About a year ago, I found myself involved in an email discussion with a writer who published an article titled, “Why Christians Cannot Be Democrats.” I took a great deal of offense at such a statement, mostly because the article made the case for pro-life and Republican viewpoints more so than why democratic principles are anti-God. As far as I’m aware, God doesn’t even identify with any specific political system. I think it’s quite clear that God wants no part in the political process.
We all want God or whatever spiritual indicator we profess to be of the same mind as whatever hysteria we accept and integrate into our daily life. We want divine justification for whatever political missile our country has strapped itself to and we want God to be the standard-bearer peeking down from heaven with a wink of solidarity.
So, for Christians, that often means God is interpreted as a Republican. I doubt that is the case. How does a country like the United States somehow make the connection through history or biblical instruction that God likes our system of politics any better than … say … Iraq’s? Is the “American way” supposed to be squeezed with like-minded affection simply because it claims it has religious freedom?
I doubt God even wants democracy. I think He gave us freewill (the Calvinists might disagree) so we could make choices. But I think ultimately He wants us to know Him and choose His way as the best and most peaceful way of life. Does that mean God supports a theocratic version of government?
I doubt that as well. At least not the version of theocracy that the American people keep claiming we were founded upon. I’m sure that—like most things—it will go down as a matter of semantics. How does one define theocratic rule? The definition becomes decidedly muddied when the American capitalist machine adds its two cents. We aren’t a theocracy, and I doubt most Americans hold to that idea, but many people walk and talk as if they’ve secretly accepted such an assumption.
A real theocracy is probably much more similar to the Israelite-Old Testament version of government. And “God’s chosen” didn’t even want such a government. They wanted to be similar to the other nations and asked for a king when God seemed to strongly warn against it.
So He isn’t even a monarchist.
So what is He?
Come on God, pick a side of the fence already—throw in Your endorsement. Tell us what (and who) we’re supposed to be supporting…and no more of that “render to Caesar” absurdity. Are You an independent? Or just someone that wants His name left out of all the political nonsense?
RELATED LINKS:
CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS’ STANDS ON WAR WITH IRAQ
UPHOLDING LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
STANDOFF: UN INSPECTORS AND IRAQI OFFICIALS
CONFUSED ABOUT IRAQ?
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