Religion and politics

One of the many things that bother me about modern day politics is the inclusion of religion as a means to sway voters. But it's not just any religion. Christianity has monopolized the public policy debate in today's political arena. Why don't we hear anything from Muslims? Or Buddhists? Or Hindus? Those faiths are just as legitimate to its members as Christianity is to me. To prohibit other religions from contributing their ideas and beliefs to the debate is a violation of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...". Get my point? If not, then it means Judeo-Christian values shouldn't be the only values the American public embrace. What makes Americans unique are their diversity in racial and ethnic backgrounds, opinions, and religious beliefs.

Another matter of concern is how politicians use faith to get votes. It's sickening. "Vote for me because I believe in God." I intentionally stay away from candidates who use faith as a crutch. To me, those candidates are telling me that they have no legitimate ideas worth voting for. Also, I find it insulting. Christians should be able to vote for whoever they want according to their own conviction! You don't have to tell me who to vote for... I can make my own decision. That's one very large reason I strongly dislike James Dobson and his "Focus on the Family" organization. He has a good message about wanting to maintain a strong family unit in today's troubled world. I like that message. What I don't like is when he uses his influence to suggest Christians vote Republican. It's not Christianity's job to endorse political parties. Many would argue that Jesus would want us to. On the contrary, I think Jesus made it quite clear in Mark 16:15 what he wants us to do: "And he told them, 'Go into the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.'" I didn't see anything where it mentions changing public opinion by forcefully dictating where the political winds should blow. In fact, Jesus would've wanted nothing to do with politics.

In Biblical days, politics played a major role in pagan religions such as the worship of Baal-berith. Governments often went so far as to hire temple prostitutes to bring in additional money. In many cases a religious system was set up and supported by the government so the offerings could fund community projects. Religion became a profit-making business (1). That's exactly why these candidates play the faith card: money -- which they then use to obtain power. If money doesn't do it, there are alternatives.

Remember Absalom, David's son who plotted against his father to take away the throne?

And when people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn't let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and embraced them. So in this way, Absalom stole the hearts of all the people of Israel -- 2 Samuel 15: 5-6

Absalom's political strategy was to steal the hearts of the people with his good looks, grand entrances, apparent concern for justice, and friendly embraces. Many were fooled and switched their allegiance. Later, however, Absalom proved to be an evil ruler (2). So can we really trust our politicians? I think not. Not even the one who claims to "love God".

Now, there are going to be those out there who will throw a temper-tantrum about what I just wrote, demanding why I would denounce Christianity and its purpose in this world. For starters, I'm not denouncing Christianity. I am, however, questioning its modern day purpose in this world. When Jesus gave us the Great Commission to "make disciples of the nations", he didn't intend it by means of a worldly political system, one in which the ruler of this earth -- Satan -- has control. In fact, I will go so far as to say that Christianity in politics is nothing but fraudulent. It's merely another interest group bent on gaining and keeping power, all in order to engineer social reforms. This being the case, Jesus would have replied "yes" instead of "Get out of here Satan" (Matthew 4:10) when offered the nations of the world and all their glory. But seeing as he didn't, Christianity shouldn't be exerting its will in public policy.

Christians are supposed to change society by the way they live; by example. Not by participating in a battle of political ideology. I know good Christians that vote Democrat because they claim Democrats do more to take care of the poor in the country and around the world. I know good Christians that vote Republican because of important social issues like abortion, gay marriage, and embryonic stem cell research. I know good Christians who vote as independents, focusing not on what religious political organizations like "Focus on the Family" tells them, but on the convictions God has put in their heart. Am I saying Christians shouldn't vote? No. I believe it's important as a citizen of this country to ensure the well-being of all Americans today and in the future.

What I am trying to say is that Christians can be loyal to both God and their government, but must not confuse the two. The church and the state are concerned with two entirely different spheres -- the spiritual and the physical -- and thus complement each other but do not work together (3). In essence, keep religion out of politics and always remember that Jesus was a social activist, not a political one.

References:
1, 2, & 3 are all fragments of the verse commentary found in my NLT translation of my Bible. The translations are on pages 369 (1); 484 (2); 1792 (3).