Religion and Politics

“There are two topics people should never talk about with one another: religion and politics.”  This is a problem for me, since I talk religion day and night and politics is a passion of mine.  But, where did this ‘advice’ come from and why does it exist in the first place?

Here is my theory: A person’s religious beliefs are very personal.  A person will believe what they will believe and, at least in my experience, are rarely open to suggestion.  The same is true for politics.  A person’s political stance on just about anything is for personal reasons.  Therefore it is difficult to change a person’s mind.  So, both religion and politics boil down to personal beliefs, one’s which are not changed easily.  Also, both can carry a great deal of emotional weight.  This can be proven in any conversation between a person who strongly believes one thing and a person who equally strongly believes in another.  If those two ‘things’ – whatever the thing is – disagrees or contradicts each other, passionate disagreement will exist. 

Therefore, people say don’t bother discussing either religion or politics.  A fight is inevitable.  Perhaps, but I still disagree.

Even though, as I outlined above, both religious beliefs and political stances more often than not boil down to very personal motivators, they are not personal issues.  A person’s religious life is rarely contained to just themselves.  A religious life, practiced to its fullest extent, will put a person in relationship with others.  Those very personal beliefs will effect how people engage with a neighbor, an animal, a relationship, the poor, and the wealthy.  And the exact same can be said of a person’s political beliefs.  Neither of these two “hot-button” issues are purely individualistic.  And because we live in a community, a community with other people who have their own strong opinions, then we must discuss religion and politics.

The reason I am writing all of this is because I have been asked to write an endorsement for a state senate candidate.  Not only am I writing her an endorsement, I am on her campaign cabinet with the auspicious title of field director.  She is totally awesome by the way, check her out: www.danaforme.com

When I was asked to write her an endorsement, I asked if she would like me to sign it with Rev. in front of my name.  Yes, the enthusiastic response I was given.  And a political endorsement written by someone with Rev. in front of their name draws together religion and politics in a very real way. 

But, it is my religious beliefs which inform my political stance, and it’s my political ideals which inform my religious under-pinning.  The two cannot be separated from one another.  My strong desire for justice and equally cannot be attributed to just my religion or my politics – they are both inter-mingled.  I can passionately argue for women’s rights using religious speech or political speech.  Because I live in a community, and engage with that community, my religion and my politics will both be very visible.  I will speak about both with humbleness but conviction.  And I will listen to others with equal humbleness and conviction.

I am honored to have been asked to write an endorsement for a state senate candidate who embodies the political ideals my religious beliefs call for.  And as a political Reverend I will approach my task, not afraid to draw together two ‘touchy’ subjects, but rather to engage with them in a way that encourages others to do so as well.