Long Lasting Impact of Christianity on Politics

Many try to exclude faith and religion from politics. But where would our culture be without men and women of faith like William Wilberforce? Wilberforce was an evangelical who helped bring an end to the British slave trade. There is a movie out called Amazing Grace about Wilberforce's life. I haven't seen it yet but it might be worth catching. Here is some more information about Wilberforce.

Would someone else have stood up if Wilberforce had not? Perhaps. But the truth is that Wilberforce did. His faith required it. What about today? Are there local, state and national leaders who will allow their faith to impact their decision making? What about the current slate of presidential candidates? Do they apply their faith to how they serve in office? Personally, I find a candidate's faith important to whether I support them or not. I know many disagree with me. But there must be something inside a person that impacts how they will make decisions. If it is not their religious faith, then what is it?

On a different note, I saw an article today that there is a remote possibility that Joe Lieberman might switch to the republican party. And it would be caused by the senate democrats' push for a vote on the war in Iraq. Wouldn't that create entertaining chaos in the senate?

Jerome

Should Religion and Politics Mix?

It's an age-old question. Some argue that religion and one's relationship with God should be a personal matter and not have a bearing on politics. They are argue that religion should stay out of politics. Similarly, others hang their hat the "constitution" and argue that there should be a "separation of church and state". The problem with that argument is that this provision is nowhere to be found in the constitution.

Jim Wallis of Time writes today that the era of the religious right is over. I doubt that is true. If it is, then why are so many candidates courting the support of religious leaders? Another article takes the position that voters are more likely to find Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in church than Rudy Guiliani or John McCain. The point of the story is that the religious gap between the republican party and the democratic party is narrowing. Is it?

Others are tauting Rudy Guiliani as having the ability to sway conservative voters without bowing to the religious leaders. Guiliani has said that he hates abortion but supports a woman's right to choose. He is in favor of civil unions and gun control and has been married three times. Richard Land of the Southern Baptists' Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission said that Guiliani is "unacceptable" to social conservatives. But Guiliani says that he will appoint conservative judges like Alito and Roberts -- judges that are strict constructionists -- and that is music to conservatives' ears.

It's an interesting discussion: The mix of politics and religion. One's religion has always been part of that person's decision making. And that makes the separation of politics and religion virtually impossible. A person's fundamental belief -- whether shaped by religion and faith or something else -- will influence their decision making if they hold public office. There is no way around it. So should religion and politics mix? I think it is unavoidable.

Jerome

Huckabee's In!!

AP is reporting that Mike Huckabee will file papers to form an exploratory committee. That is good news for conservatives. It will keep social and culture issues important to conservative Christians in the conversation among republican candidates.

Jerome