You might be reading this column a few days before or after the U.S. presidential election. At the time of my writing, the candidates are battling through the swing states, hoping to persuade the few remaining undecided voters. 

The election’s outcome is important, but, regardless of who wins the presidency, the United States faces critical issues its highest elected leader will need to address.

When it comes to politics, Anabaptists are in an unusual position. Most of Christianity is divided between progressive and conservative factions. Anabaptists are affected by this — look at how divisive LGBTQ+ inclusion has been for Mennonite Church USA — but an additional point of tension for us is whether to engage politically at all. 

I’m committed to political engagement because I believe it is our duty as Christians to alleviate suffering — and, unfortunately, unjust laws and failed government policies are leading causes of suffering. Political action is one way to minimize suffering and improve the lives of our neighbors.

Some of these neighbors are overseas. The wars in Gaza and Ukraine are among the pressing issues for U.S. voters. As I write in early October, Israel is expanding its war into Lebanon while continuing what many agree is genocide in Gaza. The U.S. is arming Israel to continue its war, and there is no cease-fire in sight. 

Peacemakers must pressure whoever is president to do everything possible to promote peace in the Middle East and call for a permanent cease-fire. A weapons embargo is an ambitious but necessary goal. 

In Ukraine, Russia continues its assault on a sovereign nation. But the U.S. president should resist Ukraine’s requests for more powerful weapons. Escalating the conflict could lead to an expanded war, including in the Middle East, and tempt Russia to use nuclear weapons. Diplomacy and peace are possible. Restraint is necessary. Anabaptist peacemakers must advocate for these things.

Closer to home, the U.S. faces a migrant crisis. The people trying to cross the border are seeking safety and refuge. The U.S. government should not prosecute them but engage compassionately, offering refuge and a path to citizenship. Unfortunately, both major political parties support criminalizing border crossings. Christians need to make the moral case — as a biblical mandate and as a principle of human rights — for treating immigrants with compassion.

An issue of both immediate and long-term concern is the climate catastrophe. This year, June was the 13th month in a row to break worldwide temperature records. Fatalities related to heat-related injuries are increasing worldwide. 

Sea levels are rising at a rate that has doubled in 10 years. Flooding and natural disasters follow rising sea levels. Climate change contributes to deadlier storms, causing hundreds of casualities, widespread suffering and vast property damage. 

The changing climate is the foremost issue of our time. We need a president who will mobilize the nation’s industries and people to lower carbon emissions and to develop and use renewable energy sources. With a calling to be caretakers of the planet, Christians must advocate for climate action.

The list of concerns goes on: income inequality and economic hardship, racial injustice, gun violence, lack of affordable and accessible health care. 

Further, in a theological but also practical vein, we need to resist Christian nationalism, as our ­Anabaptist forebears resisted oppressive Christendom in Europe 500 years ago. 

To address all these issues as people of faith, Anabaptists need to engage politically — for the good of our neighbors, our planet and our children’s future. 

Political action is necessary because, as the nation faces serious threats, Christianity in the United States does as well. Far too many U.S. Christians, especially White evangelicals, have chosen to stand on the wrong side of these issues, advocating for the worst outcomes. These Christian brothers and sisters are a political force to be reckoned with. Anabaptists need to counter their damaging influence with prophetic words and actions. 

When Anabaptists advocate for peace, justice and compassion for neighbors, we are doing our part to turn the tide of U.S. Christianity away from a dis­torted version of our faith and toward the ways of Jesus. These battles are a struggle for the gospel itself.