Can Christians Vote for a Mormon Candidate?

Christians daily face sincere questions as they attempt to live each day in accordance with the Word and the Spirit of God.  One of those questions that have been prompted lately is in the realm of politics:

Can a Christian Vote for a Mormon Presidential Candidate?

Former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney has thrown his proverbial hat into the ring of presidential candidates for the November 2008 election.  My reason for writing this article is not to evaluate him as a presidential contender per se, but to address the fact that he is a Mormon, and what that might mean to the Christian voter.

First, let me express the point that I do not believe that Mormons are Christians; their theology is a contradiction of the Christian faith.  While they portray themselves as "Christians" to society in general, they also believe that all "Christians" outside of Mormonism are heretics.  Having said that, when I ask the question: "Can Christians Vote for a Mormon Candidate?", I am making a clear distinction that voting for a Mormon is NOT the same as voting for a Christian.

Second, our presidential candidates are not seeking election to be the pastor of your church, nor to be the supreme prophet in a Theocratic nation.  He is seeking election to be the president of a secular country that has a semi-democratic form of government.

Third, is it theologically and morally okay to vote for a secularist (an unbelieving) presidential candidate, yet morally and theologically sinful to vote for a Mormon (a non-Christian) presidential candidate?

A few things come to my mind as I contemplate "who would Jesus vote for," or maybe more specifically: "who would Jesus NOT vote for?"

Scripture teaches us that all leaders of nations (both secular and otherwise) are placed in their seats of power and authority (see Romans 13:1-7) by God!  While that does not mean that God approves of their heart and motives, they are nonetheless placed in their position of power with the responsibility to lead in a manner that is in accord with God's will and God's ways.

While God provides clear litmus tests for who shall be considered for Church leadership (i.e. no secularists, but instead very holy-lifestyle Christians with a strong faith) He does not address how Christians should -- or should not -- vote in a secular form of a democratic government.  He does however command that we honor, respect, and pray for those who do land in the seats of power and authority.

So, here is a suggestion for when it comes time to vote:  Look carefully at the candidates, pray for God's wisdom, and to the best of your ability and conscience choose the one person that you believe would provide leadership that most closely matches the direction and the values that are consistent with what you know about God.

No, you won't have an exact match... the point is to vote for that candidate who is the closest to that ideal.

While I am still evaluating the presidential candidates (with more to likely enter the race in the coming months), I have not ruled out Mitt Romney simply because he is a Mormon.  If I choose someone else, it will not be on the basis of Romney's Mormon belief system... it will be on the basis of who will likely lead our nation with the integrity and the values that are closest to the ideals that I hold to be true to God's ways.

Someone might say that this sounds like you just vote for the lesser of the evils.  Well, if all you have for candidates are "evil" people, then yes, choose the lesser of the evils.  Thankfully though, I don't think all of our candidates are "evil."