I had not seen the Huckabee video until I wrote the following which was sent to the local paper.

There have been a number of spokesmen urging people to base their vote selection in the upcoming election on "biblical principles". And I do believe that those of us who attempt to govern our lives by our Christian beliefs should exercise the same principles when we enter the voting booth. However, we should think a bit about the term 'biblical principles'. The crucifixion of Jesus was actually based upon 'biblical principles' and that crucifixion was engineered by the 'most religious' people of Jesus day. The people who plotted that crucifixion also happened to be among the most conservative religious people of that day.   There is no virtue in being religious or conservative. The virtue comes from how one conducts themselves and applies those religious beliefs.

Jesus never mentioned any of 'biblical principles' regarding abortion or homosexuality that are impressed upon voters. Nor were those issues central to the belief of Jews or Christians in earlier times. They have only become primary issues to those who wish to impose their beliefs on others. That action is certainly religious, but is neither Christian nor American. The boats leaving Europe for North America were filled with families seeking relief from having their lives controlled by someone else's religious beliefs. Descendents of these same people fought for this freedom in the Revolutionary War. Central to Jewish and Christian Biblical teaching is changing society by exemplary and charitable living.   

I would suggest that those among us who trust in the words of the Bible apply principles that are central to the teaching of Scripture. The word and concept of truth occurs 237 times in the New Testament. It occurs 106 times in the Old Testament. The word 'justice' occurs 41 times in the New Testament and 124 times in the Old Testament. The term 'love' is found 259 times in the New Testament and 438 times in the Old Testament and on many of those occasions it implies compassion which was central to the life and teaching of Jesus. Why not consider the central 'Biblical Principles' of Truth, Justice, and Compassion when we go into the voting booth.   

My final words are regarding a matter that was addressed often in the Old Testament, but has persisted to this day. In the book of Zechariah, chapter 13, the prophet writes: "I will remove the prophets and the sinful spirit from the land. If anyone again prophesies, then that person's birth father and mother will say, 'You won't live because you have told a lie in the name of the Lord.' Then that person's own father and mother will stab him when he prophesies". These harsh words came during a period when priests and prophets had aligned with powerful civil and economic forces to control and manipulate common citizens for their own personal gain. It is shameful and even sinful when those who claim to represent the Prince of Peace and Love align themselves with the rich and powerful and become a party to a campaign of deceit and lies under the guise of 'biblical principles' while ignoring the central message of truth and compassion.

Will anyone heed these words? Probably not. At least do this. Open your eyes. Open your minds.