Salvation cometh not by voting for McCain

I've been bemused by some of the messianic idolatry surrounding the candidacy of Barack Hussein Obama.

But now it's coming from John McCain supporters, too – at least one of whom is condemning my book, "None of the Above," as "unbiblical" because it advocates rejecting both of the major-party candidates as a tactical measure to take our country back.

Once "None of the Above" hit the bookstores and got some national attention, I didn't expect my contrarian ideas always to get a fair hearing. But I also didn't expect to be characterized as some sort of heretic by my own colleagues and fellow Christians. I didn't expect my ideas to be ruled "sinful." I didn't expect my notions of rejecting evil would be called "unscriptural."

VIDEO: Farah says smart choice 'none of the above'

Janet Parshall, host of "Janet Parshall's America," syndicated by the Salem Radio Network, told Christian TV host John Ankerberg Sunday, "There's a book floating around now called 'None of the Above' that advocates exactly the position that you talked about. When we do that we have advocated the antithetical position to what we know to be biblical truth. Because, when we sit it out, what we're saying, in essence, is, 'Our vote doesn't count. We don't care to influence and occupy.' The other person's vote takes precedence. The other person de facto gets the vote."

"Scripture says if you know what's right and you don't do it, that's called sin," she said. Believers, she added, are called to "influence and occupy" until Jesus returns. Thus, she concluded, when it comes to this November's election, Christians have a duty to vote for one of the two major presidential candidates – whichever seems most likely to advance their Christian values. And for Parshall and others on Sunday's broadcast, that's John McCain.

That's all fine for Parshall to express her viewpoint. But in so doing, she condemns my ideas as "antithetical" to "biblical truth," and implies I'm encouraging people to sin by not voting!

Am I surprised at having my faith and commitment to God questioned by someone because of my disagreement about John McCain?

Yes, I am. I admit it. This was a shocker. I didn't see this one coming.

I expected disagreement. I expected controversy. I expected forceful condemnation by those protecting their own political self-interest. But I did not expect a personal, spiritual and public indictment before believers from someone with the reputation of Janet Parshall.

Look, Janet Parshall is a fine Christian broadcaster, and I'm sure she thinks she's just arguing passionately for her beliefs regarding Christians' duty to vote. However, she also labels my book – and by extension, me, the author – as spreading an unbiblical and sinful message. That's where she goes astray. That's where she crosses the line. That's where she turns a disagreement between Christian believers over political strategy into an occasion to condemn a thought-provoking message as "antithetical" to Christianity.

Actually, I'm quite sure, based on her televised comments, that she has not read the book and doesn't even really understand my thesis regarding this election.

Mind you, I don't mind that Parshall disagrees with me. I welcome the debate. But I wish, rather than condemn my book as "unbiblical" on Christian TV, Janet had invited me to be a guest on her daily radio show so we could discuss our differences publicly. In fact, it's not too late – I stand ready to join her any time for a spirited and collegial debate.

But I must say in closing that it is nothing short of idol worship for Christians to deify the Republican Party and its nominees for the presidency as somehow beyond reproach by discerning believers – or to lift them up to the equivalent of Holy Writ. And above all, it is essential that in debating our viewpoints and strategies for restoring America to its Judeo-Christian glory, we don't misuse the Bible to spiritually condemn other believers over political disagreements.

To interview Joseph Farah, contact M. Sliwa Public Relations by e-mail, or call 973-272-2861 or 212-202-4453.