Donkeys, Elephants, Sheeps and Goats

Politics are a stimulating conversation in many circles today. There has been an influx of books by Theologians and other Christian authors which speak of the role of the Christian when it comes to politics.

Though I'm interested in reading many of these works, I confess that I have not read any of them. These instead are my thoughts. I have a distinct political slant. I have a far more distinct Christian Faith. I long that the latter inform the former and not vice versa. I doubt people will likely agree with all the points I claim, I doubt that I will explain them as well in this blog as they are in my head, but a couple people said they were curious about my view on politics, so here goes.

I don't think politics should be awkward. I don't know who I'll vote for yet. I have no party affiliations. When election day comes, I will vote, and though I'll view it as a fortunate right to have in this country, it will mean little to me. I have little hope invested in politics to bring about the things I'd like to see in the life of individuals, a nation, or the world.

I'll start by confessing openly that I despise the default of many Christians to vote Republican because they feel that is the most faithful and biblical choice. Though in some elections, I might find the Republican candidate to be a better choice, I wouldn't place my eggs in a party basket because the so called "evangelical American movement" seems to be heading in that direction.

I equally despise choosing a Presidential candidate based on their profession of faith. I can't remember a President in my lifetime who didn't espouse to owning an individual faith in Christ. At least, they said they were Christian. This has shown to have little practical significance in the leading of many of those Presidents.

I haven't kept up much with the caucuses and primaries. I likely won't. I'll begin informing myself heavily on the candidates presented once the likely ballot names have been presented by all parties (not just the big two).

It's time to get far more controversial. If I had to vote today, based on my limited and vaguely broad understanding of the candidates I know, I doubt that I could punch, fill in a circle, digitally check, or write in a candidates name based solely on individual ethics. The President's stance on gay marriage, abortion, stem-cell research, or cloning mean very little to me. These are not the issues I will weigh in this election.

In being open, I'll admit that those individual stances had a large impact on my voting in the last election. I have not changed my point of view because of the current President, nor has it changed in the last four years, I simply thought that since that President would likely be appointing influential judges and lawmakers (of whom I would weigh heavily stances on individual ethic) I must weigh that heavily in my decision.

This election, I have been granted no such warning. Thus I'll look instead on finding a leader who I think will best move this nation and world towards what I think the Bible (again I hope my faith informs my politics and not vice-versa) espouses. I'll break it down in two large categories.

Legislated and national laws have never helped people that weren't moral, ethical, obedient, to become so. No better evidence is given than the nation of Israel immediately after they are given the Law from God himself. I don't care to hope that moral laws today will have any greater affect. Sin will run rampant, laws will not change that. I see no reason to elect a President based on their desire to see these laws one way or another. Even if those laws came into existence (I've never seen a President do something so drastic since maybe slavery), the motivations and sins behind people's choice to disobey will remain.

In the same fashion, legislating justice is impossible. That failure also can be seen in the Israelites whose law did not just deal with individual ethics, but also with the treatment of the poor, fatherless and widowed. They again, remained starkly unglamorous in their ability to hold those standards. I do however, see that this government has power to force people to be involved in such causes. I don't mind that.

I don't deserve any of the money that I will ever make. It is a gift. A product of chance and environment. I might initially complain and whine, because I'm as sinful and selfish as the next person, but if someone were to tax my income for programs that increase the well being of those less fortunate than myself, well then I can jump on board with that.

I don't think that this type of taxing and legislation is the best way to accomplish these things in the world, but I know that many people won't take any step themselves, let alone a step based in faith, if they are not forced. I don't mind if some people get forced to do this.

Ultimately again, my claim in the hope of politics to bring about the type of world I desire is minimal. I believe in a God who wants to use His people to accomplish these goals, and thus I hope to be obedient to Him above and beyond any obedience to a national law or a national leader.

I think that it is unfortunate that things in many churches, and no doubt in American society at large have placed the ideals of this country over the ideals of Yahweh. That is unfortunate. I'll close with this quote, by Lesslie Newbigin:

"The charge of blasphemy, if it is ever made, is treated as a quaint anachronism; but the charge of treason, of placing another loyalty above the nation state, is treated as the unforgivable crime."

Call me a criminal, but my loyalties are placed firmly in God and held loosely to any creation of this world.