Should faith influence voting in the upcoming Barbados elections?

My opinion would be an emphatic yes. Here are some common sense suggestions on the eve of the elections:

Voting guidelines - things to avoid in choosing a candidate:

1. Corruption
   How do you see corruption? Look at a person’s lifestyle compared to salary.
   If they are living like millionaires and earning a fraction of that, they
   may be corrupt (of course they may have won their money legitimately in a
   lottery somewhere where winners are not publicly announced).
2. Temper tantrums and violent outbursts
   Given to rage. This can be a sign of deeper problems.
3. Alcoholism, addiction and lust
   Having a few drinks may be fine, but alcoholism and public drunkenness is not compatible with public service. Most religions warn against uncontrolled longing and lasciviousness. see Ephesians 5:18, 1 Peter 4:3, Colossians 3:5
4. Habitual practitioners of actions not sanctioned by your faith
   Actions may include such things: lifestyle issues, foul language, excessive
   pride, greed and infatuation with worldly possessions.
5. Intimidation and abuse
   You may not want to choose a candidate if he/she has used the tactics of
   intimidation or abuse. You may also question whether politicians who allow a
   climate of intimidation or abuse should be elected to positions of
   power.
6. Anti-God philosophy
   For instance, the BLP appears to be following the philosophy of the atheist author of “the Anti-Christ”, as evidenced by their blog.

Things to look for in choosing a candidate

1. Good stable family life
   You may wish to choose a happily married candidate over a divorced candidate.
   Faithfulness, honesty and loyalty in relationships are a good indicator of
   the same in public life. Luke 16:10 - “He that is faithful in that
   which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least
   is unjust also in much.”
2. Treats all with love and respect
   You may wish to choose a person who treats all with love and respect, and a person who does not try to divide the population in order to rule them.
3. Consistency
   If a person is making deals with a certain type of person privately, and
   then attacking the same type publicly, this is an example of inconsistency
4. Compatible views
   A person whose views and behaviour are compatible with your faith.

Remember: Mathew 7:16 “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”

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