Politick
In 1960, for example, in an address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, as a response to concerns on the way his Roman Catholic faith would affect important national decisions, President John F. Kennedy offered a clear response affirming the separation of church and state. Much of what he said was understandable; however, there is a point which I have to respectfully disagree. Kennedy said: “I am not the Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, who happens also to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my church on public matters, and the church does not speak for me.” [1] I find he misses the mark on this point.
Kennedy’s mistake was to think he could separate his faith from his policy making. The truth of the matter is our faith informs our policies.
The building of Solomon’s Temple illustrates the way faith can inform policy. David wanted to build a house for the Lord; however, God told the king that he was not the one to build a temple. God, however, said “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 7:12-13; cf. 2 Chron. 17:1-27).
Nevertheless, David still made preparations for a temple, which would be built once he passed his rule over to Solomon. Hence, “David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God. David prepared large quantities of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps, and more bronze than could be weighed; and timbers of cedar logs beyond number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought large quantities of cedar timber to David” (2 Chron. 22:2-4). Here we find David creating jobs, making long term plans, and establishing international trade agreements on the basis of his faith in God’s Word, that his descendent would build a temple for the Lord. Solomon, likewise, believed: “The LORD spoke to David my father, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name” (1 Kings 5:5). As such, when his reign was established, Solomon took on the construction of the temple, which included the establishment of an alliance with Hiram the king of Tyre, and the conscription of a massive labor force (1 Kings 5-7). David and Solomon’s belief in God’s Word ultimately became the basis for Israel’s long term economic policies.
It is then very unlikely a politician could separate his faith from policy making. President Kennedy would have been informed by his Roman Catholic beliefs. One can also say that President Barack Obama is informed by his faith, which is a liberal Christianity deeply influenced by Black Liberation Theology. Likewise, Mitt Romney is also influenced by his faith, as a devout Mormon in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints.
I would also have to say in the same breath that a candidate’s particular belief is a game changer in whether or not to vote for that candidate, and there are other factors to take into consideration. Although people of two different faiths can disagree on the cardinal tenants of their respective beliefs, they might still find common ground on issues related to preserving the common good (e.g. economic growth, the sanctity of life, family values, etc.). One can then support a candidate with a vote without necessarily agreeing with the candidate’s personal beliefs.
~ WGN
Notes:
1. NPR, “Transcript: JFK’s Speech on His Religion” http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16920600
Comments
Post a Comment