I hope they make you think.
Today's reason why I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith nation:
A few days before his death, Jesus is approached by two Jewish groups, the Pharisees and the Herodians, and asked whether God's law allows paying taxes to Rome. Without delving too deep into first century history, suffice it to say that Pharisees and Herodians do not normally cooperate, and this question is meant as a trick: it will force Jesus to declare allegiance to a particular side of a political argument at the time. Jesus refuses to take the bait. "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and give to God the things that are God's." (Mark 12:17)
Article 34 of our ELCA's Draft Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith reads, “Christ’s church should not bless any particular political theory; no political system or theory is final or ultimate. To the extent that U.S. government is formed for the general welfare and guided by good principles, whether rooted in Christian ideas or not, it should be affirmed. It is for these reasons that our church objects to religious bodies endorsing or supporting candidates or parties, or exercising partisanship in any way.”
Jesus never joined any party in his own time, and the Church as the Body of Christ should never engage in partisan politics. We vowed at our baptism to "strive for justice and peace in all the earth," which does entail taking an active role in our communities and our political systems. As individuals, we absolutely should take part in the process, and maybe even run for office if the Spirit calls us. But as a church, we dare not, and we will not, say that God endorses only one party in our deeply flawed system. God is not a Republican or a Democrat. Full stop.
For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.
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