Why Christianity and Politics do not Mix
Since it is Sunday and since I haven't yet found a nice church (that I like) where I currently live, let's talk about Christianity in politics. Brace yourself, it's gonna be a rough ride.
I am beginning to think that Christianity is, for all practical intent and purpose, a failed religion. At the very least, it is severely broken.
Now, being a Christian I believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and I fully believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I believe the Lord does some things very deliberately and intentionally- including the things He doesn't do. So if Christianity is a failed religion, then it isn't God that screwed it all up- us mortals did.
The #1 reason I think Christianity is a failed religion is because of the difference between people who actually act like Christians and those who identify as Christians. From what I observe, probably half of the people who claim to be Christians aren't, for the same reason that a 1980 Ford Mustang was a Mustang in name only: the performance did not live up to the hype. Now, technically a Christian is anyone who believes Jesus Christ is mankind's Lord and Savior from sin and only path to reconciliation with God. But I am of the camp that believes that Christians who do not at least try to improve their behavior and become more sanctified toward everyone never really had a change of spirit. And without that change in spirit, they never really became Christian.
I know what some will say: only God can make that judgment. That is true, of course, but there's two caveats to that statement: one, that does not excuse bad behavior, and two, only God can make that judgment. In other words, that works both ways: I'm sure there are plenty of Christians who think they're saved, but they are not. And anyway, that argument will not make anyone exempt from having to give an account of our deeds to God someday. Do you think He is going to buy that as an excuse for bad behavior?
So, what does this have to do with politics? Simple: mixing Christianity with politics is making us all look like royal jackasses. Religion and laws can mix (there is no denying that part of U.S. Law is intractably based on Christian beliefs and even Mosaic law), but religion and politics never should. You see, when you try to mix the two, all you get is hypocrisy that ultimately hurts Christendom as a whole, you get hatemongering, and fearmongering, just to garner votes. As a Christian, you lose all sense of empathy, compassion, or concern for others (not just the people who are like you, but everyone).
You disagree? Let's look at some examples, then:
2 Thessalonians 3:10 does not supercede 1 John 3:17. If you feel you have to choose one over the other to fixate on, you're doing Christianity wrong. Talk about outright, blatant conflicts of interest, this one is my favorite: only a hypocrite of the highest caliber can shout 2 Thessalonians 3:10 to the heavens and ignore 1 Timothy 6:10.
While we're on the subject of 1 Timothy 6:10- consider that verse and Psalms 105:24-30 against the (in)famous Genesis 1:28. How can a true Christian believe that God would create the whole earth just so mankind can destroy it for his own profit? Genesis 1:28 is terribly mistranslated, of course, but that is another rant for another day...
1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy does not supercede Galatians 5:14 and Matthew 22:39. If you act like they are mutually exclusive, you are a terrible Christian.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and Psalm 127:3 does not invalidate John 8:7-11, nor do verses like 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 invalidate Romans 14:12-13. If your only answer to promoting life is to ruin programs that see to all aspects of a woman's welfare, you're at best narrow-minded. Created for man or not, women are not throwaway people. And while we're on the subject, look back at 1 John 3:17. I do not believe a true Christian can be against abortion and against healthcare reform. Bringing a child into the world then leaving that child to a lifetime of poor health and poverty is not just unChristian, it is downright cruel.
Finally, let's look at one last contradiction I see across Conservative Christian voters: how can you be afraid of all of the above, yet ignore 1 John 4:18, Philippians 4:6, and especially Mark 13:31. God has said that His church shall endure beyond the end of days, so...why are Christians so afraid of GLBT rights, of abortion, of even one undeserving person receiving welfare? What does that say about your faith if you let these fears turn you into a bitter, angry, hateful person?
When people try to mix Christianity with politics, the worst casualty is the one we as Christians can afford to lose the least: Matthew 5:13-16. People don't respond to hate. You cannot as a Christian be salt and light, as we are commanded to be, if all you have in your heart is fear and hatred. Sorry, but if that is the case, then you fail at this whole Christianity thing.