Voting in general election. Photo by Element5 Digital, Pexels.
On Saturday we go to the polls for a general election. It will determine the make-up of our government for the next three years, deciding which parties and which MPs are elected to form our 54th Parliament- so it’s hugely significant.
Murray Smith
Watching their campaigns build has offered some insight into candidates and the parties they represent – now we contemplate how we’ll vote… polling booths have already been open for a week so the race to the finishing line has begun.
For many, the casting motivation on how to vote relates to personal needs, wants and preferences, plus past loyalty. It’s problematic when the crucial issue of how we vote is formulated on the basis of, ‘what’s in it for me?’ ‘how will my family be advantaged’? ‘will my interests be advanced?’ ‘do I get more dollars in my back pocket’?
Those considerations are fair enough to some degree, especially for parents in tough times wanting to do right by their kids – but it’s problematic when such questions cloud the breadth and width of other essential issues screaming out for clear distilled thinking.
We’re witnessing complex social challenges today at levels never seen before.
There’s essential moral filters that must be applied to identify who’s most likely to govern well and introduce the greatest good in leading our country through these times. Right versus wrong, truth as opposed to deceit, honesty versus dishonesty, humility versus arrogance. It’s imperative that the current abounding debates around contentious social issues are evaluated wisely, recognising that the future wellbeing of our nation depends on this. It’s a fair question: which political party will be most inclined, most capable and committed to seeing sound decisions implemented?
This is a ‘faith column’ where each week, I try to share wisdom out of a care for people becoming empowered to live their best lives – not to peddle religion. I frequently refer to the Bible since it offers grounded, clear and reliable instruction relevant to every area of life – that includes government and our responses to it. Its inspired pages contain letters by an early church leader of the first century named Paul, who wrote to citizens throughout the ancient world facing issues we understand today. He addresses how to react to controlling governments, manipulative rulership well-practiced in corruption and injustice, that oppresses people and restricts their freedoms.
Paul earnestly called for people to pray for all those in authority, kings, rulers – good, bad or indifferent. Why? The reason he gave was so ‘that everyone might live a quiet, well-ordered, dignified life.’ The end in mind was creating environments and social structures conducive to securing stability, wholeness and freedom, where all people could flourish.
At the ballot box we’ll be asked to tick two boxes. Our challenge exists in determining which party ‘ticks the boxes’ for us… finding a political party whose stated values and strategies best reflect things you as a voter may hope for, can be the challenge in itself. Conscience compels us to lend support where non-negotiable values align closest with our own. Then the best thing to do is pray!
