Baptist Resolution Calls for ‘Moral Values’ Voting

With the 2008 federal election cycle heating up, the Southern Baptist Convention resolved Wednesday in Indianapolis at their annual pastors conference to encourage its members “to apply their spiritual and moral values to the political process,” Reuters reports.

The resolution on political engagement speaks to the 16 million U.S. members of the traditionally conservative evangelical denomination, which many pundits say was helpful in electing and re-electing current President George W. Bush. Though the denomination does not officially endorse candidates, many of its leaders are outspoken in their moral opposition to abortion and gay marriage, two issues often also opposed by Republican candidates.

“We plead with all Christians to exercise vigorously their responsibilities to participate in the political process by registering to vote, educating themselves about the issues, and voting according to their biblical beliefs, convictions and values,” the resolution reads.

As the stage is set for a presidential election between Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, many Southern Baptists in attendance at the conference left feeling like voting for president in 2008 will be “choosing the lesser of two liberals.” That, however, probably won’t preclude them from voting. In fact, the resolution contains a biblically related section that encourages members to pray for their leaders, regardless of whether or not they agree with them.

In strictly political circles, McCain has struggled to earn support from the evangelical community because of his moderate positions on campaign finance, stem cell research and immigration reform. Obama has turned off conservative voters for his quite liberal voting record on a wide spectrum of issues.

In contrast, last month a large contingent of evangelical Christians issued the “Evangelical Manifesto.” Though, like the SBC’s resolution, the manifesto encourages political activity, its focus, however, is to encourage evangelicals to look at different issues – poverty, health care, education – than they are known for examining.