Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Applying the Ten Commandments to the Election of Government Leaders


print Print  |  send Send to a friend  |  bookmark Bookmark  |   |   |  back Back

"Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:5).

Repairing the economical stability of the nation, foreign policy position, and stance on environmental resources as well as their protection are all important considerations for electing a government leader. Those campaigning for leadership roles often share their views with the public. Their viewpoints are simply projections of what a leader may or may not do should they become elected to a position of leadership. View points are not written in stone, can be changed with regularity, and are situational. Views should not be considered contractual agreements but represent the platform of the candidate at the time they are giving the speech.

So in reality how does a Christian elect a leader? Are there guidelines to be scrutinized for those candidates seeking election to a leadership role as to their past behaviors in other roles, their previous leadership experiences, and their family life? Or do we elect leaders based on camera friendliness, oratory ability, expensive clothing and presentation? Certainly theatrics have no place in political endeavors, and a good candidate for election can stand on their own merit rather than those with no political experience "backing them" or for that matter whom may not even hold a college degree in particular a degree in political science. Do you elect a leader based on the popularity of the movie star that supports them, an appealing television commercial, or a magazine ad? Have you considered listening to the candidate without any type of visual aid or preconceived idea of what they are capable of as a leader?

As Christians we have a non-prejudicial rating scale in which to examine the candidate that closely relates to those things which are God fearing and comprise a Godly nation. This scale of measurement is the Ten Commandments, as ancient as many written laws of governance themselves. The closer the candidate is to the adherence to the Ten Commandments the better the government official.

The First and Second Commandments of the Ten Commandments "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;" (Exodus 20:3-4) plainly states that a belief in God is of the first and utmost importance. How do you test a belief in God for someone you are not personally acquainted with? Do not know their family? Do not attend church with them?

What has been reported about the candidate's faith? Ask yourself is it sound practice, radical, hostile in its doctrine, or is it peaceful and loving as the Lord Jesus Christ practiced? Are all the candidates' family members Christian? While a person may not be electing a chaplain, they are electing a leader that will potentially make sudden decisions to protect our nation, make welfare decisions for those of all classes, and negotiate treaties with those of different cultures. These decisions could be based upon past upbringing, beliefs, and values he brings to the nation's capitol.

Lactanius (c.304-313) admonishes, "Civil law is one thing, which varies everywhere according to customs. However, justice is another thing—which God has set forth uniformly and simply to all."

The Third Commandment "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain" (Exodus 20:7) definitely means that we should not use the name of the Lord in deference to Him. But could the implication go further and say one should not use their church videotapes to promote the fact that they are Christian? Should it not be self-evident by the manner in which a candidate conducts and promotes himself? They should not have to sell their family life, their children, and offer explanations for why they attended a particular church for years with viewpoints that go against the premise of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth's teachings.

Clement of Alexandria (c. 195) taught, "By the counsels of holy men, states are managed well."

The Fourth Commandment is "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8) Is the candidate's church attendance regular? Or do they infrequently go to church due to political responsibilities, lack of enthusiasm, or simply the need to promote to the public that they attend church? Do they take time out of each day to pray for our nation? Does the candidate ask for prayers from their public following?

The Fifth Commandment of the Ten Commandments is "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). To come from a solid Christian background necessary to lead a country one must give honor to those that brought them into this world. Though it can be said that it is no fault of the child as to how he is brought into this world, which is correct, do we want a leader that has poor family relationships? How can we expect them to have the skills necessary to lead a country with two prominent political parties both diverse and often contrary to the other that has poor relationships with their most significant others? It would be unfair to elect a leader based on something perhaps not within his control but combine a mix of unstable parental relationships, questionable church teachings, and you have a mix for a potential luke-warm Christian leader at best.

The Sixth Commandment teaches us "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). As for the death penalty, it is God's commandment that the ruler may use it to avenge from the evil doers (Genesis 9:6), (Matthew 26:52), and (Romans 13:4). So the leader should be very careful lest he puts an innocent man to death and thus God will require this blood from his hands. How do the political candidates view abortion? Does your belief in the Ten Commandments allow you to vote for someone that believes in abortion? What about prochoice vs. prolife? The Lord Jesus said to them...

"...A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going" (John 12:35).

The Seventh Commandment plainly states "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). It seems only appropriate the public desires to see a leader with a spouse by his/her side. How many candidates do you see without a spouse running for elections? Many leaders have tried and failed during election campaigns to have their wife at their side and an affair behind the curtains. Usually when the affair is disclosed this impacts the election by the affair causing the candidate to lose. It has often been said that a man of one wife without extramarital affairs has staying power to stick with his beliefs and values once in office.

The Eighth Commandment "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15) is self explanatory. But in depth this stealing may go further than the surface of the command. Do you often find candidates quoting others thoughts and opinions without giving the originator credit or claiming these quotes as their own? Do you want a leader who has to "steal" others thoughts, opinions, and viewpoints giving himself the credit to be popular in the election race ratings or one that can propose solutions, advantages, and be productive? It is important for a leader to be honest and not to use his/her position for an unjust gain. A leader cannot steal experience, voting records, and past behaviors. These should be examined conscientiously by all Christians voting.

The Ninth Commandment "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16) is certainly a very important commandment to rate the leadership candidates by. Does your favorite candidate slur the other? Or does what they say hold truth? There is a definitive line between truth and possibility and you are to be accountable for this as you select your choice of leader for this great nation.

Cyprian (c. 250) said, "Those persons are more severely judged who in this world have had more power. Solomon says, 'the hardest judgment will be made on those who govern."

The Tenth Commandment "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's" (Exodus 20:17) speaks for itself. There are many natural resources that make our life in the United States comfortable and ones we have grown accustom to using excessively. These natural resources are not endless, but need to be conserved. Resources need to be consumed conservatively and with thought to the need for tomorrow's generation. Have natural resources become greedily utilized to excess which are certainly not necessary for human existence but a life style resistant to change. This comes with a higher cost. Wanting more (coveting) is not contentment and more is not satisfaction with life's circumstance but rather brings about economic fallout in the family and the country.

Should we go and take from others what we need and want or do we think out of the box concerning what we have, can transform, and what we can afford? Is it democracy to have everything that we want or to have the freedom to choose within availability what we want and can afford? Is democracy taking freedom from others or protecting our freedom and becoming self-reliant?

"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Origen (c.223) wrote, "Christ also restored the laws of ruler ship and government that had been corrupted. By subduing all enemies under His feet, He might teach rulers themselves moderation in their government."

There is much to consider when electing a leader. It is a blessing and a freedom to choose our leaders. We do not succumb to leadership of those born into a noble family, we do not succumb to leadership of corrupted elections, nor are Christians not allowed to lead this country. The personal freedom of choosing a leader should not be taken lightly but with all seriousness.

The Ten Commandments help us to determine a leader based on Godliness, character; inherit belief in the value of man as well as his personal responsibility. It is the basic foundation of a belief and value system.

While the economic crisis that will face a nation, the wars of man, and the terrorism surrounding us will always be important and potentially arising issues, it is not how candidates believe they will handle such conflicts but rather do they have the belief system coming into a leadership office that will help them do the job to the glory of the Lord. Often what one believes they will do on the campaign trail running for office and what will actually be done in a crisis situation may be different. What a leader will attempt to do and pass in Congress may be on their lips but what is actually done and passed can be another.

Godliness is essential in a leader. Uprightness and a fundamental sense of trust is a key to a legislative coherency and agreement on the best things for this great country of ours. If Godliness is within our leader, he will certainly be capable of leading and have the God given talent to do so. Through idealism the real hope, joy, and love of God can be perceived through a leader. For a Godly person when there is no way out of a bad situation, continues to move forward with grace of God.

"And Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.' So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was" (Exodus 20:20-21).

God bless you in this decision making process,

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States


print Print  |  send Send to a friend  |  bookmark Bookmark  |   |   |  back Back