Decoding Politics

Submitted by Richard Burden on August 22, 2008 - 3:40pm.

"Politics: (n.) A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles."—Ambrose Bierce.

The Pew Forum has new research that says "Americans are having a change of heart about mixing religion and politics." 

 

This summer, I had a conversation with a clergy person who said that when people complained that there was too much politics in the sermon that it was code for "I disagree with what you said." And rather than being the start to a conversation, claiming a sermon is too political is a way of shutting down discussion. I guess because we don't discuss politics in polite company?

Given this, perhaps we should read this new research as either 1) an indication that certain religious messages are gaining purchase in the political realm, thus causing discontent among a particular groups of Christians (which is certainly what part of the research reveals); or 2) that this is an opportunity to invite all people (including, and perhaps especially, those who disagree with us) into an expanding, and expansive, conversation about our role in our collective political life.

Perhaps, it's both?

The survey left me pondering a couple of questions:

Is "politics" a codeword in the church that means, "I disagree with you, but I'm not going to engage you"?

The survey asked should the church keep out of politics (52% said "yes"), but I'd like to ask those same people (after we clarify what exactly "being involved in politics" really means) what the church should be involved in? 

 

 

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