Letter from America

On Sunday June 3, eight of the Presidential hopefuls for the Democratic Party lined up for a publicly televised debate on CNN out of Manchester, New Hampshire.

On Monday June 4, the three ‘first tier’ candidates (Clinton, Obama, Edwards) lined up for a publicly televised event broadcast by CNN out of George Washington University in Washington DC. This time they talked about their faith.

Hilary and religion

According to Hilary Clinton, the trauma of her husband’s affair with Monica Lewinsky was only surmounted because of her religious convictions. ‘I am not sure I would have gotten through it without my faith’, she said. Edwards said that he rediscovered his faith after the tragic death of his son in a car accident in 1996. ‘When Elizabeth and I lost our son, we were non-functional for a period of time, it was the Lord that got me through that.’ And Obama, originally from a Moslem background but now associated with the United Church of Christ, played up the social ramifications of his faith: ‘I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper…we are connected as people.’

These are Democrats

From an English point of view, hearing American politicians wearing their heart on their sleeve about their faith may come as no surprise, but the point is that these are Democratic politicians. Ever since the exit polls of 2004 reported that ‘moral issues’ played a large part in George W. Bush’s re-election triumph, Democratic strategists have been encouraging their candidates to find ways to appeal to that large swathe of the American population who look for religious integrity. The more they can talk about ‘the Lord’ or make mention of their ‘faith’ or indicate that their policies are based on well-known biblical principles like being your ‘brother’s keeper’, the more likely they are to be able to plant the seed that if you vote for them you’re voting for Jesus, as it were.

Pulpits and politics

I have a good deal (nay, great) sympathy with those who wish to squeeze out a separation of Evangelicalism from Republicanism. As I like to joke to our church on occasion up here in thoroughly Democratic New England, it’s hard enough to get a New Englander to believe in the biblical Jesus, but if we’ve got to get them to become a Republican too we might as well all go home. Yes; absolutely; let us have no pulpits used as politics. But then the sword cuts both ways. You can’t criticise (pace Jim Wallis) Republican Christians for courting Republican politicians and then go about courting Democratic politicians instead can you? Ever heard of a certain famous text, ‘Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s’?

In this day of deep fearful connection between power, terror and God, it is imperative (I can think of no more forceful word) that the church insists on maintaining its mission to the soul. I do not mean that Christians should not be involved in politics. Of course they should, just as Christians should be involved in teaching, or driving taxis or what have you. Nor do I mean that the places of power in our nations do not have an especial need for Christians of moral standing and strength of character, wisdom and giftedness.

Let church be church

But as a body, the church, we must avoid the temptation of using the weapons of the world. It will be a hollow victory. We may win power but we will lose people. And all political careers, as one British politician sagely remarked, end in failure — but we have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, and let that not be tarnished by worldly political manoeuvring.

So, young man, be a politician. Senior eminent figure, go and make the most of your power for God. But Church be Church Ð or beware lest the gospel be robbed of its power.

Vote for Jesus

Hilary and religion

These are Democrats

Pulpits and politics

Let church be church

Josh Moody, Connecticut

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