In 1932, my Mother and Aunt Lizzie were uncertain how to answer a six year old boy who asked what he was, a Democrat or a Republican. Perhaps they hesitated because no one in the household had ever voted for a president.
My father was guided by what he believed to be God’s word to him in the Bible. He read in Daniel 4:17, 25, & 32 that God set over the nations whomsoever he will. He said jocularly that he didn’t know what God’s will was until after the election, so he wouldn’t vote.
More seriously, The Old Fool’s father had another reason for not voting. He was a conscientious objector to war and he felt it would be unfair to refuse to fight on orders of a man he had helped elect to office.
Even more The Old Fool’s father felt his duty was found in I Timothy 2:1-4: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
The Old Fool’s father was committed to live as much as possible like Jesus and to persuade others to believe in him and to live for him. That was his life. With such a father as this it is no wonder that The Old Fool did not vote in the early years of his adult life.
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