Today is Election Day, and while in the past we have tended to take the evening off so that folks can make sure they get to the polls before they close, this year we are moving ahead with our conversation.
As I’m sure you are aware, the state of politics in America is particularly fraught at the moment. We are divided in ways that are deeper and more contentious than most of us can remember. So tonight’s conversation is a good opportunity to think and talk about how our faith, or our moral and ethical compasses, shape what we do when we go to cast our votes.
Below is a quick list of some of the questions we’re going to take on. Some of them touch on ground we’ve treaded before, and some of them are brand new.
- Where has your anxiety level been regarding this current election season? What has contributed to that and how does it compare to how you’ve felt during previous elections?
- The Rev. Raphael Warnock, Senator from Georgia, said recently: “I believe a vote is a kind of sacred prayer about the kind of world we want to live in.” In light of this quote, how much should churches discuss voting and election-related things?
- Consider this quote from the Rev. Dr. William Barber: “Preachers don’t get to stay out of politics. We are either chaplains of empire or prophets of God.” Do you agree? How and where have you seen this done well? Done poorly?
We’ll consider these questions, and likely more, as the polls close and results start to come in from Michigan and around the country. Join us for the conversation this evening beginning at 7pm at 313 Pizza Bar in downtown Lake Orion.