As voters, examine your hearts and pick people who embody the highest values

How would you like to go into your house of worship and find yourself listening to an Election Day sermon?

For most of us in modern times, the idea sounds unusual at the very least, maybe even scandalous. We are, after all, a nation dedicated to the separation of church and state, and the idea of an Election Day sermon sounds dangerously close to partisan politics — not something our country’s founders believed should be mixed with religion. (Not to mention that such sermonizing in a modern church or temple would jeopardize tax benefits enjoyed by religious institutions.)

But 18th century American ministers stepped right up with such sermons, given on the Sunday before Election Day, or on Election Day itself. Or both. This was a particularly strong practice in the Congregationalist (Puritan) tradition, a denomination with strong ties to American Unitarianism. And Unitarianism is one strand of my faith tradition, Unitarian Universalism.

What if we modern-day clergy preached Election Day sermons?

Maybe it would not be as bad as it sounds. The 18th century preachers did not indulge in partisan politics, instead focusing on theology and values.

The theology, we might not necessarily emphasize. For instance, we long for the common good. But we might not be convinced that civil government is founded on an agreement between God and citizens to establish political systems that promote that good.

On the other hand, we would probably agree that office holders should be people of “proven wisdom, integrity, justice and holiness,” always working for the good of all. We would probably agree with the message that citizens have a duty to follow duly elected rulers as long as they maintain good character — with the corollary that we are duty-bound to resist office holders who act contrary to the implied agreement.

And we would certainly agree that all of us voters should examine our hearts and vote for people who embody our highest values, people who put the common good over narrow interests. People who “promote virtue and suppress vice,” in the quaint-sounding 18th century phrase.

Here are the values I would lift up, if I were giving an Election Day sermon.

I want compassion to be a high value in my leaders and laws, and I want them to respect all people, embodying the loving kindness that the Buddhists teach. I want to examine candidates and propositions for evidence that they value equality and justice, that they care for the poor, for the worth and dignity of every person. I want leaders who know that “the least of these” is important, just as Jesus said. I want politicians and laws that understand the interconnectedness of our modern world, who can conceive of international citizenship and collaboration.

As they respect the established rule of law, I want my leaders to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly.

Finally, I wish for integrity in my elected officials and their people. Whether I agree with a given person or not, I want them to be honest, straightforward, open and consistent in their dealings with all people.

With these spiritual values as my standards, I hope I will go to the polls and make constructive choices, choices that radiate with good for all. Another person using these very values might choose different candidates and issues, but the common good will be lifted up.

Go to the polls on Nov. 6. Vote your deepest, most respectful, most far-reaching values. Vote for the good of the most people, the good of our country.