In his latest opinion article, NRB President & CEO Troy A. Miller assesses the factors that have negatively influenced evangelicals against participating in U.S. elections with maximum force—and argues that it is essential they get out to vote this November. Read the full op-ed in Fox Opinion.
Evangelicals have the numbers to decide the U.S. presidency, if they turn out. This fact has led many to ask, who are evangelicals and what do they want?
With recent research estimating that nearly one-third of the 25–30 million American evangelicals—including millions in swing states—opted not to vote in the last presidential election, both parties are making efforts to win that voting bloc. Yet, polling indicates that no presidential candidate in the current race can decisively lean on the faith vote to turn out in their support.
Miller writes that American evangelicals are withdrawing out of “backlash to emotional manipulation in politics.” He wrote, “Politicians and their proxies in religious circles have distorted public policy issues to manipulate and confuse well-meaning Christian voters.” Impactful political issues with clear moral dimensions have been distorted through vague appeals to Christian-like empathy and understanding.
Yet, Miller argues that Christians “are waking up to the fact that niceties do not convert fundamentally bad ideas into good or biblical policies.”
Miller also argues that “most Christian voters have not had the opportunity to hear their own pastors speak freely about the issues at stake.” A certain legal restriction contributes to this: The Johnson Amendment, the provision in the Internal Revenue Code that restricts 501 (c)(3) nonprofits, including churches, from making statements of support or opposition to political candidates or even comparing the positions of candidates to Scripture, has long prevented pastors from speaking freely about issues on the ballot.
NRB recently mounted a free speech challenge to the Johnson Amendment. Without such restrictions, pastors will be able to exercise their First Amendment freedom to speak to their congregants on any issue their faith informs, during election season or otherwise.
With the election just two weeks away, few voters are still making up their minds between former President Donald J. Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. Rather, voters are wavering between action and inaction, Miller argues.
“The justification for participating in the 2024 presidential election does not rest on the religious devotion or clean moral track record of any candidate for office,” wrote Miller. “I believe that every Christian has a moral and ethical duty to participate in this election.”
With the multitude of grave and challenging issues facing the country, it is no question that the next president will need great strength, fortitude, and moral clarity to choose the correct course of action. Voters must help make that choice.
This election has been marked by violence and bloodshed—a reflection of the spiritual condition of the country.
“The 2024 presidential election has been a national encounter with spiritual darkness. The forces of evil have shown up. Will Christians respond?” challenged Miller. “We must not only pray steadfastly for America’s spiritual welfare, but we must show up to vote with determination and resolve come Nov. 5.”
Each of the two candidates have offered radically different visions for the country which hold heavy weight for serious issues of Christian concern.
On one hand, Trump has never claimed his policies are based on Christianity but rather are determined by pragmatism and common sense.
Yet, Miller argues “he has demonstrated openness to persuasion on moral issues and has pledged to safeguard the free exercise of religion and conscience protections that are cherished by religious believers.”
On the other hand, Harris claims faith as a direct justification for her actions and has turned to faith leaders to lend their support and credibility, even on policies such as unrestricted abortion.
“There are multiple issues at stake in this election which Scripture addresses clearly,” argues Miller. “Bound up in these diverging visions for America are numerous proposals that Christian voters must diligently examine from a biblical viewpoint, such as protecting the innocence of children, promoting a culture of life and family formation, empowering parents, ending the unjust weaponization of government and defending against persecution of Christians.”
As election day draws near, Miller shares a word of encouragement and warning.
“Voters who feel torn by the presidency need to remember that there are issues and candidates up and down the ballot whose decisions will directly impact the state and community where you live,” he writes.
In an election that involves questions of moral good and evil, “Our country needs you at the ballot box,” Miller concludes. “As Christians, we willingly render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s.”
Read the full op-ed in Fox Opinion here and vote November 5.