God’s Sway at the Ballot Box

During last week, The Australian newspaper published an opinion piece by Ross Fitzgerald called “Moves afoot to counter God’s sway over the ballot box” with the tag line, “Anti-religious parties could play an important role at the next election”. Yes, another news article that speaks negatively about the role of religion, particularly the Christian faith, in Australian politics. What is going wrong here? Why are Christians in politics so poorly regarded? I’m thinking that this is going to be a recurring theme in this blog, because it looks like it is going to be a recurring theme in the media.

Fitzgerald comes across as no big fan of religion. He portrays religious beliefs as irrational and out-of-touch and, of course, cites examples from religious people that could be seen to back up his views. He highlights that religious groups get favourable treatment in terms of political access, and that the failure of the major parties to put an end to this has lead to the arising of three “freedom” parties that want to stamp out this unholy arrangement.

So, what is this all about? And this is an honest (not rhetorical) question… Is it about Christians trying to do the right thing in politics and coming up against opposition and persecution for doing what is right as the Bible said they would OR is it about Christians getting it wrong in the political arena, and getting what they deserve in terms of opposition and persecution. (I’m reminded of the title of a book I have on my bookshelf – “When Bad Christians Happen to Good People”). Are Christians in politics reaping what they have sown? Have people had enough of whatever it is they are doing and are movements rising up to oppose their agenda? I really don’t know...

I do know that there are a few things that Fitzgerald says that I don’t agree with. He certainly (and probably happily) comes from a different spiritual worldview than I do. He scoffs at the idea of the AIDS crisis in Africa as being described as a “spiritual crisis” by George Pell, which suggests to me that he has a dualistic view of the world that is at the heart of so much unhelpful spiritual and secular thinking. I’ve spent time in Zambia and have talked with people who have suffered from AIDS, lost people to AIDS and sought to prevent and respond to the problem of AIDS, and I can say with all my heart that AIDS in Africa is certainly a spiritual crisis in the holistic sense. Fitzgerald also says that religion can be reasonably argued to be responsible for wars, terrorism, child sex abuse and virulent anti-intellectualism. While we would all understand what he is referring to in just about all these cases, I think that the connections he is making are more things that could be “naively argued” rather than “reasonably argued”. Wars, terrorism and child abuse are very complex issues that are deeply influenced by personal, social, political, historical and cultural factors, and religion can play a role at any or all those levels. But to say that religion could be “reasonably argued” to be responsible for all these things is a worthless statement to make, particularly if you are going to accuse others of anti-intellectualism.

But getting back to my original questions… I’ve certainly seen and heard things from Christian politicians that have made me cringe, but at the same time, I’ve seen and heard some things that have encouraged me. I like the way some Christian politicians carry themselves and their faith, even if I haven’t agreed with them or voted for them. But then there are others who… well… you know… make you want to not let anyone else know that you also claim allegiance to Jesus. Could it be that Christian politicians and lobby groups have done too much to push for the rights and benefits of Christians themselves, and have been seen to use their power and influence for the benefit of Christians, rather than for the benefit of others who have needed a voice. Fitzgerald spends some word space in his article on the charitable status of Christian organisations and their businesses. Is the perception of Christians in politics and Christian lobby groups that they are in it too much for themselves and not for the benefit of others and the world at large?

What are Christians to do in the political arena? What and who are they to stand for? How should they carry themselves in their political roles? What is the role of faith in politics? These are questions that keep cropping up for me. Keep watching this space as I try to find some answers…

Shalom!