Jesus at the Ballot Box

So here we are again. Another election. Another chance to ask ourselves what kind of country we would like to have—and what sort of values we want displayed in our policies. Those of us who claim the Christian faith are accustomed to pondering what the Lord requires of us in all situations—of which voting is undoubtedly one of the most important. So how does Jesus want us to vote?

Political figures often claim to have the definitive answer—which inevitably includes supporting their particular positions at the moment. They know just how Jesus would vote, and they are eager to explain it to us.

In Illinois’ 2004 Senate race, Republican candidate Alan Keyes famously attempted to bait future Senator Barack Obama by declaring that Jesus would not vote for the Democrat. Sen. Obama’s off-the-cuff reply remains a gem of political class and intellect:

I leave it to God to decide how good a Christian I am. I leave it to the people of Illinois to decide how good a U.S. Senator I will be. I am unconcerned with Mr. Keyes’ opinion on either matter.

Well put, and fair enough. But while we are on the subject, what would Jesus’ opinion be? He would certainly be surprised—and likely dismayed—by the role his name and legacy play in our current politics. When we view the bundle of political goods peddled under the “Christian” brand, it is natural to wonder what Jesus would think of those politicians who most frequently and forcefully invoke his name. What would he think of the so-called “religious right?”

The problem here is in the question. It assumes the religious right is an exclusively modern phenomenon. In fact, however, most societies throughout history have featured those who use religion to consolidate and protect their political and economic power. The time of Jesus was certainly no exception. So the real question is not what he would have thought of the religious right, but rather what he did think of them.

Sadly for many of today’s politicians the answer is: not much. Jesus was unabashed in his opposition to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other corrupted religious authorities of his day. He boldly challenged their version of God’s message. They could quote all the scripture they wanted, but to Jesus, they were missing the point—blind to the will and word of God.

Scripture demanded the adulteress be stoned, but Jesus declared that God had a better way. Dogmatic law dictated societal segregation, but Jesus embraced the Samaritan. Tradition allowed for shady financial deals in the temple, but Jesus would have none of it. Religious authorities sought to consolidate political power, but Jesus drew a line between God and Caesar.

And most importantly, when religious leaders stressed adherence to a particular interpretation of arcane rules, Jesus told them to toss out the book. All we need, he said, is to love the Lord our God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Politicians often tell us that voting for “Christian values” means supporting certain views on abortion or sexuality. But are those really the priorities of Jesus? Is that the extent of his message for us? It seems to this Christian that he had his eyes on a bigger picture.

How would he vote? I do not know. But I can follow his example to the best of my ability by praying to God and voting for the benefit of my neighbor—rich or poor, American or Iraqi, Christian or not. My heart and soul tell me to vote against war-making, against hypocrisy and dishonesty, against corruption and injustice. My mind and strength will lead me to stand up for a change.

The Only Way to Go?

"I will vote," says the man at the church potluck, "and I'll vote the Republican line. It's the only way to go." I am watching a feature story on supposed voter apathy among the Republican Party's core voters. As the reporter finds, the malaise might not be enough to keep them away from the polls. As disappointed as they are with the performance of their leaders, many longtime Republican voters will show up on November 7, hold their nose, and vote the bums back in. If this is true, the expected Democratic sweep may never materialize.

Over the past three decades, the Republican Party has planned and executed a magnificent marketing strategy. They have managed to convince a large segment of the population that they are the only genuine option. They are patriots who love America; those who disagree with their actions or policies are traitors to their country. They speak with the voice of God in defining family, morality, values, and faith; all others are heretical. They want to protect us from evil people; their opponents and critics want us to die.

Much like a successful corporation--think Coca-Cola or Nike--they have secured brand loyalty that is completely independent from the actual quality of the product produced. The man at the potluck will vote their way not because they produce ethical, efficient government, but rather because he trusts the brand. It is the only way to go.

The party regularly tests this notion by flatly betraying conservative ideals. They give us fiscally irresponsible budgets, setting records for spending and deficits. They lead us into reckless foreign entanglements. They strip away our constitutional liberties and our system of checks and balances. Faced with a choice between voting “conservative,” and voting Republican, the voters—time and time again—choose party over principle.

With no need to worry that voters will hold them accountable, officials in our national government have virtually no incentive to govern well, or to lead responsibly. I hope that the man in the story will realize that anyone who fights for what he or she thinks is best for the country is a patriot. I pray he realizes that all of us have values, and want what is best for our families. And deep down, he has to know already that all of our leaders, regardless of party or political philosophy, want to protect us.

I hope he carries these thoughts with him into the privacy of the voting booth. I hope we all do.

Compassion

A proverb that floats around charity and non-profit circles goes like this: "Without passion, nothing happens. Without compassion, bad things happen." Sometimes I wish our civil leaders were more familiar with the phrase.

The news this week has offered us some valuable lessons in compassion—some amazing examples to emulate, and some inexplicably shameful actions from which we can all learn.

We have the gut-wrenching story from Lancaster County, PA, where a desperate and very ill man murdered five schoolgirls, and wounded five others, before committing suicide. Sadly, we have seen this movie before. We know how it goes. Next come the vengeful quotes from the understandably devastated families. Then the lawyers and media descend, trying to find the most marketable scapegoat. Politicians jump at the chance to exploit the families’ grief and rage. Later—much, much, later—we turn on the television to see the parents telling Oprah how they have pieced their lives back together. They can never forgive, they tell us, but they have to move on. We nod in agreement, marveling at their strength, still seething with vicarious anger.

But that is not what happened in Pennsylvania, because, as we all know, this was no ordinary schoolhouse. This man chose an Amish community for his attack, and if there can be a bright side to this awful episode, it is our opportunity to learn from the actions of a truly compassionate people.
Can you ever forgive? Most of us would require years of therapy just come to grips with question. Not in Lancaster County. The day after the shooting, the mother of one of the victims told a reporter she had already forgiven the gunman, saying “Christ forgave us. We must forgive each other.” The same afternoon, community leaders contacted the perpetrator’s family to offer their deepest empathy and support. This is their way. They preach humility and peace, and lead by example. Times of trouble serve to reinforce, not threaten, their faith.

I witnessed this incredible spirit when my wife lost her uncle Steve in a construction accident last year. Steve ran a fine carpentry business in central Michigan, and employed many of the local Amish men. Carpentry is a cultural tradition for the Amish, and their workmanship is nearly unequaled. During that long, terrible night in the hospital, and the funeral services later in the week, they were a constant presence. I was—and remain—truly in awe of their wisdom, strength, and moral leadership.

It seems our leaders in Washington would do well to learn from that example. When it was revealed that Congressman Mark Foley of Florida had been taking sexual advantage of underage pages, Congressional leadership reacted the same way any of us would—with disgust. Now, however, it appears Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and others knew about this behavior months ago, and chose to do nothing. They chose to protect their political party instead of the minors entrusted to their care. The fear of political fallout and the pressure to win carried the day over the well-being of these young people. In short, our leaders demonstrated a tragic lack of compassion for those who needed their protection.

Should we judge Speaker Hastert’s entire career over this episode? No. Is he an evil man who wants to see children harmed? Not likely. But he and his leadership team made a colossal error in moral judgment, and should pay with their jobs.

Their error was in their fundamental lack of compassion. Just as a disturbed gunman in a schoolhouse, they lost the ability to feel empathy for the victims. We must follow the lead of the Pennsylvania Amish, and fill that compassion void. Protect future children from the risk of another cover-up by removing those responsible. Show God’s compassion by forgiving Speaker Hastert, the other senior leadership, and even Congressman Foley for their actions. Learn from these mistakes, move on together, and strive always to remember that virtue without which only bad things will happen–compassion.

What the polls say...

The magic number for Democrats is shrinking, bit by bit. One offshoot of the horrible situation surrounding the resignation of Congressman Foley of Florida is that Democrats will now pick up his seat, barring some inexplicable event. It is too late for the Republicans to get Foley's name off the ballot. This brings the number to 12 for the House. That's doable.

The Senate appears within reach, as well. The latest poll numbers are promising.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15046834/

I know Democrats will not sweep in and clean up the country. I know we'll still face the same problems, with the same potential for corruption and incompetence. But I'm rooting for them anyway. Strongly. There is almost no way they could be worse. And perhaps the Republicans would truly analyze what caused them to lose, and face what has happened to their party. A more responsible and honest, reformed Republican Party would be healthy for the nation, too.