Christians and
Politics
As I write this on Tuesday morning, November 6th,
2012, I’m convinced today is the day that Christians are most divided this year.
Why? Because by the end of the day we will know whom our 45th
president of the United States will be. As Christians many of us feel that
there is clearly one right choice for president, some would say Obama, some
would say Romney, some perhaps would chose to not vote at all. And clearly as
Christians we are divided on who we will vote for and that’s ok, but is it ok
that the body of Christ (his church) be divided like we are?
I believe how we act during election time gives Christianity much of a
black eye. Do we really act as one body of Christ, when we are so divided,
calling each other names, arguing like children and the sinful ways we act toward
one another during this time? I hear people say ridiculous things like “the world is going to end if this person
gets elected” or people being certain that one candidate is “God’s choice”. Just go on Facebook or
twitter and see how ugly it is.
Do we ever take time to ask people who are voting differently than us why
they are and then just listen to their reasons why, so that we might learn
something? Do we even know why we vote for whom we vote for? Do we know
anything about the difference between democrat and republican? Do we know that
there are others that are just as passionate about the opposing candidate as
you are about your candidate and they love Jesus just as much as you do? And if
you know this, do you really believe it? Do we realize there are many issues to vote
on other than just one or two issues that we should be concerned about as
Christians?
Do you realize that both political parties make vain promises and
stances about Faith and Religion to gain voters? I am against abortion
and think it is a terrible thing. But do you realize the issues like abortion,
even though a candidate is against it, are not up to be overturned or repealed?
We’ve had several Republican presidents that are Pro-Life since 1973, yet Roe
vs. Wade has still not been overturned. Do you realize that abortions have
actually been steadily declining since the 1970’s under Republican and Democrat
alike? (see source below)
I am all for social justice issues and causes and believe
Jesus cared about the poor and so should we. But do you realize that social
issues aren’t always solved by throwing money at them? That not only Democrats,
but also Republicans can support social issues, just in different ways?
We should never place our trust in one party or one person, we already
have one savior, and His name is Jesus. Jesus demands our allegiance as
Christians; our allegiance should be to Him first, not earthly governments or
systems. To borrow a few sentences from Jen Hatmaker’s blog, she puts it this
way
“I will never get in bed with a political
party, because full allegiance forfeits the right to call a party to reform,
and both parties are in dire need of reform. Full allegiance tempts us
to place our hope in secular government fueled by greed and power, and both
parties are fueled by greed and power. Full allegiance silences our
prophetic voice in favor of touting party lines and demands we turn our fellow
citizens into enemies for differing viewpoints.”
Do we realize that human government will not solve the moral or social
(individual and community) problems of our day? That Jesus’ message of
being salt and light to this earthly kingdom perhaps is the best approach and
answer to all these issues that we vote and pass off to politicians to do for
us. Perhaps Gandhi is on to something when he says, “be the change you want to see in the world”. The
church is perhaps the answer to the things we vote on and hope sinful, selfish
politicians we change for us.
This Election Day lets rally around Jesus and remember Jesus’ prayer
for us to be unified. Lets remember the sun will rise tomorrow and the world
will go on, no matter who is elected. Lets listen to someone who votes and
thinks differently than us. Lets be the change we want to see in the world as
the church. Lets look and act differently than the rest of the country does on Election
Day, so that the world will know we are His disciples.
Vote for Romney, vote for Obama or don’t vote at all. But disagree
respectfully, listen to each other, learn, have your hope in the right person
(Jesus) and be the change you want to see in the world.
Abortion Rates year by
year
Jesus for President
(Book) by Shane Claiborne
Thoughts from a
Christian Independent (Article) by Jen Hatmaker
The Problem with
Political Profiling (Article) by Relevant Magazine
