by Emily Acker

Created on: September 25, 2009   Last Updated: September 28, 2009

Faith is the very center of some people's lives, how could it not influence everything that they do?

Faith and politics, two of the most important things in my life - joined with family to be the three most important things in my life. My faith is very important to me, it is a top priority in my life. My political views are very important to me. My faith is where I draw most (if not all) of my political views from.

Because of my faith being so important to me, I was very excited to be able to vote for someone who shared my faith in the presidential election in 2008. Someone who not only shared my faith, but also shared most of my core political beliefs. I would love to be able to vote for someone who shares my faith and my political views every election, whether large or small. Politicians who share my faith very often share (a lot of) my political views as well... very often, I say, but that is not always the case.

And so, I must ask myself... Is it more important for me to vote for someone who shares my faith over someone who shares my political views? Definitely not! My political views - in this case - must come before my faith. I am pro-life, and therefore I want to vote for someone else who is pro-life. There are many politicians who - at least claim to - share my political views, and yet do not share my views on the right to life. I am against capital punishment, yet almost every politician (and average American) who - at least claims to - share my faith are 100% for capital punishment. I am going to vote for the candidate who shares the most of my political views, and then secondly who shares my faith.

Faith is number one in my life, but I don't believe that only those who have faith will make good congressmen, presidents, etc.. There are many great conservatives who don't share my faith. As there are also many "great" liberals who I disagree strongly with, but who also - at least claim to - share my faith.

Should ones faith influence a citizens vote? Yes, I do believe ones faith should influence their voting, if only in giving them some morals from which they will choose candidates who share them.

Learn more about this author, Emily Acker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.