Study Finds That Election Has Awakened Urgency of Christian
Conservatives; 98% Say Outcome Will Affect Their Lives
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—With just over two months to go before one of the most headline-making elections in history, voters of all walks of faith are making careful considerations before heading to the polls.
Much like the “2016 Malaise Index” from Dr. Alex McFarland (www.AlexMcFarland.com), a new study from the American Culture and Faith Institute has found that Christian conservatives say this election has awakened a new sense of urgency in them, with an enormous 98 percent reporting that the outcome of the election will make a difference in their life.
The Institute tracks its research through the responses of SAGE Cons—Spiritually Active, Governance Engaged Conservatives—who, for this survey “have a mindset that there is no time to lose in leading America onto a different track for the future” and consider the 2016 election to be a major life event.
McFarland, a nationally known religion and culture expert, radio and television host, and author of the new book “Stand Strong America,” says that the Christian vote, especially in swing states, will make a huge difference in the results of the presidential election.
“The more that the faithful speak their minds at the polls, the better chance we have of seeing a values-driven leader at the helm of our country,” McFarland said. “And the issues important to evangelical voters are certainly the hot-button issues for this election: the appointment of Supreme Court justices, religious liberties, the sanctity of life, marriage and foreign policy. No longer can the faithful remain silent when it comes to the leadership of our country. The evidence of taking a back seat in politics is clear; no longer can we sit by idly as constitutional, foundational and biblical principles are swept under the rug.”
McFarland gives voters—especially those voters driven by their beliefs—eight considerations to make when they head to the polls on Nov. 8:
- Remember that “the perfect is the enemy of the good.”
- God can use any presidential candidate for His purpose; all candidates are flawed. Will we allow these flaws, which we all have, to cause us to cast a protest vote or not vote at all?
- Will my life be better or worse under this president?
- McFarland has been gathering responses for his own “2016 Malaise Index,” an online survey that gauges Americans’ outlook on society. More than 250 responses have been submitted at www.AlexMcFarland.com/survey. While the survey is in its beginning stages, trends are evident. For example, when queried with the statement, “My outlook on the culture as a whole compared to 10 years ago is…,” about 97 percent reported they felt “WORSE” about the culture, while the remaining respondents answered that they felt “BETTER” or “THE SAME.”
- Will this president protect my religious freedom?
- What are the candidates’ plans for preserving the religious liberties on which the country was founded, especially as more and more freedoms are being taken away?
- How will this candidate protect life?
- Abortion, euthanasia and other life matters have historically been important issues for voters—and 2016 is no different. While the Republican platform is one of the most pro-life in the party’s history, the Democratic platform asserts that a woman has the right to abort her unborn child—a black mark on the nation since Roe v. Wade in 1973.
- Will this candidate protect our country?
- With the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks later this month, the safety and defense of the country is of paramount importance. National security and recognition of those who seek to harm America must be a priority for the next president.
- Who will this president appoint to the Supreme Court?
Appointments to the Court have longstanding impact and is perhaps one of the most important considerations of the election. Justices appointed under the next president—whether liberal or conservative—will make long-lasting decisions for several decades.
- Will this president protect the financial resources with which God has entrusted us?
- Many people are struggling in today’s economy, and many policies could be enacted to ease the financial burden on Americans. All human beings long to have the dignity that comes with providing for their family.
- Will I feel good about the decisions this president will make?
- Overall, will I still be proud that I voted the way I did in four or eight years? And more importantly, did I carefully consider my vote in prayer?
Of the SAGE Cons polls by the American Culture and Faith Institute, nearly three-quarters of them (71 percent) say the outcome of the election will make a “big difference” in their lives. “Various factors contribute to their concern about the election,” the Institute reported. “For starters, more than four out of five SAGE Cons (83 percent) say they are extremely or very proud to be an American. That contrasts with just two-thirds of the SAGE Cons (67 percent) who do not plan to vote for Donald Trump.”
McFarland recently released his latest book, “Stand Strong America.” Co-authored with evangelist and apologist Jason Jimenez—McFarland’s co-host of the “Viral Truth” television program, which airs on the National Religious Broadcasters network—“Stand Strong America” addresses the idea that Americans are weary of the poor character and decisions of their leaders, who make laws that may not coincide with many Americans’ faith. The book is available at AlexMcFarland.com.
On Sept. 16, McFarland will lead a prayer rally at the “Heart & Soul: A Night of Prayer and Worship” event from 5 to 9 p.m. at Festival Park in Fayetteville, N.C. The rally and time of worship is a partnership between McFarland, Covenant Love Church and the American Family Association and is an opportunity to pray over our nation, cities, the Church and for the military and law enforcement officers. The event is free and no registration is required (unless volunteering; click here). For more information, visit www.heartandsoul.org, the event Facebook page or the promotional video. Those in the Fayetteville area who want to promote the event can download a social media image, poster, postcards or the promotional video.
McFarland is also the author of “The God You Thought You Knew: Exposing the 10 Biggest Myths About Christianity,” in which he dispels the myths and untruths about Christianity and replaces that with the truth of who God really is, as well as “10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer,” “10 Issues that Divide Christians,” “10 Answers for Skeptics” and the “Stand” series of devotions for teens. McFarland is an expert in the field of apologetics—the practice of defending the Christian faith in a world where faith in Christ is plummeting at alarming rates.
McFarland has spent years working with young people and takes their questions to heart. He has preached in more than 1,300 churches and has been featured at conferences such as the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Focus on the Family’s “Big Dig” and California’s “Spirit West Coast,” sharing the platform with Chuck Colson, Eric Metaxas, Josh McDowell and others. He also serves as Director for Christian Worldview and Apologetics at the Christian Worldview Center of North Greenville University (www.ngu.edu) in Greenville, S.C.
Part evangelist, part apologist, part educator and part broadcaster, McFarland focuses on communicating the message of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. He co-hosts the daily, live radio program “Exploring the Word” on American Family Radio’s Talk Network, heard on approximately 140 stations across the country, and the weekly television show “Viral Truth,” airing on the National Religious Broadcasters Network, which he co-hosts with Jason Jimenez.
For more information on Dr. Alex McFarland, visit www.AlexMcFarland.com or follow him on Facebook or on Twitter @AlexMcFarland.
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To book Dr. Alex McFarland for interviews, contact Beth Harrison at 610-584-1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, or Deborah Hamilton at 215-815-7716 or 610-584-1096, ext. 102.
