but McFarland says the choice is obvious for those who bring their faith with them to the polls.
“For a Christian, the decision for whom to vote in 30 days should not be hard at all,” he said.
He says the reason many evangelicals will stay home in November is because their pastors have not helped them link the issues at stake in this election with scriptural principles and a biblical worldview.
“Sadly, the vast majority of preachers don't preach on this, but our citizenship and the preservation of the country is absolutely a stewardship issue,” McFarland said.
Christians Engaged, which began in 2018, also offers on-demand video curriculum to teach Christians things such as civics and a biblical worldview.
"We have incredible classes like Biblical Economics, Biblical Justice, Salt and Light, and how to impact the local communities," says Pounds. "We even have a full 20-hour campaign school for anybody who wants to run for office, so anybody can take a class and start being a leader in their community and we'll help you do that."
Pounds recently appeared at the Pray Vote Stand Summit, of which AFA Action is a sponsor.
An act of obedience
McFarland sees voting as a responsibility for believers. He says for a born-again Christian not to vote is ignoring Jesus' command to be salt and light to the world.
“Any Christian that just doesn't vote is really in disobedience, and any minister that is not in his pulpit apprising his parishioners of moral, social, political issues is not completely doing his job.”
