I was just watching the news a little while ago. One of the items was a report on a speech that Donald Trump made yesterday at Liberty University. The reporter stated that this was an effort by Mr. Trump to court the Evangelical vote. The very label of Evangelical Vote dismays me. What this really means is that those who are identified as Evangelicals must be Republican. In like manner, churches that are more "Liberal" -- mainline denominations -- must be Democrats. Of course the African American Churches are somewhat identified with the Democratic Party. The Latino churches are up for grabs. This whole concept of the church being divided up according to political views really troubles me. Where is the Lord in all of this? Where is the leading of the Holy Spirit?
My confession: If I had to identify my religious beliefs (I don't like to do this, because I just see myself as a follower of Jesus), I am an American Baptist, aligned with Transformation Ministries, a Charismatic member of Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries who is also intrigued with the Spirituality of the Roman Catholic Church. Politically, I am usually relatively conservative -- but quite liberal on some issues. Since I began to vote in 1960, I have voted in every presidential election and my votes are almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Finally, neither the Republican Party nor the Democratic Party really fit in with my religious beliefs. Yes, I will choose a candidate from one of the political parties before the election -- it will probably be a Republican -- but I am unhappy with both parties.
As a "Conservative Christian" -- the title doesn't really equate with Conservative Politically -- I am unhappy with the assumption that I am a Conservative Republican. From my point of view, starting with movement of the Moral Majority under Jerry Falwell, the Evangelical Church Community has been viewed, even within the church, as Republican. I am appalled that the Church would be equated with an arm in any political party. The Church represents Jesus Christ. The church speaks for Jesus Christ in all issues -- and may speak out for Republicans -- or Democrats, or against Republicans -- or Democrats. The church is not to be a part of any political party.
Well, what about Christians themselves? Certainly any of us could, and should, be voters. We may belong to a party and we may even be very active in the party. Even running for office is a real option for the Christian, as for anyone else in our country. As Christians, we should always be led by our convictions as Christians. But the church should not be an arm of any political party.
But what about issues? Here is where the church must speak out. We must take a stand against immorality and injustice. We must also stand for the poor and oppressed. It is here that we find ourselves supporting the Republican side on some issues, but we will find ourselves supporting the Democratic side on others. At other times we are opposed to all of the political proposals.
The Church should have a real voice -- but it stands outside -- speaking into the process. I have stayed away from what I feel are the issues. I will probably discuss some of these in the future -- Abortion, Same Sex Marriage, Immigration, Racial Equality, Poverty as well as others. We must speak out, but we must also be careful, as the church, to not allow ourselves to be identified with a political party which we support on a certain issue, but might be opposed to that party on another issue.
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