God and Political Parties
The Democrat convention in 2012 had a bit of an awkward moment involving God, if you recall. Essentially, the 2012 platform left God out. References to Him were eliminated, which upset a lot of folks both inside and outside the party. Ultimately, they reinserted His name into the platform and had the delegates vote on the amendments. Let's just say in a close vote God was permitted back into the DNC. However, those voting against the amendments weren't happy and let some Bronx cheers fly. Which led to this meme:
Admittedly, this isn't entirely accurate, but it's not very far off from what happened. However, Juicy Ecumenism posted Monday's opening prayer from the DNC convention that also garnered some boos. Watch it yourself in the link above. Were the boos just because it was a prayer? Was it the angry Bernie Sanders supporters upset about the prayer focusing on the greatness of Her Majesty Hillary Clinton? I'm not sure, but it brings me to a point I was considering the other day, and it's this:
Generally speaking, the modern...
Democrat Party is anti-God.
Republican Party is ignorant of God.
Libertarian Party is indifferent towards God.
Historically, the Democrat Party has been the party of slavery, segregation, eugenics, and abortion. If any American political party has repeatedly treated people as if they were subhuman, it's the Democrat Party. Today, the party has more or less distanced itself from Christianity. Without going into great detail, I think you can look at the progressive movement from the beginning of the 20th century on, the sexual liberation of the 1960s, and the rise and influence of the evangelical voting block (aka "The Religious Right") in the 1980s as three notable causes. It's the Democrat Party, and pretty much the Democrat Party alone, that supports punishing Christian businesses for exercising their faith within their business dealings. It's also the Democrats that made the switch from "freedom of religion" to "freedom of worship." The church denominations you still see affiliated with the liberalism of the Democrat Party are dying quickly. After all, if you're giving up the hard stuff in Holy Scripture (divorce, homosexuality, etc.), you start looking a lot like the rest of the world and at one point or another you basically just give up God and leave the church altogether. When it comes down to it, it's becoming harder and harder to see the Democrat Party as anything other than anti-God.
Meanwhile, there is the Republican Party. Thanks to the three causes listed above (progressivism, sexual liberation, and evangelicalism) Christians made their way to the Republican Party in droves. The unfortunate result was that the more conservative congregations and church-goers aligned themselves as closely with the Republican Party as they did with God. Show me someone sporting an American flag cross tattoo, and I'll show you someone who doesn't understand the Gospel. Still, the Republican Party seemed to be the most logical landing place for evangelical Christians. Republicans supported traditional marriage, were against abortion, and recognized the historical importance of Christianity in the founding of the country. Early in 21st century, though, Christians found themselves defending expansive military operations in order to defend the Republican Party. Today we add in the dangerous rhetoric of nationalism that has risen over the last few years and has manifested itself in a Donald Trump nomination. Those are just two reasons the Republican Party has become ignorant of God.
And then there is the Libertarian Party. Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party was a reaction to a country whose Republican president continued the Vietnam War and conscription, while ending the gold standard. When the country went from progressive Democrat Lyndon Johnson to progressive Republican Richard Nixon, it was clear that big government was here to stay, and Libertarians wanted to do something about it. For a long time, Libertarianism seemed to be counter to the Christian worldview. After all, Libertarians were early advocates for same sex marriage and early on largely identified with the pro-choice side of the abortion debate. However, as we've seen Democrats and Republicans either turn against God or use His followers for their own purposes, Libertarians have opened their arms. There have been no more staunch defenders of religious liberty in the past several years than Libertarians. Many have even come around to a pro-life stance on abortion, recognizing that life begins at conception, and all life should have the right exist. Look no further than former Libertarian presidential candidate, and agnostic, Austin Petersen. Many Christians are coming around to the idea that in today's current landscape, those who will defend the Christian way of life are the individuals who might also most disagree with them. With their core belief that the individual is sovereign and should be left to himself as long as he does not interfere with another's life, liberty, or property, the Libertarian Party is largely indifferent towards God.
I could continue on and discuss the Green Party and the Socialist Party, as well as the benefits for a Christian to be an independent voter. However, looking at the three most notable political parties in the United States, I have to give the edge to the Libertarian Party. My Biblical analogy is this: The Democrats are the Pharisees. They don't want what you're selling and they will shut you down because you are a danger to their power. The Republicans are the false teachers Jesus warned about. They are using your beliefs for their own gain. Finally, the Libertarians are the Athenians Paul debated in Acts 17. Some mocked him while others wanted to know more, but all gave him the opportunity to speak. What more should a Christian ask of its government?
I guess my final point should be that no political party should ever align ahead of your Christian faith. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Gary Johnson as politicians should take a backseat to your brothers and sisters in Christ. You should have more in common with the person you share a pew with than the person who votes like you.
Admittedly, this isn't entirely accurate, but it's not very far off from what happened. However, Juicy Ecumenism posted Monday's opening prayer from the DNC convention that also garnered some boos. Watch it yourself in the link above. Were the boos just because it was a prayer? Was it the angry Bernie Sanders supporters upset about the prayer focusing on the greatness of Her Majesty Hillary Clinton? I'm not sure, but it brings me to a point I was considering the other day, and it's this:
Generally speaking, the modern...
Democrat Party is anti-God.
Republican Party is ignorant of God.
Libertarian Party is indifferent towards God.
Historically, the Democrat Party has been the party of slavery, segregation, eugenics, and abortion. If any American political party has repeatedly treated people as if they were subhuman, it's the Democrat Party. Today, the party has more or less distanced itself from Christianity. Without going into great detail, I think you can look at the progressive movement from the beginning of the 20th century on, the sexual liberation of the 1960s, and the rise and influence of the evangelical voting block (aka "The Religious Right") in the 1980s as three notable causes. It's the Democrat Party, and pretty much the Democrat Party alone, that supports punishing Christian businesses for exercising their faith within their business dealings. It's also the Democrats that made the switch from "freedom of religion" to "freedom of worship." The church denominations you still see affiliated with the liberalism of the Democrat Party are dying quickly. After all, if you're giving up the hard stuff in Holy Scripture (divorce, homosexuality, etc.), you start looking a lot like the rest of the world and at one point or another you basically just give up God and leave the church altogether. When it comes down to it, it's becoming harder and harder to see the Democrat Party as anything other than anti-God.
Meanwhile, there is the Republican Party. Thanks to the three causes listed above (progressivism, sexual liberation, and evangelicalism) Christians made their way to the Republican Party in droves. The unfortunate result was that the more conservative congregations and church-goers aligned themselves as closely with the Republican Party as they did with God. Show me someone sporting an American flag cross tattoo, and I'll show you someone who doesn't understand the Gospel. Still, the Republican Party seemed to be the most logical landing place for evangelical Christians. Republicans supported traditional marriage, were against abortion, and recognized the historical importance of Christianity in the founding of the country. Early in 21st century, though, Christians found themselves defending expansive military operations in order to defend the Republican Party. Today we add in the dangerous rhetoric of nationalism that has risen over the last few years and has manifested itself in a Donald Trump nomination. Those are just two reasons the Republican Party has become ignorant of God.
And then there is the Libertarian Party. Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party was a reaction to a country whose Republican president continued the Vietnam War and conscription, while ending the gold standard. When the country went from progressive Democrat Lyndon Johnson to progressive Republican Richard Nixon, it was clear that big government was here to stay, and Libertarians wanted to do something about it. For a long time, Libertarianism seemed to be counter to the Christian worldview. After all, Libertarians were early advocates for same sex marriage and early on largely identified with the pro-choice side of the abortion debate. However, as we've seen Democrats and Republicans either turn against God or use His followers for their own purposes, Libertarians have opened their arms. There have been no more staunch defenders of religious liberty in the past several years than Libertarians. Many have even come around to a pro-life stance on abortion, recognizing that life begins at conception, and all life should have the right exist. Look no further than former Libertarian presidential candidate, and agnostic, Austin Petersen. Many Christians are coming around to the idea that in today's current landscape, those who will defend the Christian way of life are the individuals who might also most disagree with them. With their core belief that the individual is sovereign and should be left to himself as long as he does not interfere with another's life, liberty, or property, the Libertarian Party is largely indifferent towards God.
I could continue on and discuss the Green Party and the Socialist Party, as well as the benefits for a Christian to be an independent voter. However, looking at the three most notable political parties in the United States, I have to give the edge to the Libertarian Party. My Biblical analogy is this: The Democrats are the Pharisees. They don't want what you're selling and they will shut you down because you are a danger to their power. The Republicans are the false teachers Jesus warned about. They are using your beliefs for their own gain. Finally, the Libertarians are the Athenians Paul debated in Acts 17. Some mocked him while others wanted to know more, but all gave him the opportunity to speak. What more should a Christian ask of its government?
I guess my final point should be that no political party should ever align ahead of your Christian faith. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Gary Johnson as politicians should take a backseat to your brothers and sisters in Christ. You should have more in common with the person you share a pew with than the person who votes like you.
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