iVoteValues Archives

Christians in Politics: Too much or too little?

Posted by: Richard Land on May 28, 2008 Featured Article •

Over the past few weeks, a national polling firm for LifeWay Research and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission conducted a survey asking Americans to respond to this statement: “I am concerned that at times Christians are too involved in politics.”

The results were quite informative. The majority of Americans (52%) either “strongly disagree” (32%) or “somewhat disagree” (20%) with the statement. Even larger majorities of faith-affiliated Americans disagreed with the statement. When researchers asked Americans who attended religious services of any faith at least once a week, disagreement with the statement was even higher, with 65% indicating they were comfortable with Christians being involved in politics, and only 21% expressing varying discomfort with Christians’ political activity.

Those who self-identify themselves as “born-again,” “evangelical,” or “fundamentalist” expressed the highest level of disagreement (72%) with the assertion that “at times Christians are too involved in politics” with only 27% telling pollsters they agreed (“strongly” or “somewhat”) with the statement.

These results do not surprise me at all. They underscore and reinforce the feedback I receive on a consistent basis from grassroots Christians of all perspectives, particularly conservative Christians – Catholic and Protestant.

The survey’s findings are particularly dramatic given the fact that LifeWay Research and the ERLC worded the poll’s question in a way that would elicit the most negative response possible, by using the word “politics” as opposed to “social issues” or “public policy.” “Politics” has a negative connotation and is often perceived as partisan, rancorous, and something that many Christians feel is too “worldly.”

If we had posed the question, “I’m concerned that at times Christians are too involved in social issues or public policy,” I am quite confident the level of disagreement with the statement would have been even higher.

These polling results suggest that those pundits, analysts, and religious leaders that tell us that people of faith are disillusioned with politics and public policy need to get out more and talk with the people who actually go to churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples. If they did, they would find that the people who most often attended religious services disagree with their assessment by an almost two to one margin, 65 percent to 31 percent. On a more personal note, among Southern Baptist pastors who were asked the question of whether “at times, Christians are too involved in politics”, two thirds of them either “strongly disagreed” (41%) or “somewhat disagreed” (26%).

When people of faith enter the political process they should always understand that their ultimate allegiance is to the Almighty, not any ideology or party. People of faith have an obligation to be involved as “salt” and “light” in the world, and that includes “politics.” They should be voting their values, beliefs, and convictions, based on their understanding of the imperatives of their faith.

This column was originally published at Casting Stones, a blog hosted by Beliefnet.com.

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As the Wind Blows

Posted by: K.D. Hastings on May 19, 2008 Featured Article •

I work downtown but there is a flagpole on top of a building in midtown—a mile or so to the west—that I can see from my office window. I use the American flag on that pole as a rudimentary weather predictor in the spring and the fall.

When the flag is blowing to the south, I know it is more likely to be cooler outside. When the flag is flying toward the north, warm temps are on the way. If the flag is fully extended, flapping heartily, I know the change in temperature will be dramatic—or that stormy weather is at hand. When the flag ‘changes direction’ during the day, I know change is on the way. I have to admit my spirits are buoyed on a cool spring day when I see the flag turn northward. I know warmer weather is on the way as the breezes come out of the south.

My method of forecasting by flag, what a farmer calls a wind vane, is a more refined version of the wetting a finger and sticking it in the air to see which way the wind is blowing. I don’t have to put my hands in my mouth to determine the wind direction.

Politicians are notorious for checking to see which way the wind is blowing and testing the waters. And it’s not for meteorological purposes. They sample public opinion to ascertain the best way to package their policy presentations. In order to ruffle the fewest feathers, particularly in an election year, politicians prefer to know the mood of the voters before they go too far out on a limb. The same candidate in three different venues can present the same idea three different ways—to suit each crowd. It’s not automatically disingenuous, in fact it can be very wise campaign tactic.

The problem comes when a politician tells one group one thing and another group something markedly different. In an attempt to gain support (aka “votes”) he is tickling ears with a message that may omit critical details, but that appeal to those he is addressing at the moment.

We can appreciate the value of discernment when it comes to spiritual matters, but it is also invaluable in evaluating the policy positions of public figures. Whether in spiritual or civic matters, it is critical that we look below the surface to make a proper judgment on the issue at hand (John 7:24).

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A History of Prayer

Posted by: Kaylan Christopher on May 12, 2008 Featured Article •

I love history. In school, I always aced history and English. It’s no wonder I still love to read stories and articles on historical events—from yesterday, last year, and even 2,000 years ago. Everyone and everything has a story and history to tell.

Just the other day, I read how the National Day of Prayer first began, and how and why the tradition was continued throughout history. Days of prayer were declared by:

• President George Washington after the Whiskey Rebellion. • President John Adams when France threatened to make war with America. • President Madison during the War of 1812. • President Tyler when President Harrison died. • President Taylor during a cholera epidemic. • President Buchanan to avert civil strife. • President Lincoln during the Civil War. • President Andrew Johnson when President Lincoln was shot. • President Wilson during World War I.

Finally, in 1952, President Truman made the National Day of Prayer an annual event, saying: “In times of national crisis when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace…we stand in special need of Divine support.”

And President Ronald Reagan declared the National Day of Prayer to take place each year on the first Thursday in May.

Praise God that our country has not thrown this sacred national holiday out of the books like we have so many other holy things. In light of how important this event is, we must also realize the importance of daily prayer for our country, its leaders, our government, schools, media, and other influential figures.

You’ve probably heard this Scripture used over and over again, but it’s good to know that God’s Word is unchanging and His promises are true. The Bible says, “My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, HCSB).

Do you believe God will do what He says if we obey His commands? Do you make time each day to pray for our government, our troops serving overseas, our President, and other political leaders? Are you praying every day for the Presidential candidates campaigning across the U.S.?

As believers and Americans, it is our responsibility to be faithful in praying for our country—not just in times of crisis, but always.

Source of historical facts: American Minute with Bill Federer (www.amerisearch.net)