Tuesday, November 04, 2008
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Submit, even in the...Voting Booth??
I just had a thought and then I thought, this might make a good blog entry...esp. since it's been a while since I've updated this one. I, myself, am a single lady, and therefore, when I do a lot of things in my life, and make certain decisions, I don't really have to ask anyone else. It's between me and God. But, I am also a Christian, and I firmly believe in the commands in the Bible, "Women, submit to your husbands. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church."
So, when I get married, I know that my independence will change, and in areas where I think I know better, I will have to learn and readly submit to my husband in his decision-making. Not to say that I will follow blindly, but hopefully the marriage will be a forum, where my views and ideas are easily given and received, and then a more appropriate decision can be made for the family as a whole.
But this is all fine and dandy. What I was really curious about is everyone's thought on how much authority the man has in a marriage...does it extend to every day minor things (goodness, I hope I wouldn't be expected to call my hubby when trying to decide between a chicken wrap or a ham sandwich for lunch), and for even the globally big things? Like in America, we have the sovereign right to vote individually. We have an opportunity to declare our own beliefs, views, and thoughts on how our government should be run. When I go in the voting booth, would I be expected to follow my husband?
Some might think this is a weird question, but I really want to know your thoughts on it. Where do the lines of submission begin and end? There are some things you just don't agree with your spouse on...could you put those aside to submit even in the voting booth? It's a pretty big decision. Even if you aren't Christian, how much loyalty do you give to your SO? I can't say that I have my own established idea on this. I'm still hammering it out in my own mind, and probably won't be able to decide what I would do until I'm faced with the circumstance. What about you?! Please tell!
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Comments (9)
I think this is a great question for Christians to take seriously. (And yes, I know that non-Christians will laugh at us and think we're crazy, ha, but so be it). What does the Biblical concept of submission really mean? Is it just respect? Is it obedience? Is it leadership? I'm not sure. I am pretty sure that you should be allowed to vote as you wish...but then I think about it more, and isn't voting a rather serious decision that a family should agree on together? I'm not sure.
@GreekPhysique@xanga - Thanks!
I had a talk with my mom about it and she is of the persuasion that our vote is our own and that women shouldn't be dictated by their husbands as to who they vote for. But, I'm not wholly sold on it yet. I spoke with my best friend about it and she's much more of a fly-by-emotions kind of girl...so she said that her boyfriend/husband's political views would not sway her in her own vote...but her boyfriend also has the same political views as her...so it wasn't a challenge for her this time around. I'm not sure though, and after talking more about it with her, she is questioning it herself. I wish I could get more people to comment on this...it would be interesting to hear what everyone's arguments would be for their own beliefs.
Well, I recommended, we'll see what people think...but I can bet non-Christians are going to think we're crazy, ha.
That's a really good question. And yes, non-Christians will think we are crazy, but, I'm alright with that.
I don't know the answer to it either. I would think yes, she should consult her husband on the subject, as it is a pretty major decision. (even though the likelihood of being that deciding vote is very low) Hopefully they'll already agree on it anyway.
It's an interesting question. I don't know if there really is an easy answer to it.
I'm going to recommend this entry too. (not as if my rec. has that much weight though.)
Came here on a rec. To me the line of submission focuses around the idea of creating a respectful culture in major decisions and defining the role of the leader. This role is to be a support but allows you to also think for yourself. Voting is a major decision so there should be discussion; however, because of the private nature we have set up with our country I see no reason why you should not follow the direction that you believe correct. In theory you would be in agreement but I see no reason why you could not vote as you believe correct if there was a disagreement- just make sure to maintain a respectful relationship (from both sides) and to not vilify or attack the other's position.
hmmm, this is a tough question. I believe in submitting to one's husband, but then I'm an independent thinker as well. I think submission extends to family issues. If it affects your family DIRECTLY then yes. I think you need to submit. While it can be argued that voting affects the family, I think it has to be a personal choice, between you and God. That is just my humble opinion though.
You should prayerfully consider your options and vote for whomever God directs you.
God's authority trumps husband authority every time.
@yertmax6680@xanga - @lizheartshakespeare@xanga - @Ro_ad808@xanga - @Tom -
Thanks for all your input! :)
Ideally, your spouse and you would agree on something as big as political views and leadership for your country...but the reality is that people just don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, even within marriage. I would think that electing a national leader would be something that would directly affect my family, so I'm not sure how valid that point could be. But it is a very gray topic. I'm not sure which way I lean yet on it. yertmax, from hearing other women's testimonies on their own matters of submission, I think that the authority of the husband is only trumped when it goes directly against Scripture. Through some accounts, difficult decisions needed to be made for the family, and even though the wife firmly felt that she was hearing God more clearly than her husband, when he made the final decision, she went with him because her position is in submission to him. God later honored that decision by bringing good through the whole of it...where they found out that so long as they are seeking God, He will bless them. It's a tough call.
The question is, is this a big enough issue to fall under that umbrella of authority. Is it akin to cheering for another college's football team? Or is it deeper than that? I agree that our nation's system is a very private and individualized in the right to practice and believe what you yourself want...but is that altogether biblical? Just because Caesar sets up a certain liberty for the citizens, does that mean we just go along with it or do we first go to the Bible and then see how Caesar fits into it?
Hmm, that is something interesting to consider. Me and my boyfriend generally have the same ideas when it comes to politics. But, I know that if our opinions were to differ, I would vote for whoever I wanted to. :/ I mean, if the woman were to submit to her husband in all other different kinds of ways, it couldn't hurt for her not to there. Plus, voting isn't nearly as important as some other, more personal things. But, that's my odd opinion. I don't know, shoot; if I were to ask one of my friends about this they'd probably think I was crazy. I don't think any of them are Christians, and I believe that a good handful of them have a thing going on in their mind where submitting is a terrible idea that'll make them zombies or something.