In the last few months, America has been catching "Obama fever," and conservative Christians are not immune. Interestingly, younger believers feel that the dashing, soft-spoken Democrat best represents the platforms their founder would support.

In a recent poll conducted by Relevant Magazine, which is second in influence only to the Bible among twentysomething Christians, thousands of respondents were asked, "Who would Jesus vote for?" The number one response was Obama. Interestingly, the majority of respondents also described their political views as "conservative."

And Relevant Magazine is not the only one noticing the generational and thematic shift. National news reporters have also picked up on it. "This is not your father's evangelicalism," writes William McKenzie of the Dallas Morning News. "Nor the evangelicalism of even four years ago, when evangelicals helped re-elect George W."

Traditionally, a conservative Christian voting Democrat was unheard of. Many grew up thinking that if you were a Christian, you also voted Republican. And if you have attended a conservative church over the last 20 years, you have probably heard this espoused in some way from the pulpit.

This year, however, dyed-in-the-wool righties are facing a bit of a dilemma, as many think that no major party is running a truly conservative candidate.

This dilemma is causing many young Christians to re-evaluate which party stands for the issues their faith requires them to support. They are turning what should be a recipe for conservative confusion into an opportunity for evangelical evaluation. As I speak to my under-40 Christian friends, I notice that more and more of them are considering switching sides or simply not voting.

The next generation of Christians maintains a more holistic approach to life, culture and public policy. Unlike some of their predecessors, they don't cast votes based solely on one issue like abortion or gay marriage; they have a more extensive political repertoire. While remaining committed to traditional values, emerging Christians care deeply about human rights, AIDS in Africa, poverty, Darfur and the environment. These are issues they think Jesus would also be concerned about.

Jesus spoke often about the plight of the poor, and He told us to care for "the least of these" as if he was physically among us and we were caring for him. Since Jesus spent his time caring for the world around him, his younger followers believe we should too. Therefore, younger Christians are less concerned about toeing a party line and much more concerned with living a life consistent with the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Both parties have a golden opportunity to capture young evangelicals. If Democrats begin championing the sanctity of human life and traditional marriage, they may capture some of the powerful Christian voting bloc; if Republicans can develop an aggressive platform on issues like poverty and the environment, they can reverse the erosion of their evangelical base.

As things are, I am not so sure Jesus would vote for anyone.

> Jonathan Merritt of Atlanta is the spokesman for the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative and a faith and culture writer.