The parliamentary bell has rung and the date for election has been set. As expected, the excitement that comes with the season is coming to a boil, but religious ministers are urging people to not allow their judgement to be clouded over the next few weeks leading up to Monday, May 7 when they go to the polls to cast their vote.
Pastor Jay Simms, senior pastor at Christian Life Church says election season is not the time to be divided and warring with one another. He said that no matter what is going on in society, all professing Christians need to put God first and foremost in their lives.
"It disturbs me that every election season politics divides families and churches. As a person I strongly believe that everyone has a right to vote for whomever they want, and their decision should not divide their homes or ruin relationships. At the end of the day, the season will end and you still have to go about your daily life. Therefore, no matter what, all Christians should continue to love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul, seek first the kingdom of God and of course love their neighbor as themselves."
Pastor Simms said after all is said and done, a group of people will rise as the new leaders of the country and no matter which side of the fence people are on, as Christians, he said it is their duty to pray for their leadership so that it will be fair, just and productive.
The non-denominational church leader said putting God in the backseat during this period is the worst thing professing Christians can do. And that cutting God out of the equation and not praying for guidance and protection can lead the country further astray. He said the most important thing for Christians to be doing at this time is binding together, no matter their political views to pray for the country's safe passage during this period and the rising up of the best people to run the nation.
"When it comes to politicians, particularly those who are professing Christians, it is all too important for them to remember that they are children of God first and then citizens of the country and political leaders second. Therefore, they should represent God in their walk and talk first, then to their respective parties," he said.
The Christian Life Church pastor said that too few politicians stick to their convictions during election season, and let party decisions take precedence over doing what they know is right. But it's a decision he said should never happen because although they may be called to lead, they should not let themselves be blinded into losing their integrity.
"I hope that all leaders use this season not just for political leverage, but to let their light shine so men can see their good works and glorify the heavenly father. Whatever is done in this season it should be done in love of God and fellow man. That's the bottom line."
Abundant Life Bible Church co-pastor, Gil Maycock, warns politicians to be careful in all that they do. Whether they profess Christianity or not, he said they should be wary of how they campaign and represent themselves and the opposing candidates. The minister says it is irresponsible for political candidates to cause unnecessary discord in the population simply for their own agenda.
"In this heated season, politicians should be extremely cautious of how they choose to run their campaigns. They should not let themselves get caught up in the political season and the rush that comes with it, and forget that they have to consider the nation first and foremost," said Pastor Maycock. "If they are to govern this nation they have to be responsible in campaign messages to ensure that in no way shape or form, by innuendo or anything else, that they do not stir up violence among the people. We are a religious people, so we are called to love and believe in the Christian message. So it should be remembered that this is not the season to destroy one another. This is a season to love."
The pastor urges politicians to stick with issues rather than personal attacks. He said they should always be putting others first, finding feasible and honest ways to solve issues and know that at the end of the day, whether they get in office or not, they still have a duty to uphold their integrity and serve the nation wholeheartedly.
"Our Bahamian people, we need to take advantage of this God-given privilege and vote for the person that best represents them - not just the party. I think we all should mature to the point that we want the best for constituencies and not get caught up in party politics."
Pastor Maycock said all Bahamians should pray for a peaceful election and for God to rise up the person he wishes to be in power. He said Christians should also be praying that whoever is elected will do what is right for everyone.
Pastor Leonard Johnson, president of the Atlantic Caribbean Union of Seventh Day Adventists said Christians should respect the rights of others around them. He said God has given man the spirit of choice - and to live in discord because their brother does not share their views is not in accordance with God's law.
"Christians should be using this time to evaluate the best people for the job and making their own personal choices on how they will vote. It is a personal decision that they must make in your own heart. Do not feel slighted when someone else has another view because it is not your right to force others to feel the way you do," said the pastor. "You, as a Christian, can only pray for the best result at the end of the day. God will rise leaders up and take them down accordingly and Christians should not be taking it upon themselves to fight a battle that God has control of."
Pastor Johnson said Christians should show respect for an individual who may have a different view or opinion, and that people have a right to think differently. He said they should use their time instead to pray for the people of the nation so that they would exercise a sense of reason, tolerance and understanding.
"I don't know if all politicians are Christians, but whether or not they are, they need to be mindful to offer themselves in the right way to vie for leadership in this country," said Pastor Johnson. "They should demonstrate a high level of respect for one another, and they should speak to issues that concern the Bahamian people and the nation - particularly the future, as opposed to attacking an individual or their character. We should be operating at a high level since we claim to be a religious people. I also hope that politicians respect the outcome of what is to come and learn to support whichever leader is in power whether it is in their favor or not."

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