Christians and Politics

At the current time, if you are in the US, you know that we are bitterly divided about one freed prisoner of war. You know that we are divided about the circumstances of his disappearance and those under which he was released. So many among us are engaged in mud-slinging, name-calling, early judgment calls, and hate. What should be a joyous occasion that should unite us all, has bitterly divided us. This isn't the only time we have been divided. It seems that over these past six years, we have been divided over one person and even over if he has the right to hold his position. As Christians, depending on if you support a "social gospel" or believe that we should stick to "personal discipleship only," you probably support one party over the other. If you are outside the US, you probably support your party in the context of your own culture. Is this what we are called to do?

The Current Controversy

In the US, I notice that we are divided and much of it is along party lines. You're doubtless aware of the raging controversy over Bowe Bergdahl, the former POW who had been held in an Afghanistan prison for almost five years. As Christians, many of us may be much concerned with the exchange of five prisoners, as who knows what these men may be let loose to do, especially to other Christians who may be in the line of fire? I'm hearing about numerous accusations of Bergdahl as being a "deserter" and a "traitor." President Obama is being accused of "treason" for "letting out a deserter and a traitor" as well as "letting out terrorists." Those five Gitmo detainees were not, according to reports, involved in the September 11 terrorist bombings. Yes, they are "bad guys." Yet now we are bitterly divided over a homecoming that should be a happy event. It's understandable, because of the circumstances of the former POW's disappearance and his rescue. Or the alleged circumstances. How would God have us respond not only to this but to our differing visions from our two-party system, that tend to cause us to divide so bitterly over hot-button issues and even in the Church?

How Should Faith Influence Our Politics?

It seems to me that in the Christian community, we have the "Christian Right" and the "Christian Left." The Christian Right subscribe to the conservative value system. This belief system holds that government is not the solution to our problems, and is, in fact, the problem. Because of this, it cannot be part of the solution. The exceptions are in the areas which the Christian Right see as core values, such as our right to life (anti-abortion, pro-gun rights), and homosexuality (anti-gay marriage, pro-traditional marriage). Only on these, conservatives hold, should politicians speak into our lives with their policies. The Christian Right seem to hold that all other issues are far less pressing than the two values they perceive as core values. Hence, they believe in "limited government" that emphasizes personal responsibility in all areas of life. In one's Christian life, the person who subscribes to this view seems to stress personal discipleship above social responsibility, making him or her seem indifferent to the human needs of a large portion of hurting humanity. Those who subscribe to the Christian Left value system often call themselves "progressive Christians." This belief system holds that the government has the potential to solve many of our social ills through their policies. Thus, progressive Christians call for what is known as a "consistent life ethic" where all life, and the lives of all people groups, are protected and upheld. Progressive Christians also call for improving the quality of life for all those who are vulnerable, like raising the minimum wage, improving workplace conditions, strengthening government programs, and more. Thus progressive Christians believe that government has a role in our lives while stressing our social responsibility. In our discipleship, progressives tend to stress a social gospel above relationship with God and our responsibility to share our faith. Which side is right? If you read the Bible, and especially explore the life of Jesus, you see that God transcends both worldviews. Just when we think that He supports a conservative worldview, we see His heart for the poor, the sick, the disabled, and sinners. He calls for social responsibility. Just when we think He sympathizes with the Democratic worldview, we see that He hates sin and loves holiness, and calls for personal responsibility. Realistically, when we go vote, we often vote for only one party. We do have the option of voting a split party ticket. Scripture does not tell us how to vote, but we are told to let God rule every area of our lives including our voting. So where does this leave us as Christians and as we think of the division over Bowe Bergdahl?

How Then To Respond To the Current Controversy

We know that Jesus wants all of us, as Christians, to be united. We also know that He calls on us to believe and teach according to the truth. We know that whether we subscribe to the Christian Right or to the Christian Left political worldview, we usually see our politics as better than our neighbor's? Or maybe I'm missing something here? The truth is that neither political party is all right or all wrong. So while we may differ in our politics and on varying issues, including the Bergdahl raging controversy, we can still love each other in Christ despite our political differences. Sadly, this does not always happen. In past months, a Christian personal removed me from her friend's list over a post I made on my Facebook profile, about President Obama. Maybe the split would not have happened if I had sent her my message via my message inbox but maybe it would have anyway. The debate and the person's name are not important; what is important is that a political difference had split up two believers. The US is bitterly divided over Bergdahl but let this controversy not divide us as believers. Bergdahl, after all, has just been accused of desertion and treason. Evidence is still murky in this area. The principles of Scripture call for people to be convicted of crimes only in a court of law through hard evidence. Public opinion does not count. Whatever has happened to patience and impartial justice no matter what our politics?

Christians, Let Nice Politics Prevail

It is one of two topics that has a way of bringing out the ugly, hateful, and mean in even the best of us. We let our emotions get all tied up in it, as we see others' differences as personal attacks. It is one of two topics on which we base our most fundamental and most deeply held values. It can strain or even end the closest of friendships. It divides us even if we are united about all other things. And yes, even in the Christian community, we allow our disagreements to turn into shouting matches or to decide to walk away from each other. Politics.

The Problem

We Christians in the West, and particularly in the US, are blessed to live in a democracy. The beauty of it lies in the fact that we can actively participate in it, petition our politicians for change, and we can even criticize our political leaders and disagree on politics. In so many countries, people are denied their human rights in these basic matters. We Christians have, in recent decades, grown very politically active. Yet in this political activity so many of us seem to have gotten involved in the wrong ingredients. Many Christians subscribe to staunch Conservative views, as the "religious right." Their support of the Republican party lies in prioritizing the sanctity of the life of the unborn, traditional marriage, and the work ethic. Nothing wrong with that! Another major faction in the Christian community subscribe to the Progressive view, as the "religious left." They base their support on the Biblical ethics of compassion for the poor, equal rights for the disenfranchised in society, strengthening workers through economic incentives, and promoting the celebration of our differences. Nothing wrong with that! There is, in my opinion, a valid place in the Body of Christ for both viewpoints. There is no place for sitting in judgment on each other, fighting with other, and shunning each other over our different views. Yet that is what I see going on in my Facebook network too often. And yes, it happens among us Christians.

My Experience

Because of my life experience, I had never identified fully with the "religious right" and I did not feel that I really fit in with them. "Christians don't let Christians vote Democrat," one bumper sticker at a Lutheran church we attended at the time, declared. In another church, a person was talking in a low voice, thinking we could not hear her, I guess. The topic was national health care. In a low voice, she stated, "I agree that people ought to have health insurance. I just do not think that it is the government's responsibility to provide it." I can go on and on. Those were two relatively mild examples. One day I requested a fellow church member to sign a petition to the Governor to reverse Medicaid cuts imposed on us by then Governor Matt Blunt. She refused to support me, saying, "I hate to take it out on the children, but people use EBT cards to buy alcohol. So I can't support this. Call it the sins of the fathers being visited on the children, but that's how I feel." So I was more attracted to the Progressive view, except for the view on marriage equality for gays and lesbians and the apparent silence on abortion. When I began to "friend" Christians and expand my social networks, I found that the overwhelming majority subscribed to Conservative views and disliked President Obama. A Facebook page, Christians Against Obama, sprung up and had much support among the Christian community. I found myself hiding many posts that vilified President Obama, and too many of those posts were by Christians. The one time I could not take any more Obama-bashing by a Christian Facebook friend, and I kindly but honestly called her out on it. She "unfriended" me. Given how even we Christians allow our biases, hate, and fear rule us when we discuss politics or religion, I regret simply doing what I usually do, ignore her over-the-top post. But, should I have to? Shouldn't we Christians engage each other on topics we care about, disagree but remain united in love?

The Solution

Where does this leave us? I know I have lost Facebook friendships because people did not like my politics. One of those deletions came from a Christian Facebook friend whom I had supported, encouraged, and prayed for. This lets me know that political differences often serve as deal-breakers even when relationships are otherwise good. Maybe, given how this topic puts people so emotionally on edge, and obviously put my Christian Facebook's emotions on edge, I should just have shut up and hidden her post in my feed. That is the sinful nature that resides even in us Christians. But even though some Christians seem to think we are exempted from honoring our President, the command still applies to us. Yet in too many Christian posts, I see that command being ignored or disobeyed. When the Bible tells, "We must obey God before man," He did not mean that we become anti-Government or spread hate about the President. Yes, I know that our politicians have failed us in many ways. They have lied to us. They put their petty party differences before our national good. Many of them fall prey to their passions and disgrace their high offices. I get disgusted, too. Yet we are told to pray for them. God obviously knew that politicians need a lot of prayer! Maybe if we all prayed more and attacked each other and our Government less, the world would be a better place. Right?

Let's be nice in our politics, brothers and sisters in Christ. As Jesus prayed for all of us the night before His crucifixion, "My prayer is that they be one." It's called unity in diversity.

Is God A Republican or A Democrat?

I have made an observation and it is pretty much across-the-board, among many Christian people in so many Christian denominations. I'm talking about how so many Christians are identifying themselves as Republicans because of their conviction that Republican values are more closely aligned with Biblical values than Democratic values. For the most part, they base their support of the Republican party on deep-seated convictions of the sanctity of life of all human life, including lives that may be seen as "better off dead." Also, they often base their support on the deep-seated conviction of the sanctity of traditional marriage as created by God to be between a man and a woman. And the Bible clearly addresses these issues, in both the Old and New Testaments. God clearly declares that He sees us as already alive from conception on (Jeremiah 4: 4), (Luke 1: 41-44) and that homosexuality as a lifestyle, is against His plan for us and unnatural Leviticus 18: 22), (Romans 1: 26-27) There are many others, who call themselves "progressive Christians," who support marriage equality and are neutral about abortion. They try to address the issue of homosexuality by redefining GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) by declaring that this lifestyle is not sinful and that we should just accept and affirm GLBT persons. They may deplore abortion as evil but believe that it should be available to women as an option. Progressive Christians place priority on caring for the socioeconomic needs of the poor, children, women, those with disabilities, and others who are vulnerable. The Bible clearly addresses our social responsibilities to our neighbors in need, in the Old and the New Testaments Nehemiah 5: 14-18), (Matthew 25: 34-45).
These are just two of countless verses from cover to cover!

Conservative Christians and progressive Christians have this in common, that God has spoken about what government's role should be and what our roles should be as Christians. Where conservative and progressive Christian differ is what they see that the role of government should be. Christians who support Republicans lean toward government's role in our lives being kept as small as possible, our personal liberties and responsibilities maximized, and that the government should be focused on protecting life and freedom and not spending money on government programs for "the underserving poor." Progressive Christians lean toward the government taking care of all vulnerable citizens while in no way denying personal responsibility or choice. There are factions in the Christian Church about which party we should support and which party more closely subscribes to Christian values. I think that this is based on where Christians come from and what they most value.

I grew up in a denomination that is staunchly conservative and that attracts many parishioners who support the Republican party. My observation of so many of these persons who I have encountered, whether in person or online, is that they prioritize moral issues like abortion and homosexuality, and do not see all the other issues as quite as pressing though they agree that these issues are important. These church people so often don't seem to put much priority on so many issues that the Bible clearly speaks to, especially our responsibility to the poor and vulnerable. Many years ago, when my spouse and I were members of the congregation that were married in, we were getting ready to pull out of our parking lot. I saw a bumper sticker that declared, "Friends do not let friends vote Democrat." Over and over, I have seen bumper stickers that have espoused "Republican" issues, particularly the right of the unborn to live, even when they are inconvenient to those around them. Years ago, on the weekend before one Election Day, our Pastor admonished all of us listeners to go to the polls and to "protect the unborn with our votes." I knew that this meant that we were to vote for Republicans.

Frankly, I felt politically alienated in the staunchly conservative Christian congregations that my spouse, daughter and I had been members of. I felt that we did not have much in common with so many fellow parishioners who supported the Republican party. So many of them seemed unaware of, even indifferent to, many moral issues which they seemed not to deem as priority as the sanctity of life and of traditional marriage. I agreed, and still do, that life begins at conception and should be protected from conception to death. I also agree that marriage, as God set it up in the Old Testament (Genesis 2:24) was meant to be between a man and a woman and He has not changed His mind about that (Matthew 19: 5,6). Frankly, I have never felt comfortable going to vote. I have often handled it by voting split-party, voting for a mix of Republicans and Democrats. I want my votes to protect ALL I value, not just a some! But I would hear, and still hear, conservative Christians shame their brethren who support Democrats, declaring, "God will hold you accountable for supporting candidates who endorse killing the unborn through abortion and who celebrate homosexuality!" I know no easy answers to this problem. Both the Republican and the Democratic parties embrace values that the God hold dear. Both parties also neglect values that God prizes. I'm bothered and offended when Christian leaders and pastors implicitly or explicitly endorse political parties or political candidates. Men like Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Rev. Billy Graham, has appeared on MSNBC to defend his conservative views and their superiority. Prolife groups have come out asking supporters to oppose President Obama and the Democratic Party.

I have heard it suggested that we Christians support "the lesser of two evils." The issue, as I see it, is what each of us sees as "the lesser of two evils." For many, that means voting straight Republican or straight Democrat. For some of us, it means voting a split-party ticket. I see nothing in the Bible that tells us which party or which politician  we should support. Christian leaders like Ron Sider and Jim Wallis lean are advocating for a consistent life ethic that would merge the best of both political parties.We are told to "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and render to God what is God's." We are told to pray for all politicians. Who should we support? The Bible does not tell us how to vote or which candidates to support. Of course, many Christians will disagree with me, but that is the way I read my Bible.

When Jesus lived among us as God made man, the reason so many rejected Him is because He would not get on any political soapbox, and stood up to the most rejected religious leaders of His day. I wonder what He would say about the factions in the Christian Church today?

God is not a Republican or a Democrat. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Praise Him. Photo courtesy of MorgueFile.com. Photo by Krosseel. This photo can be found here.