Note: This post is a little heavy in Christianity and faith, because it is what I'm currently reading a lot about. Other posts won't be, but some others will...just a heads up because I know that's not everyone's cup of tea.
With another election coming up the news is flooded with stories and fun facts about prospective candidates. Mainly the circus that was formerly known as the Republicans. Why is it a circus? There are obvious jabs that can be made at Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry for their...well let's face it craziness. (Seriously, the things that come out of their mouths make Sarah Palin look like Abraham Lincoln).
However, there's an unsettling issue I have with the current state of politics and that is the way that religion is used in our political realm. Last I checked it was the Republican party not the Christian party.
Those two words have transformed into synonyms over the last twenty years, unfortunately. Where it started? I suppose we can blame Reagan, that is easy enough. Reagan might have began a trend to intertwine our religion with our politics, but he certainly did not perfect it. Religion has always been a part of our politics though, going back to our found fathers. However, they also established the rule of separation between church and state: a vital part of our identity as Americans.
I, personally, don't think it's necessarily politicians who have made this a real problem. In reality, Christians have embraced politics and political agendas, absorbing them into the Christian church's mission. This is not any denomination either. In fact all denominations use political "morals" as a stepping stone into their own "morals". Suddenly you are not a "proper" Christian if you do not vote a certain way or believe in a certain politician.
My question is a simple one: What does faith and belief in Jesus Christ have to do with politics?
My answer is simple as well: Nothing at all.
We have limited our Christian morality to two issues: abortion and gay rights. These are, granted, important issues that Christians of every denomination grapple with on a daily basis. However, what happened to the most important mission that Jesus called us all to do? To love your neighbor.
Politics have caused us to put a distance between "us and them". A mindset of you are either for us or against. Your politics either coincide with our so called "morality" or against.
I am currently reading Donald Miller's "Searching For God Knows What" where he discusses this topic in his chapter entitled "Morality". (To be honest I stole his idea of the fact that we have limited our morality between gay rights and abortion...it's a good point, let's be honest). Miller argues that Christians are not using Christ's language to live their life, but, instead, raging an unnecessary culture war.
We are throwing stones at whoever does not fit our mold of Christianity. Is it just my imagination or wasn't there some little story in a little book about throwing stones? Hmm...guess that's just in my head.
Miller puts it best:
Jesus did not lend Himself to war causes, to tax issues, or political campaigns. For that matter, He did not lend Himself to raising money for education or stumping for affirmative action. It was as if He did not trust us to build a utopia. He kept it very simple, in fact. "Follow Me" He said. "I have no opinion about what the color of this prison should be. Follow Me."
Maybe, instead of listening to what Bachmann, Perry and whatever the latest clown in the circus are "preaching" from their makeshift pulpit, Christians should follow Jesus first.
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