Religion and Politics

Throughout my youth I was always told that there were two things you don't talk about; religion and politics. No doubt, this is because for most of us the discussion of these two topics reveals what makes each of us tick. We live in a society today that because of political correctness, tolerance and the desire to not offend anybody, we are encouraged to not make waves if our beliefs differ from others. Is it just me, or are the people and organizations that tell Christians not to speak about their faith or politics the ones who have no problem forcing their faith and politics on everybody else? Case in point is the current uproar over Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. She hasn't been the nominee a week and already she has been assailed by the media and her p0litical opponents as unqualified, a pawn, biting off more than she can chew, a hypocrite and many other things. Two specific areas that surprised me is when it pertains to her newborn child, Trig, who has Down Syndrome, and her teenage daughter, Bristol, who is pregnant. Palin's opponents have questioned her decision to run for Vice President because they feel she may not have the time or the means necessary to care for her son's special needs. They also question her decision to run because it has exposed her daughter to public scrutiny she would otherwise not have had to endure.

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1: 28-32

One of the best lines I have heard to describe the attitude of Palin's attackers is "being a liberal means never having to say you are sorry." Because Sarah Palin is a confessed Christian, her opponents think that they can damage her, and her faith, by trying to make her out to be a hypocrite. Christians, across the board, claim to answer to a God who is higher than ourselves. And part of that belief is that there are standards of right and wrong to uphold. We don't believe in things like abortion or premarital sex, but recognize the reality of them. Therefore, liberals and the enemies of Christianity, think that by exposing the problems in Palin's life that they can say she is a hypocrite not worthy of her own faith. However, Christians don't claim to be perfect in our behavior, in fact, we know that we are quite the opposite. Therefore, when we fail to live up to the standards we promote, we don't hide in fear that we might be "exposed," we see them as opportunities to show the love God has shown towards us, in Christ, to those in our lives. A baby with Down Syndrome and a pregnant teenager are two excellent opportunities to show God's love, grace and forgiveness. What is unbelievable is that those on the Left have the nerve to even point a finger of accusation at anybody. Are not they the ones who tear down every standard of behavior in order to promote things like "safe sex," which leads to teenage pregnancy and abortion? It is their lack of standards that would prevent the Trig's of the world from even having a chance at life because he has "special needs." You would think they would celebrate Bristol's pregnancy as a triumph of their continued promotion of sexual promiscuity without consequences. Their never-ending onslaught on the traditions of this country, and the Christian values which are at there foundations, is what has led to the decline in morality in this country. They are a perfect example of what the Apostle Paul described in Romans 1 as, amongst other things, depraved, wicked, evil, heartless and ruthless.

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2: 3-8

Sarah Palin's opponents, by their actions, hold the answer to why people say not to talk about religion or politics. They know that, when it comes to the Christian faith, their evil, godless and sinful ways will be exposed by the light the Lord shines on the world through His children. For most of my adult life it has seemed that as long as you didn't claim yourself to be a Christian you can believe what you want and act any way you desire without much resistance. However, once I became a Christian it wasn't long before people started labeling me as arrogant or that I believed I was better than they were. I did nothing that would deserve such a reaction. Besides, I was so young in my faith, I was probably still acting more like the world than a born again believer. That didn't seem to matter. What I realized is that the "offense of the cross," as scripture proclaims, almost forces people to display their unbelief and animosity towards Christ and believers. The bottom line is that what we believe, if it is real in our lives, will eventually come out in our behavior. Sarah Palin, by unashamedly living her faith in front of the world, has led to unbelievers exposing their darkness and sin through their attacks on her and her family. They are doing all they can, up to and including lying about her, in order to tear her down. However, as of now, the more they go after her the more reverant she appears in the eyes of the world. She is doing what is good. Loving her children and husband. Living in a way that doesn't allow the Word of God to be maligned. And those that are opposed to her should be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about her.

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 1 Peter 4: 12-18

I don't know Sarah Palin personally. And I have only known of her for less than one week. But, I know that, in the face of suffering that most of us would not want to share in, she is showing tremendous strength and character. Perhaps, she is aware of passages like the one from 1 Peter that remind Christians that our suffering is to be expected and is a glorious thing. Do we look forward to it? No. When it happens do we ask for more? No. But, we know that the name we bear, Jesus Christ, means that we will participate in the sufferings He was subjected to and it only reminds us of how thankful we are that He did. As a fellow Christian, I support Palin, not simply because we may share social and political beliefs, but because we share faith in the same God and salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that a true believer cannot keep silent about their faith because it is our faith that shapes our lives and our politics. We know that the message we have to share with the world is the only message worth sharing. And in the midst of doing so we will face trials and tribulation that make our journey hard. But, we know the reward that awaits us in eternity. And although the world may attack us for our message we know that some of them will be thankful that we did. Because by enduring the suffering we just might save some of them from the destination that awaits the ungodly and the sinner.