Politics, the church, and rotten fruit
When loyalty to a political figure supersedes the call to love and compassion
From time to time, the Racket News runs guest op-eds. Today’s submission is from a friend of the page who, in the interests of full disclosure is also my cousin. We hope you enjoy her take on the intersection of Christianity and politics. Have a happy Sunday! - DWT
In light of recent statistics implying that Christians do not vote, we often hear fellow Christians encouraging people to vote for one particular party, and while I appreciate the sentiment behind encouraging civic engagement, it is crucial to recognize that some Christians may choose not to vote precisely to avoid endorsing candidates who stand in stark opposition to their beliefs. I do vote and often times it is for the Democratic in the race.
Historically, there was a time when many Christians believed in maintaining a separation from the “world,” and it was considered poor form to incessantly voice political opinions. This perspective was rooted in a desire to embody the teachings of Christ rather than to align with worldly powers. However, since the advent of the "Southern Strategy" and the subsequent alignment of evangelicals with conservative politics in the 1970s and 80s, we have witnessed a troubling shift. The resulting alliance has, unfortunately, borne rotten fruit.
Today, many outside the church observe a troubling phenomenon: a near-worship of political figures who perpetuate lies and sow division. The proliferation of falsehoods, particularly on social media, serves only to deepen the divide and tarnish the reputation of the church. It is disheartening to see evangelicals at times appearing complacent in the face of such deception and hatred.
For those who hold a belief in eschatological teachings, it is imperative to recognize the danger of turning away from the teachings of Jesus in favor of the rhetoric of a single individual. When loyalty to a political figure supersedes the call to love and compassion, we must critically examine the influences that shape our beliefs and actions.
Voting for a candidate solely based on shared animosities towards particular groups is not a valid nor principled reason to support them. Instead, I urge my fellow Christians to reflect on their values and the broader implications of their political choices. May we strive to uphold the teachings of Christ, fostering love and understanding rather than division and hatred.
Melanie Brown is a Christ-believer from Glendale, Arizona.
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Thank you! Our family is quite divided over politics. We were raised to love Christ and believe 100% in the Bible. For 10 years now there have been fights that result in screaming matches, tears and hurt feelings. I chose to walk away from that and ended up not speaking to some of my siblings for years. The death of our mother last year caused me to realize that it is so important to maintain a relationship with my siblings and their spouses. I began by reaching out with “how are you” texts and phone calls. I avoid political discussions at all costs. My heart aches for the ones who have chosen a different path. I will cast my votes in November and continue to pray daily that God, the only one who can, will open the eyes and ears of those who just choose to worship a man.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, not just Christian but born again which means having the holy Spirit guide me towards holiness not perfection however..The church has lost its purpose on this planet. We were commanded to be the salt & light, to be standing boldly against tyranny, evil abuse, not to be sitting in a pew week after week singing kumbaya. Voting for people who have power & authrity over a nation & who are following "the enemy" , well I feel is where we are right now. If the churches would Boldly expose evil ie trans,homosexual marriage, abortion even up to birth I would see their relevance & they would be a united force to be reconned with. Thank you for letting me share my opinion.