Would Jesus Vote For The Greens?

OK so here’s the thing…

I’m not really impressed with either of the major parties. Quite frankly they leave me feeling ‘meh’! And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in thinking that. Some polling suggests that it will be the independents who make the decisions in the next parliament. I’d say the level of dissatisfaction with politicians is pretty high – not that it’s ever been reasonable, but you get the picture.

My problem is that, as a disciple of Jesus, my agenda doesn’t really ‘fit’ with any political party platform. Sometimes I wind up on the left of an issue, sometimes the right. I don’t think I’m alone there either.

Recently I’ve been in conversations with people who have decided to vote for The Greens. The idea of voting green would have been anathema for Christians only a few years ago, but I suspect that they are tired (and quite possibly a little angry) with the traditional parties. The so-called ‘Christian’ parties are too far to the right for them, so The Greens seem to represent the only other viable alternative.

The struggle of course, lies in the fact that The Greens have a pretty anti-religious stance. Enforcing same-sex marriage, removing tax-exempt status for religious organisations. These are hardly things that a Christian is going to vote for. On the other hand, climate change, renewable energies, the environment seem to be increasingly important too. And so far The Greens are the only party to have an Asylum Seeker policy that looks like something Jesus would be happy with (comparatively speaking).

I was having this conversation with a couple recently when they alerted me to an issue I hadn’t thought about. What if these things are more important? What if caring for our environment, leaving coal in the ground, fostering equality and fairness, are things that Jesus would vote for? What if Jesus was prepared to take a hit on SSM, and tax exemptions so that Asylum Seekers could start a new life here? So that we could care for the environment the way God told us to in Genesis and other places? So that Australia could play a much larger part in Climate change?

What if we are meant to sacrifice ourselves, and our comfort so that some of these other issues can be addressed? Is this what Jesus wants from us at this time?

I’m well aware that this is a pretty ‘out there’ idea, and I can’t say that I’m comfortable with it. The Greens honestly still frighten me. But I’m trying to ask an honest question. Should I vote for my own comfort and safety over the comfort and safety of others?

I haven’t got an answer for that yet.