c. 2008 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) I am eager to vote on Nov. 4. In my mind, this is the most important national election since 1860.

I hope you are eager to vote, too. It is our duty as citizens to participate in the free speech and free elections that define our democracy. If we hold back on our opinions and stay home on Election Day, we deprive the commonwealth of our unique voice.

Some believe that it is their Christian duty to vote a certain way. I dispute that. These elections aren’t about a so-called “Christian agenda.” At their best, candidates and their campaigns have spoken to the values that Americans hold, not to a uniquely Christian package of virtues and views.

Faith says take this election seriously and defend vigorously the right of every citizen to vote. Faith does not, however, point to a particular candidate.

Christians will play their most crucial role on the day after Election Day. This presidential campaign has tapped the dark side of human nature. We have witnessed some disturbing lapses into demagoguery. People have been encouraged to hate and to voice their rage in scapegoating and cries of “Kill him.”

There is much to be angry about: a financial crisis brought on by greed and hubris; predatory commerce; the declining fortunes of most Americans; the loss of houses and hope; a sorry tarnishing of America’s world stature. But turning that anger into rage against minorities and divergent points of view is tragic and dangerous.

Promoting hatred comes easily to some politicians. Some strategists see nothing but votes in this dark side. But if we know anything about our nation’s history _ or German history in the mid-20th century _ we know that such tactics violate our most basic principles.

Nevertheless, lazy and cynical politicians have ventured onto this bleak ground, and many Americans have willingly followed along. The real challenge we face comes not on Nov. 4, but on Nov. 5, when we will need to deal with what the cynical and desperate have stirred up.

Many citizens will be deeply disappointed by the outcomes and will need a healthy way to express their disappointment. Many will feel triumphant and will need a way to go forward with magnanimity.

This is where faith must make a difference. Christians must stand, first, for honesty. If cheating occurs, it is an assault on everyone, not just those who had their votes stolen. We must stand for openness, including the open voicing of disappointment. We must stand for freedom, especially the freedom to disagree. We must stand for mercy and urge our political leaders to set aside their vitriol and to join hands in governance.

We must stand for balance. As we know from our own intra-Christian fights and brutalities, the enemy is extremism, not wrong-opinion. To have a common life, we must meet in the middle.

We must stand for love _ real love, not smarmy emotion or the feel-good of getting one’s way. Godly love turns down the engine of self-will and orients itself for the good of the other. Real love sacrifices. Real love sees the other as brother and sister. Real love forgives enemies. Real love creates communities of acceptance.

In the days to come, we will need a big dose of this love. Too many ugly genies of hatred have been loosed from too many bottles. We Christians must lead the way in restoring sanity.

(Tom Ehrich is a writer, church consultant and Episcopal priest based in New York. He is the author of “Just Wondering, Jesus,” and the founder of the Church Wellness Project, http://www.churchwellness.com. His Web site is http://www.morningwalkmedia.com.)

KRE/PH END EHRICH