SAN ANTONIO—Under the bright glare of Texas sunlight, Tim Weste greeted voters heading for the polls in a church on the suburban outskirts of this Texas town last week.
Weste, a community college teacher, is young, single, clean-cut, and earnest. His politics are straightforward and socially conservative: He opposes, on religious grounds, abortion and marriage between gay people.
As a conservative Christian and a Republican, Weste, like others I interviewed in Texas, considers himself a faith voter and is an example of the range of voters who say they choose their candidates and their issues based on religious principles.
“I am a Christian. I believe in reading the Bible and doing what it says,” said the 29-year-old, who comes from a long line of Baptist preachers but is one of a growing number of young people who’ve abandoned smaller, more traditional churches for the nation’s megachurches.
“What does the Bible say about abortion? Well, it says ‘I knew you when you were in your mother’s womb.’ What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Well, it’s condemned in the Bible,” he said.
Weste is an example of how religion and politics mix in the public square. He belongs to a nondenominational evangelical Christian church in a state where 34 percent of adults -- well above the national average -- identify themselves as Evangelical Protestants.
He began working on local and state Republican campaigns at 14. And he measures candidates by how close he believes their religious values line up with the Bible he’s been reading all his life. He supported former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for president in the Texas primary, and will probably vote for McCain, though he’s not excited about it.
If Weste is a good example of someone who votes his faith, he is also an example of how Christians sometimes interpret the Bible and their faith differently.
“I know Barak Obama is currently pointing to a scripture, ‘Judge not lest you be judged.’ And that is valid to a point,” said Weste, “but there are also moral standards that are set out in the Bible, so when I go in to vote, I take that into account.”
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Comments (11)
It's time for Dear Sally to pick up on much more important things than the simple confused or personal beliefs of writers in.
April 24, 2008 5:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on April 24, 2008 17:10
I feel Mr. Weste's fervor for the integration of faith and politics is not just admirable, but needed. Many of the commentators, for the most part name call, but lack substantive positions. Yes, we can debate the veracity of the Bible ALL day long (Please see Case for Christ by Lee Strobel); but it is most refreshing to know that faith isnt a compartmentalized entity, but the reason why someone would desires to serve others...by the way, I wonder out of all three candidates, who has a lock on the evang. voting block? They ALL say God bless you at the end of the speeches:)
March 18, 2008 8:07 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 18, 2008 20:07
To Rich: indeed the Bible does present the unvarnished truth about human behavior( hasn't changed much) and the wonderful news that God loves us anyway! A study of the life of KIng David is a great example!
To TJ: a little research on the Bible's authenticity please. I recommend McDowell's The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict
And to Tonio: The Biblical worldviews of most our founders are the very source of our liberty and our Constitution. Please research the founders' actual writings--not what textbooks say they said. David Barton's work on the subject is very good. Thomas Jefferson said that the best "wall" is that of freedom to express ourselves and our faith whenever and however we please: first Amendment to the Constitution.
That right is being vigorously exercised by us all right now!
Bravo! Mr. Weste!
March 15, 2008 7:38 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 15, 2008 19:38
The Bible also tells us how Lot had sex with both of his daughters after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, so would Mr. Weste advocate that we have sex with our children every time we think our world is coming to an end? I doubt it. There are plenty of things in the bible that are never talked about, and probably never even taught to these so-called people of faith. The point is that people like him are fools who allow themselves to be used by others by giving away their votes, their time and their money on the basis of flimsy but effective and seductive appeals to their emotions.
March 13, 2008 10:29 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 13, 2008 10:29
This individual uses ancient literature of questionable origin and content, and his own desperate faith that it describes reality, as his guide for voting in our constitutional republic? And people are surprised or offended that I would label him as I did?
Being expected to take the position of faith seriously gets exasperating at times.
March 12, 2008 6:10 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 12, 2008 18:10
TJ although I disagree with Tonio I can at least respect him for sharing his opinions just calling someone an idiot may be an opinion but could you please at least enlighten us with your reasons why you think he is an idiot? Or is it easier to just call people names without having to back them up?
March 12, 2008 11:08 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 12, 2008 11:08
I've read the offensive comments and I am filled with disgust at the idiots who have responded in such manner. And these people vote??
No wonder our country is where it is today, for there are not enough voices such as this thoughtful and courageous young man who is willing to be heard.
Surely God has and does smile on the words and conviction of this outstanding Christian while still loving those who oppose His truths.
But shame on you - all of you!
March 12, 2008 10:27 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 12, 2008 10:27
Weste is exactly the type of voter who would lead the United States toward theocracy. I doubt that he consciously want to overturn secular government, and it would be inappropriate to dismiss him as an idiot. He probably believes he is doing the right thing. However, his belief that the Bible is the final authority on everything is fundamentally incompatible with democracy and freedom, because that belief rejects everything that doesn't agree with the Bible. There are many secular ideologies that have that same oppressive rigidity, but those ideologies generally don't claim to be absolute moral authorities.
March 12, 2008 8:38 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 12, 2008 08:38
Oh but I do have an opinion. It's that this guy, and anyone else that would call themselves a 'values voter', is an idiot.
March 12, 2008 8:16 AM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 12, 2008 08:16
Isn't America Great?! I love a country where those that have opinions can express them and those who don't have opinions can call names.
March 11, 2008 8:32 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 11, 2008 20:32
Thanks for this delicate and thoughtful portrait of an idiot.
March 10, 2008 4:11 PM | Report Offensive Comments
Posted on March 10, 2008 16:11