Religion and Politics

We have all been taught that we shouldn't discuss religion and politics. They are the two topics that are felt with the most passion, and can cause deep division amongst family members and friends of many years. But that poses a great challenge for me, because there is so much about the political beliefs I hold that are also deeply held beliefs of my faith. The two go hand in hand. So it becomes a deep challenge when I encounter brothers and sisters in the faith who believe opposite of me, and yet also feel it because of their Christian Faith.

Right now in our country, we have a huge divide. There are those in the religious right who take strong stands on abortion, war, homosexuality, and a strong stand on evangelical Christianity. In those circles, to be Christian is to be Republican, and to be Republican is to be evangelical Christian.

On the other side there are those who are equally strong in Christian commitment and faith, but take much different stands on some of the above mentioned positions. They also would say that Christianity is so much more than what we believe about abortion or homosexuality. They have taken strong stands against the war in Iraq, and believe that the religious right have ignored the Biblical injunctions regarding our care of the poor. I definitely fall in this camp. Of late, especially during the George W. Bush years, there has been a strong reaction to policies, but it goes beyond partisan differences. The differences are deeply held convictions of faith.

I have felt for many years that although I attended an "evangelical" seminary, that I no longer wanted to refer to myself as an evangelical Christian. I am pro choice. I believe that homosexuality is not a choice but how someone is born. To have some hold placards declaring, "God hates fags" is abhorrent to me, and I believe to God as well. I am vehemently against the war in Iraq, and believe that the decisions to go were immoral. But more than anything, I do not believe that being republican is synonymous with being Christian. While there are many wonderful Christians who are republican, there are also many wonderful Christians who are democrat. I am one of them! And as Jim Wallis said, "God is not a Republican, or a Democrat!" I am a woman pastor, and know completely that there are many out there who believe I shouldn't be because I am a woman. I believe that is a bunch of hooey.

Jim Wallis' book, "God's Politics: Why the Right is Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It." is a wonderful book. It gave voice to a huge community of Christians, who were mistakenly staying silent, out of not wanting to be associated with a definition of Christianity that didn't fit. Wallis challenged Christians to speak up, to use our voices, and to vote our conscience. His second book, The Great Awakening is discussing the result of God's Politics, and the Awakening that is happening across the country, regarding Christians who are very strong on our responsibility to the poor, to addressing issues of poverty, homelessness, and issues of social justice. It was the needed shot in the arm, or perverbial kick in the butt to get going, and use our voices.

So, I for one, am doing my best, by the grace of God to live out my faith, which includes in the polling booth. It is the place that I believe is a sacred place of responsibility, accountability, and in some very real ways, an act of worship.

And I have to declare that I will not be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin. I in fact, am a Mama for Obama!!! Amen? AMEN!!