Misconceptions Clarified VI; "Can Religion and Politics Coexist?"

Welcome to Misconceptions Clarified episode VI, where this article will be focused on answering the question, "Can Religion and Politics Coexist?"

Now, with the recent political situation trending between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and with the current religious climate of pluralism in the United States of America, it is almost a sin to discuss religion and politics together in the same conversation. There is this very familiar phrase that often gets quoted at places of businesses or any other establishment like the church that religion and politics should not be mentioned under the same breath. Everyone pretty much knows the phrase, "Don't mix politics with religion," unless you are ready to do battle. That's how critical discussions involving religion and politics can reach because of certain beliefs, and when those beliefs get challenged by those with opposing views, tensions can rise really quick, which is the reason why many try to avoid such conversations. However, should religion and politics be kept separated just because people have different opinions? Or, can religion and politics coexist together?

You see, there is this huge misconception that religion and politics should be kept away from each other like a cat and mouse. Unfortunately, trying to keep a person's faith (which compromises one-third of the human make-up) away from the activities associated with the governance of a country is like trying to keep a male dog away from a female dog in heat in the same room. It's just not going to happen! Here's why... First, as mentioned previously, faith/spirituality is part of the human make-up. Second, politics also known as the activities associated with the governance of a country directly affects humanity because there are laws that govern every country in the world on matters pertaining to religion. For instance, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution "prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble, or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances."

Hence, the constitution itself (a political document) automatically clarifies the misconception that politics and religion can coexist because the very core document that governs the United States of America contains a clause respecting the free exercise of religion. Nevertheless, some might oppose this argument by citing the doctrine of separation of church and state to say that religion and politics cannot coexist. However, many who use this argument take the whole concept of separation of church and state out of context. When Thomas Jefferson wrote his letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802 regarding the separation of church and state, it was to ensure that those who practiced their religious beliefs would not be persecuted for their faith. His letter had nothing to do with a literal interpretation that politics and religion should be completely separated from our government, from our schools, and from our secular institutions. Yet, this faulty interpretation has caused many institutions across the United States from even discussing religion, especially anything pertaining to Christianity, which is the reason why prayer has been eliminated out of the public schools. This misinterpretation of Thomas Jefferson's letter written to a "church" was used as ammunition to exclude any discussion of religion, which goes completely against the vision of the American forefathers. And believe it or not, America was established by Christians and the language incorporated in the constitution was constructed on Christian principles. Therefore, this idea that religion and politics cannot coexist is just a lie from Satan, who by the way is the father of lies according to John 8:44.

On the flip side of things, what does the Bible have to say about the coexistence of religion and politics??? Well, as everyone probably already knows, the bible itself (a book of faith) is composed of many historical accounts that contain interactions between God and his people. However, little do people know that faith and politics are embedded throughout the pages of the Bible. For instance, Joseph became second in command to the Pharaoh in the Book of Genesis chapter forty-one. And as mentioned previously, politics involve the activities associated with the governance of a country. Hence, with Joseph being second in command, the position came with an enormous amount of responsibility that obviously involved politics, which is a great example of how religion and politics coexisted in the life of Joseph. Another figure in the Bible that contains a combination of religion and politics at work is Moses, who had the responsibility of governing a whole nation out of Egypt to the brink of the Promised Land. There are four books in the Bible (Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and Numbers) that are dedicated alone to how Moses led Israel politically and spiritually. His responsibility was so great that Jethro his father-in-law had to give him some tips on how to better govern Israel in Exodus 18. In addition to that, the Bible also contains fifteen judges, and reluctantly Samuel (another great example) is someone who served in both capacities as a judge and priest. And if this isn't enough evidence that religion and politics can coexist, the Bible also contains the history of the kings of Israel in which many of them were very religious. King David in particular was a king and a man after God's own heart according to 1 Samuel 13:14.

Furthermore, majority of the American Forefathers such as John Adams, Patrick Henry, James Madison, George Washington and many others were Christians who served in major political functions. As a matter fact, George Washington said in his first general order to his own troops: "Every officer and man...to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country." In 1777, the Continental Congress approved $300,000 dollars to be spent on the purchase of Bibles and were to be distributed across the 13 colonies. Additionally, in 1782 the United States Congress approved the Holy Bible to be used in all schools. So, this idea that politics and religion cannot coexist or that separation of church and state had to be completely removed from each other was never the intent of the forefathers of this great nation. Only the Lord knows how the American patriarchs would react to the liberal climate of the twenty-first century...

In conclusion, not only is there evidence from the constitution along with the historical evidence of the American forefathers who loyally tangled their faith along with their politics together, there is also plenty of evidence in the Bible, which clarifies the misconception that religion and politics has coexisted historically and can coexist today. Unfortunately, the problem many people have when discussing the issues pertaining to religion and politics stems from a lack of understanding that people have different political and religious beliefs. And until we understand that there exists a difference of opinions, there will always be dissension that will arise anytime faith and politics are grouped together in the same conversation.

Lastly, Christians in all circumstances need to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves when it comes to this kind of dialogue. The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:15, that we are to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within us, but we are to do it with gentleness and respect. This is the key for Christians anytime they are engaged in these kind of conversations involving religion and politics; to be gentle and to be respectful to everybody whose views may be different. There are ways to voice religious or political views with those who have opposing views, by being gentle, by being respectful, by being kind, by listening, and by asking the right questions. Christians need to cast down this misconception (gently and respectfully) that religion and politics cannot coexist, and start getting more involved with the activities governing this great nation. Unfortunately, it's because Christians believed this misconception that religion and politics cannot coexist, it's because Christians have disengaged from assuming political roles in our government, and it's because the church has taken a step back from the political scene that enabled this country to go from a known "Christian nation" to a "nation of citizens." So let’s pick up the mantle, let's run the race marked out for us with perseverance, and let's fight the good fight for the faith by getting more involved in the realm of religion and politics in order to restore the foundation God established in the beginning. 

#Misconceptions #Clarified #Religion #Politics #Can #Coexist

Want more information please check out David Barton's DVD series American Heritage or click on this link: http://faithofourfathers.net