Political science professors Troy Smith and Line-Noue Memea Kruse, and students Leslie Harper and Anne Tobon shared how they value their rights to vote and how their Christian values shape those views.
Religious influence in politics
Troy Smith, a professor in the Faculty of Business & Government, said the United States Constitution recognizes an individual’s right to worship as one’s choice. “This includes the right to use one’s faith to make political decisions and even support or oppose policies in the public square.”
Smith explained how most major religions recognize patriotism is part of being a good human, which is what religion concerns itself with also. Patriotism is belonging to and valuing being a member of a political community. The duties and obligations that go along with citizenship are doing good services for the state. Smith said, “When done well, religion will help individuals be both ‘good humans’ and ‘good citizens.’”
Leslie Harper, a freshman from Canada majoring in supply chain operations, said his beliefs are the basis of how he conducts his life and views the world around him. He shared he has strong beliefs in the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so agency is important to him.
“Lucifer wanted to force us, but the Savior gave us agency. I struggle when I am told what to do. Instead, I like to make my own decisions with good guidelines,” Harper shared. “I want my government to reflect my religious beliefs, which is the core of my life.”
Smith added the Constitution prohibits the government from favoring one religion over another. “Although what this means is sometimes disputed, I think the history confirms that this does not mean religion, in general, should be separate from politics but that the government cannot favor any specific religion over any other.”
Importance of voting
According to Smith, voting is an essential component of being a responsible citizen in the United States because voting is how the government’s priorities are established. The greater the number of people who vote, the harder it is for corrupt people to commit electoral fraud, he said. “Thoughts and beliefs are insufficient to make one a good person. Actions and works are also required, and voting is one of those basic actions.”
Harper explained because of democracy, he has an opportunity to choose who will represent him at the governmental level. “Someone told me if I don’t vote, I do not have a right to complain. We don’t always get the people we want, but if we don’t vote, we are guaranteed that we won’t get them at all.”
Line-Noue Memea Kruse, an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, said she sees the exercise of an engaged citizen through voting. “Oftentimes, I am amazed at the disastrously low percentage of registered voters who come out to vote in the United States.
“As a woman, I think of all the people who fought so hard for women to have the right to vote. This right was only enforced one generation ago. For years, women went through violence, intimidation, and political-voting disenfranchisement.”
Anne McCarrey Tobon, a senior from Laie majoring in anthropology, shared how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ prophets encourage its members to vote. “I believe it is good to vote. I vote every time when I have a chance.”
Tobon said she believes it is her responsibility and opportunity to share her opinions even though they are not always influential. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to say what is wrong or right because you don’t contribute either way. Through our good example, we can influence our country to be better.”
How to be a better voter
Smith said in order to become well informed about different candidates, voters should read multiple competing news sources. “There are very few good and unbiased news sources today. It is best to seek to be informed from multiple sources with competing viewpoints.”
Smith said he also follows individuals who have demonstrated a track record of commitment to truth, willingness to criticize their own side and non-ideological thinking. “For the politicians who are in office, we can look at their voting record to see how they vote and whether that matches what they say.”
Smith said the weakness of democracy is people will use the power of the vote to choose things that benefit themselves rather than the public good. Such behavior is selfish rather than good citizenship, and will be harmful to the state and polity, he added.
It is helpful to remember that the power of democracy is aggregating numbers to make important decisions, he said. “Do your best to be informed and make the right decision, but be grateful the fate of the world does not rest in your hands.”
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