Colson: Conservatives Held to Higher Standard -- and Rightly So
by Jim Brown
November 7, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A former special counsel to President Richard Nixon says scandals involving the likes of former Congressman Mark Foley and disgraced Colorado pastor Ted Haggard unfortunately make all conservatives appear to be hypocrites.Foley's immorality turned into a major national scandal, resulting in the Florida Republican resigning his seat and Washington Democrats calling for the head of House Speaker Dennis Hastert. But when Democratic Congressman Gerry Studds confessed to similar moral failure 20 years ago, the House clapped his wrist with a mild censure vote. Studds was re-elected and stayed in the House for years after that.
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Chuck Colson |
Prominent evangelical Christian author and commentator Chuck Colson says a double-standard clearly exists -- but it is justified, he adds."As conservatives, we are held to a higher standard -- and we should be," says Colson, "because we claim we are going preserve the moral order." Consequently, he says, when conservatives violate that moral order, it is "shocking." But when "the other side" violates it, he says "it's not so shocking because they simply say 'Give me power and I'll give you all the goodies of government.' So they're being consistent. We aren't."
Colson, founder of the ministry Prison Fellowship and oft-heard "Breakpoint" commentator, says a slew of moral and ethical scandals and "K Street money" are undermining the authority of conservatives in the House of Representatives. That is why the prominent Evangelical is urging Christians to vote for candidates that are "righteous, godly, and able." He says that is the advice that Jethro gave Moses in the Old Testament -- and it is the right advice, says Colson.
To stay at home and not vote, in Colson's opinion, is a sin "... because what you're doing is relinquishing your civic duty and civic responsibility." He shares that St. Augustine once said that Christians ought to be the best citizens "because they do out of love of God what others do only because they're required to."
"So we're setting an example," Colson continues. "If we sit home on Election Day, we're making a very bad witness to our neighbors. I think it's our civic responsibility. No matter who you're voting for, vote."
Colson, who lost his right to vote for 28 years, says anybody who does not vote does not realize the "priceless gift" they are neglecting.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
