posted on August 12, 2004 12:58:37 PM new
Take back the faith
by Jim Wallis
Many of us feel that our faith has been stolen, and it's time to take it back. An enormous public misrepresentation of Christianity has taken place. Many people around the world now think Christian faith stands for political commitments that are almost the opposite of its true meaning. How did the faith of Jesus come to be known as pro-rich, pro-war, and pro-American? And how do we get back to a historic, biblical, and genuinely evangelical faith rescued from its contemporary distortions?
That rescue operation is even more crucial today, in the face of a social crisis that cries out for prophetic religion. The problem is clear in the political arena, where strident voices claim to represent Christians, when they clearly don't speak for most of us. We hear politicians who love to say how religious they are but utterly fail to apply the values of faith to their public leadership and political policies. It's time to take back our faith in the public square, especially in a time when a more authentic social witness is desperately needed.
When we do, we discover that faith challenges the powers that be to do justice for the poor, instead of preaching a "prosperity gospel" and supporting politicians that further enrich the wealthy. We remember that faith hates violence and tries to reduce it, and exerts a fundamental presumption against war, instead of justifying it in God's name. We see that faith creates community from racial, class, and gender divisions and prefers international community over nationalist religion, and we see that "God bless America" is found nowhere in the Bible. And we are reminded that faith regards matters such as the sacredness of life and family bonds as so important that they should never be used as ideological symbols or mere political pawns in partisan warfare.
The media likes to say, "Oh, then you must be the Religious Left." No, and the very question is the problem. Just because a Religious Right has fashioned itself in one predictable ideological guise does not mean that those who question this political seduction must be their opposite political counterpart. The best public contribution of religion is precisely not to be ideologically predictable nor a loyal partisan. To raise the moral issues of human rights, for example, will challenge both left- and right-wing governments who put power above principles. And religious action is rooted in a much deeper place than "rights" - that being the image of God in every human being.
Similarly, when the poor are defended on moral or religious grounds, it is not "class warfare" but rather a direct response to the overwhelming focus in the scriptures that claims the poor are regularly neglected, exploited, and oppressed by wealthy elites, political rulers, and indifferent affluent populations. Those scriptures don't simply endorse the social programs of liberals or conservatives, but make clear that poverty is indeed a religious issue and that the failure of political leaders to help uplift those in poverty will be judged a moral failing.
It is precisely because religion takes the problem of evil so seriously that it must always be suspicious of concentrated power - politically and economically - either in totalitarian regimes or in huge multinational corporations, which now have more wealth and power than many governments. It is indeed our theology of evil that makes us strong proponents of both political and economic democracy - not because people are so good, but because they often are not and need clear safeguards and strong systems of checks and balances to avoid the dangerous accumulations of power and wealth.
It's why we doubt the goodness of all superpowers and the righteousness of empires in any era, especially when their claims of inspiration and success invoke theology and the name of God. Given human tendencies for self-delusion and deception, is it any wonder that hardly a religious body in the world regards unilateral and pre-emptive war as "just?" Religious wisdom suggests that the more overwhelming the military might, the more dangerous its capacity for self- and public deception.
The loss of religion's prophetic vocation is terribly dangerous for any society. Who will uphold the dignity of economic and political outcasts? Who will question the self-righteousness of nations and their leaders? Who will question the recourse to violence and the rush to wars long before any last resort has been unequivocally proven? Who will not allow God's name to be used to simply justify ourselves, instead of calling us to accountability?
In an election year, the particular religiosity of a candidate, or even how devout they might be, is less important than how their religious and/or moral commitments and values shape their political vision and their policy commitments. Understanding the moral compass they bring to their public lives and how their convictions shape their political priorities is the true litmus test.
This commentary originally appeared in the September issue of Sojourners, and in The Boston Globe on July 13
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My right to speak my mind, to have a voice, to be what some have called "opinionated," is a right I deeply and profoundly cherish. And my only hope is that, one day soon, women--who have all earned their right to their opinions--instead of being called opinionated, will be called smart and well-informed, just like men. ~Teresa Heinz Kerry (bless her)
posted on August 12, 2004 01:49:30 PM new
The "religious" left loses all credibility with their support of abortion. It's obvious the article was written by an imposter, a leftist posing as a Christian. Politics is the left's religion.
posted on August 12, 2004 04:06:15 PM new
Roadsmith, Christiantity is a vast religion, isnt it?
Do you agree with this writer? Do you feel your religion is compromised by politics? Or that politicans in general are using religion as an opportunity?
Ebayguy, the latter day saints believe in pologamy. They are Christians as well. And Davod and Saul, two of the kings supposedly the most beloved and favored by God, were the biggest sinners going. Funny how God did not write them off.
posted on August 12, 2004 06:08:44 PM new
"Do you agree with this writer? Do you feel your religion is compromised by politics? Or that politicans in general are using religion as an opportunity?
"Ebayguy, the latter day saints believe in pologamy. They are Christians as well. And Davod and Saul, two of the kings supposedly the most beloved and favored by God, were the biggest sinners going. Funny how God did not write them off."
Neroter: To answer you: yes, I agree. I think my own spiritual beliefs have been hijacked by the farrrrr right, who are convinced theirs is the ONLY way and who are pawns of the Republican party. I am not currently attending church services but grew up a Protestant. God is important to me, and I pray daily--not for things I want but just as a sort of gratitude for the good things in life and communing with the Higher Power. (I know this is sounding very liberal and atheistic to some here; sorry.)
I'm not sure, though, that the Mormons ARE "Christians" in the traditional sense of the word as it stems from "Christ". Jesus has very little real significance to them; Joseph Smith is more important. They believe that Jesus is their spirit brother and is no more divine than the Mormons themselves are. It's rather weird, and it's hard to encapsulate here, quickly. They would desperately LIKE to be seen as a Christian religion but it's still rather sect-like to most of us who've lived around it.
edited to correct a spelling error.
___________________________________
My right to speak my mind, to have a voice, to be what some have called "opinionated," is a right I deeply and profoundly cherish. And my only hope is that, one day soon, women--who have all earned their right to their opinions--instead of being called opinionated, will be called smart and well-informed, just like men. ~Teresa Heinz Kerry (bless her)
[ edited by Roadsmith on Aug 12, 2004 06:32 PM ]
posted on August 12, 2004 09:31:18 PM newTo answer you: yes, I agree. I think my own spiritual beliefs have been hijacked by the farrrrr right, who are convinced theirs is the ONLY way and who are pawns of the Republican party
Explain that one Roadsmith?
I feel if you believe in God there is no one that can take that away from you except yourself.
What about Mr. Kerry, divorced, believes in abortion, but still professes his faith by going to the Catholic Church, where he is not supposed to take communion. Is that allright?
posted on August 12, 2004 11:10:25 PM new
Libra: I don't blame you for being a bit befuddled by my reply! I put it very clumsily. Of course, my own spiritual beliefs are still with me and have not been hijacked.
But the point in the article is, I think, a good one. The teachings of Jesus have been transmogrified into an order to be a conservative Republican Or Else. I am the daughter of a Protestant minister who taught us about Jesus' caring for those who can't care for themselves and who taught us that true Christianity is closer to the model of St. Francis of Assisi than it is of the Pharisees and moneychangers in the temple. The adoration of the Very Rich, and the subsequent disgusting tax breaks that stem from that adoration, are not to be admired. And I don't think it models or exhibits true Christian ideals, either.
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My right to speak my mind, to have a voice, to be what some have called "opinionated," is a right I deeply and profoundly cherish. And my only hope is that, one day soon, women--who have all earned their right to their opinions--instead of being called opinionated, will be called smart and well-informed, just like men. ~Teresa Heinz Kerry (bless her)
