In recent weeks, we have seen the role of the candidates' faith become an increasingly focused upon subject. Just within the last few days, the Reverend Franklin Graham has come under fire for comments he made concerning President Obama and some of the Republican Party candidates. The purpose of this post is not to cast judgement on Rev. Graham, the President, or the Republican candidates. I simply want to point out the firestorm surrounding those comments.
Whether or not you agree with Rev. Graham, the matter of one's faith is a hotly discussed topic. Browsing the "twitterverse" after Rev. Graham's comments, I was completed dismayed at the comments posted on that social media. The amount of hate projected towards him specifically and Christians in general is truly disheartening. I actually read someone's comment about the need to bring back the colosseum games, including lions.
Also in recent days, an old speech of Senator Rick Santorum has come to light, in which he speaks of Satan's direct attack upon America. This has been roundly discussed and criticized among the media and others who do not support such an outspoken candidate. He has been accused of wanting to establish a theocracy if elected. He has attempted to downplay the speech and stay on point with his platform as the only true conservative candidate.
These two issues are the examples I choose to make my point. That point being that faith has come to be seen as a tool of division within politics. I have recently finished reading a book with the same title as this post written by former Senator John Danforth, in which he makes the same point. This was done in preparation of a presentation for my Doctor of Ministry seminar this semester. I will not summarize the book in this post, but do recommend it to you if you are interested in this subject.
As I write this, I cannot say that I have figured everything out, or that I have a convincing answer for this difficult topic. What I can say, and I believe with all my heart, is that regardless of your political or religious affiliation, let us attempt to humbly listen to each other and work together for the common good. Instead of demonizing everyone that disagrees with you, seek to affirm what you have in common, ask questions about the differences, and admit that we do not have all the answers. While we may have different opinions based on different world views, we are all God's creation and therefore each of us matters to Him.
Even in writing that statement, I know that not all will agree with me on that; and that is okay. What my Savior asks of me, is to seek His kingdom first, love God foremost, and to love others as I love myself. Those who profess Christ and have put their faith and trust in Him are called to be peacemakers. The responsibility is on us to be at peace with everyone if at all possible.
While my faith provides the moral guidelines for my life, and yes, will dictate my stance on certain social issues; it also dictates my stance on the shortcomings of BOTH political parties, and therefore I am not bound to any one political party. Faith does have a place in politics, but let us be extremely careful not to pigeon-hole political parties and candidates as Christian or non-Christian. My faith calls me to stand against injustice in ALL forms and to speak the truth in love to all people.
A Time magazine article published on Friday, May 31, 1963, states: "[Barth] recalls that 40 years ago he advised young theologians 'to take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.'" Barth here is Karl Barth, and regardless of your thoughts on his theology, he does make an excellent point. The Bible is to be our highest authority, and everything else must be measured against it, including our politics. In this post-modern age of reason and experience, let us be reminded that our reason can be fallible and our experiences can be misleading.
My hope from the discussion of faith and politics is that we think more clearly and behave more responsibly on this matter. I hope that during this election year, people from all points of life can come together, talk reasonably and honestly, and then work together to keep the ideals of our Founding Fathers alive and well. Can this happen; will this happen? Only time will tell...
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