Reconciling Faith with Politics

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:10 am by Faithful Democrats

Reconciling Faith with Politics 2013-05-09T06:10:02-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I watched with great interest a video clip on Senator Barack Obama's website concerning reconciling faith with politics. I personally find this a particular conflict, as many here do, considering not only do I consider myself a Democrat but a Christian too.

In the 1990s, the Democratic Party became labled, sometimes correctly, sometimes not, as a political party which did not believe in God or Christianity. Christians, such as myself, flocked to the Republican party which seemed to openly embrace Christianity and it's influence in society. The Democratic party became known as the hippy party, the left-wing socialist party which openly embraced all agendas regardless if those agendas could be construed as being immoral by Christian standards; such as the issues of abortion or gay rights.

While I was a member of the Republican party I was happy to be associated with people who openly espoused their faith. George W. Bush's open claim that he was a Christian and believed that the faith should play a role in government was one of the reasons I voted for him in the 2000 election. I believed strongly in his slogan of compassionate conservatism. Unfortunately, there is a vast difference between a pretty speech and actions. In regards to compassionate conservatism there seemed to be more conservatism than compassion in the policy. For all the Republicans claim as being defenders of Christianity, they too, violated the tenents of Christianity of tending justice with mercy and to look out for the poor. For better or for worse, they have also pursued a sort of religious war against the Muslims in the East tearing apart what was already a fragile peace between the two faiths since the end of the Gulf War in 1991.

As a Christian, I find myself torn between politics and choosing which party to vote for. I believe and support the some of the issues of the Democratic party such as education, a national health care plan and ending the war in Iraq but do not support it's stance on abortion or gay marriage as I feel that they conflict with my Christian values. On the Republican side, while I believe as Americans we need a strong national defense, have the right to bear arms as well as believe that people should be free to be individuals I do not believe in the right to wage war unconditionally, to spend tax money unwisely or to ignore the plight of the poor; particularly in the hurricane ravaged city of New Orleans.

I believe, as Senator Obama has stated, that faith in religion should be used to guide us in decisions made to govern but not to the point where it is overwhelming. We need to remember what the Republicans forgot, to love thy neighbor and to temper justice with mercy.

Politics should not have to be a choice of good versus evil but it is. Sadly, there seems to be more evil in politics than there is good. The conflict between faith and politics is a strong one for it has made me have to choose between the lesser of two evils.

To reconcile this, I've decided not to vote along party lines but upon the merits of the candidate in question. This is where Christianity and it's values come to play. While I feel it necessary to support my party, it is also very important to make sure what my party is supporting moves side by side by my own Christian perspectives. This is a tricky landscape to navigate filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of land mines. Here, one has to tread very, very carefully with religion for you could be perceived either as being strongly overbearing or a hypocrite who bends to every whim of the moment.

The best compass for navigating these troubled waters is the Bible; both Old and Newer Testaments. They have to be taken together and as a whole. Both books compliment one another; both Mosaic law and Christ's commandments work hand in hand.

God puts obstacles in our lives to test our character; to find out if we are worthy of being called His children. Playing politics could be one of the hardest tests He puts before us … do we choose God or do we choose loyalty to an earthy political body? Can we blend both? This is the challenge of reconciling faith with politics.

Reader Blogs

Previous Post

March 30, 2007

Pandering to the Wacko Fringe

Next Post

April 7, 2007 Long Live Agribusiness; Long Kill Human Beings

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: John is the only Gospel that records Jesus washing the disciples' feet.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE