Issue Position: Faith

Issue Position

Q: Jimmy, I've heard you say you hated God, but you say you're a Christian and you're writing the Pawn Shop Preacher Blog. Are you a hypocrite just trying to get votes by claiming to have faith?

A: A long time ago I hated God and I admit that. When I was young, I felt that the God my mother had told me about had let me down and didn't care about me. He let my mother die. After that, my life went south, fast. No one wanted to connect with me because they didn't know how to reach out to me. The people I was around told me I was worthless and I believed them. I felt it was all God's fault and I hated him. I started looking for what made me feel better and those things didn't bring me close to God at all. But as an adult, I found God again, in my wife and my family. I discovered that God had been with me all along and had seen me through my years of hatred and was waiting for me to open the door to Him. Since I have, my life is not mine. It's His and I'm thankful for that. Now I have guidance and direction because I'm not self seeking anymore.

Q: Are you claiming your faith now to get votes?

A: No. I was telling people about Jesus long before I ever got into politics. My faith is a part of me. I've just come to realize that politics is a tool for making a difference in the lives of others. That's what I want to do. I'm not going to deny that my faith is what encourages me to use this as a way to reach people and do the work He's put me here to do. I'm not going to push a Bible down anyone's throat, but I'm not going to deny my faith either.

Source