Politics and Religion

Are politics and religion compatible?

There are some who believe that religious conviction and political involvement are incompatible. In fact, there are those who believe that deeply held religious convictions disqualify one from political office. Any reference to faith, it is argued, should be removed from political rhetoric on constitutional grounds. Yet, the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. Politics and religion can mix.

I would adamantly oppose a state religion, but I strongly support the notion that we need more men and women of faith in political leadership roles. And, we need more people of faith speaking out against sin and speaking up in favor of righteousness. Religious leaders should lead in this regard. I’m not talking about the nonsense that often came from the mouths of men like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, but rather a plea that men and women of honesty, integrity and truth be elected to political office. We should be more concerned with character and less concerned with political affiliation.

The prophets of the Old Testament did not hesitate to take on their political leaders. Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea immediately come to mind as mixers of politics and religion. Nathan, a prophet of God in Israel during the period of the United Kingdom did not hesitate to expose David’s sin with Bathsheba and call the king to repentance (2 Samuel 12:7-11). In the New Testament John the Baptist rebuked Herod and Herodias for their adulterous relationship (Matthew 14:1-12). Paul preached to governor Felix of “righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come” (Acts 24:25). The message of Scripture is that God’s laws are for all men, and those who openly flaunt those laws must be held accountable, even when they hold high office.

However, more is required of God’s servants than just an indictment of sin. The apostle Paul admonished: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

I’d like to see more religion in politics, but don’t get me wrong. By that I simply mean that I’d like to see more honesty and integrity out of our politicians. And, I like to see more of our citizens praying for those in government that we might “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Politics and religion need to be together.