I’ve been asked over and over lately about where I stand on the issues of the presidential race. Usually I try to change the subject or avoid it all together. I’ve said before that I don’t like politics and don’t trust anyone running today. But if you have to know where I stand… I think that a bumper sticker I saw the other day sums it up. “Scared as Hell in ‘08″. Or apathetic as hell in 08.

I don’t consider myself Republican or Democrat. Both have points and both miss the mark greatly.

I’m pro environment and anti big business. I’m pro choice, but anti-abortion.

I support our troops, but I think war makes sense only in certain circumstances and we haven’t seen those circumstances in decades.

Christians who blindly vote Republican, are certainly not thinkers. They’re pro war and anti abortion. So the message is it’s okay to kill some, but not others.

I’m pretty anti-political. I don’t have much faith in the process, feeling that money and companies run most of it. So I choose to do the best with the time I have. I believe in helping the poor and those in need. I just do what I’m called to do and not worry about politics.

And who do I like for president? Hilary is scary. McCain is creepy. And Obama is good at sounding good.

So that’s where I stand. What about you?

After Super Tuesday, I’ve heard candidates from Hillary to Huckabee declare that they will “take back America.”  So, both liberals and conservatives say something is wrong. And if both Republicans and Democrats want to take back America… where has America gone?

You can’t turn anywhere and not hear about the candidates running for office. Democrats or Republicans, it doesn’t matter. They’re everywhere: on TV, newspapers, internet and signs in people’s front yards.

These candidates are basically giving up 2+ years of their lives for this. They’ll be spending tons of money (their’s and other people’s) and tons of time away their from family. Not to mention the fact that they’re opening themselves up to constant public scrutiny while trying to make everyone happy. All this to simply a vote. And if they do happen to get elected (which most won’t), then they’re on the job 24-7. And that means more time away from family, more spending of other peoples money, and more living to please others in order to stay where you are at.

It just doesn’t seem worth it to me. Maybe I’m just not idealistic enough (or too cynical).

So I was thinking… What would I be willing to give up two years of my life for?

Missions (i.e. the Lord) would be my first answer. Though I’d really have a hard time leaving my family for 2 years.  I can’t imagine not seeing my kids grow (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) over that 2 years. And the thought of not seeing my wife seems unbearable to me. Maybe that just means I don’t have faith enough. If I was called to, I would… but it would be a struggle. There is no second answer for me. I can’t see anything else on this earth being important enough to sacrifice 2 years with my family.

So, is there anything you’d give two years up for?

ABC’s Nightline recently ran a report about the the focus on religion in the upcoming 2008 elections for President. They said, “…in no modern-day election has the Lord played so prominent and consistent a role popping up on the trail..”

[ABC News]

God is popping up everywhere when it comes to the ‘08 race, but I think that the candidates approaching it all wrong. It’s all about pandering (so they think) to the voters. Though, I think that they’re about 4-8 years behind. What worked in the last election, isn’t playing in this one.

[youtube= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqtwLlrSssY]

McLaren, who’s no stranger to controversy, is here at a press conference for Media Matters and basically asserting that the “Religious Right” (politically) as we knew it was dead. He goes to say the topics that matter to Christians have changed, but the ideology of the Religious Right haven’t changed with them.

And I think you can already see it with Pat Robertson giving his endorsement of Rudy Giuliani. Robertson hasn’t been relevant since the 80’s (and some may argue he was never relevant). There’s this old political ideology that says if you get the endorsement of a certain religious leader it will make a difference in the race. But come on. Pat Robertson? How more out of touch can we be?

I’ll go out on a limb and say this: Jesus didn’t come to save America. Jesus is not an American. Jesus doesn’t give a rip about American politics (sorry, Dobson). This not his Kingdom and he could care less. What does Jesus care about? You. He cares about you. He cares about your heart. He cares about the meek, poor and suffering.

Can politics matter to you if you’re a Christian? Sure. It’s just not the topics they’re throwing out to Christians.

So what issues matter to you as a Christian?