Obviously, it is not only acceptable, but highly desirable that Christians serve as elected
officials, however, the practice of the so called "Christian right" is an affront to God in
so far as the methods they use to interfere with our national political agenda. Mind you,
there is nothing wrong with a Christian being aware of the issues, and even establishing
grassroots organizations to discuss the prevailing controversies of the day and campaign
against a bad candidate. But to address the nation, and our law makers, using God as their
entre into the debate is wrong.
Christ made it clear during His incarnation that political issues were not His priority. The
Jews at that time were under the heavy handed rule of Rome, and Palestine was fermenting a
revolution. It is an almost unknown fact that the purpose for the alms, laying palm branches
in Christ's path as He rode into Jerusalem, were a plea on the part of the people for Him to
intercede on their behalf and run the Romans out of Israel.
He made several direct statements to this effect; "render unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser's,
and unto God what is God's". When Peter attacked the Centurion with the sword Christ scolded
him, before he restored the Roman's ear miraculously, saying to "live by the sword is to die
by the sword". This is a tacit recognition of the Romans as the legitimate establishment in
Israel, in this case law enforcement.
Meddling in politics has several negative side effects. One is the reaction of non-Christians,
and even some Christians, to their tactics in addressing the issues. There is something inherently
incompatible with our faith and the tenets of the political process. God created an establishment
system for the maintenance of freedom, a blessing to all people, believers and unbelievers alike.
This is the primary reason for the separation of church and state.
Except in one instance, the Theocracy in Israel prior to the reign of King Saul, it has never
been God's intent to integrate politics and the function of Christianity, as such. History
bears out the wisdom of this policy. Perhaps the most lucid example of the abuses which come
of it was Spain in the rule of Ferdinand and his sister, Isabella. They ruled Spain with
a religious fervor that resulted in the suffering and death of untold thousands of unbelievers.
The conquistadors invaded Mexico under their auspices and defeated The native peoples of that
land, the Incas, Mayas and Aztecs, and attempted to convert them to Catholicism. In the mean time,
they enslaved thousands in their state run gold mining operations.
In Spain, itself, Henri Torquemada orchestrated the most horrendous campaign of evil ever to besmirch
the annuls of Christian history. His Inquisition arrested and burned thousands of innocent people at
the stake in order to purify their souls, or so he believed.
The entire period of the Dark Ages were also a direct result of the interference of Christian influence
in matters of state, and there are dozens of other well known such infamous occurences in history.
As Christians our influence is asserted in the working of our faith in our daily lives, and certainly,
we choose our leaders with our values in view, but we do not authorize them to institute "Christian
laws" that would violate the freedom of unbelievers to reject Jesus Christ as their Savior. That is
their right.
The dominance of the Christian right in many areas of politics is disturbingly reminiscent of other
crusader causes that encourage civil disobedience and even murder, such as the anti-abortion fanatics
who believe God sanctions their criminal acts. These individuals are murders and perpetrators of
crimes against freedom and should be punished to the full extent of the law.