On Feb. 6, Milligan hosted a student organized panel on voting from a Christian perspective. The event took place in Hyder auditorium at 7:00 p.m.
Panelists included Dr. Lee Blackburn, associate professor of history and humanities; Dr. Amy Edmonds, associate professor of political science and faculty advisor of Student Government Association; and Rep. Timothy Hill, a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 3.
The event was set up in discussion form with Dalton Shell, SGA treasurer, as moderator. He began the discussion with some questions he prepared in advance and then continued by taking written questions from the crowd, allowing students to become more involved in the process.
Students and/or young adults are known to be one of the least active voting groups. SGA chose to act on the issue by organizing this event in anticipation of the upcoming elections according to Ronan Philippot, a senior male representative for SGA.
Edmonds stressed the importance of justice and how it is impossible to achieve without involving political processes.
“I think that Dr. Edmonds’ point about justice being inseparable from politics is a critical one,” said Blackburn. “Justice is something that I hope would be important to Christians and non-Christians alike.”
Blackburn himself discussed the relation between religion and voting.
“I would not go so far as to say that there is a Christian duty to vote,” said Blackburn. “But I did try to stress that there are certain values… that should be in the forefront of Christians’ minds when they vote: the sanctity of human life, protection of the environment, the rights of workers, the avoidance of war, etc.”
There was one point however that he felt he did not make clear during the discussion.
“I believe that for Christians, voting should always be an expression of neighbor-love,” said Blackburn. “We vote precisely because we hope that our vote will in some small way help make the lives of our neighbors better.”
Overall, Edmonds and Blackburn encouraged students to consume news from reliable sources and to consider the importance of voting.
“Voting is a way of giving yourself a political voice; even if you vote for a losing candidate, your voice is heard,” said Blackburn.
This event came at a great reminder to students to vote and be politically involved, as Tennessee primaries will take place soon.