Christians in Politics: Too much or too little?
- May 7, 2008 - 3
Over the past few weeks, a national polling firm for LifeWay Research and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission conducted a survey asking Americans to respond to this statement: “I am concerned that at times Christians are too involved in politics.”
The results were quite informative. The majority of Americans (52%) either “strongly disagree” (32%) or “somewhat disagree” (20%) with the statement. Even larger majorities of faith-affiliated Americans disagreed with the statement. When researchers asked Americans who attended religious services of any faith at least once a week, disagreement with the statement was even higher, with 65% indicating they were comfortable with Christians being involved in politics, and only 21% expressing varying discomfort with Christians’ political activity.
This column originally published at Casting Stones, a blog hosted by Beliefnet.com.
Those who self-identify themselves as “born-again,” “evangelical,” or “fundamentalist” expressed the highest level of disagreement (72%) with the assertion that “at times Christians are too involved in politics” with only 27% telling pollsters they agreed (“strongly” or “somewhat”) with the statement.
These results do not surprise me at all. They underscore and reinforce the feedback I receive on a consistent basis from grassroots Christians of all perspectives, particularly conservative Christians – Catholic and Protestant.
The survey’s findings are particularly dramatic given the fact that LifeWay Research and the ERLC worded the poll’s question in a way that would elicit the most negative response possible, by using the word “politics” as opposed to “social issues” or “public policy.” “Politics” has a negative connotation and is often perceived as partisan, rancorous, and something that many Christians feel is too “worldly.”
If we had posed the question, “I’m concerned that at times Christians are too involved in social issues or public policy,” I am quite confident the level of disagreement with the statement would have been even higher.
These polling results suggest that those pundits, analysts, and religious leaders that tell us that people of faith are disillusioned with politics and public policy need to get out more and talk with the people who actually go to churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples. If they did, they would find that the people who most often attended religious services disagree with their assessment by an almost two to one margin, 65 percent to 31 percent. On a more personal note, among Southern Baptist pastors who were asked the question of whether “at times, Christians are too involved in politics”, two thirds of them either “strongly disagreed” (41%) or “somewhat disagreed” (26%).
When people of faith enter the political process they should always understand that their ultimate allegiance is to the Almighty, not any ideology or party. People of faith have an obligation to be involved as “salt” and “light” in the world, and that includes “politics.” They should be voting their values, beliefs, and convictions, based on their understanding of the imperatives of their faith.
This column originally published at Casting Stones, a blog hosted by Beliefnet.com.
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1 On May 14th, 2008, at 8:06am, Polly wrote:
Certainly Christians should be involved in politics. The more the better. The more Christians we have the better laws and better ethics. The sad thing is that politics seem to corrupt those involved, so Christians in politics need to remember they are God’s beloved children and don’t give in to pride and greed.
2 On May 14th, 2008, at 5:04pm, Vince wrote:
I despise your politics, Dr. Land. I go to a SBC affiliated Church, but really dislike the political lobbying. I am also a scientist who is involved with global climate change research. You are believing oil company endorsed pseudo-science to disregard the larger scientific community research. It is very similar to the situation when tobacco companies sponsored research against the strong relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Unfortunately, ignoring global change science will bring a cancer on the planet. I note that the cancer is appearing in the acidity of our oceans now. You are just a big business lackey with no concern for God’s creation.
Get SBC out of political lobbying! Especially lobbying for oil company interests.
3 On May 16th, 2008, at 4:30pm, Dana wrote:
Dr. Land, PLEASE quickly refute Vince’s nonsense! And keep fighting the good fight for truth!