In part 1, I cited the Beatitudes as setting forth Christ’s values, and added my own comments on how these might apply to the issues we face as we vote in the mid-term elections.
In part 2, I cited the passage from Matthew 25, in which Jesus spoke of separating the sheep from the goats, based on how they had treated “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine.”
But how much of this is government’s responsibility? Well, government is the people, and its policies affect us all. A democratically elected government reflects the values of its people. It’s unavoidable.
So what are the values we want reflected in our government?
Many white evangelicals today are promoting a politics based on fear:
- Fear of Mexicans and Central Americans fleeing danger and poverty, and seeking asylum
- Fear of undocumented immigrants, many of them Hispanics, living in the U.S., including those brought here as children, some many years ago
- Fear of African-American men on the streets of our cities
So they chant “build the wall” and “lock them up.”
Unarmed African-American men are beaten and even killed by police officers, and many evangelicals look the other way or, even worse, defend the actions of the police.
Undocumented immigrants . . . this is a “crime” worthy of incarceration? Where is the mercy for those who are simply seeking a better life for their families, as any of us in their shoes would do? Would Christ vote for those who cruelly detain these families in cages – and even separate them from their children, sending them, even infants, to other such detention centers?
Christ’s disciples were fearful on occasion . . . and Christ chastened them, “O you of little faith. Don’t be afraid.” Christ lived and taught a bold, fearless love, especially for those in greatest need.
Our nation’s “war on drugs” has led to an unconscionable separation of African-American husbands and fathers from their families, causing many to question whether this “war” was a pretext for a war on African-American men. Would Jesus vote for a policy that condemns drug users to a life in prison rather than seeking to help and redeem them?
Jesus chastened his disciples when they shooed children away from him. Would Jesus vote for legislators who support policies that make profit centers out of our schools, starving our public school system – which makes an education available to every child, including those in poverty and those with special needs – while voting to give taxpayer money to corporations running private schools available to only the wealthiest and healthiest?
Speaking of children, evangelicals have – for decades – typically made abortion their key issue. The promise that Donald Trump would appoint “pro-life” justices to the Supreme Court may well have been key to his narrow Electoral College win in 2016. And I understand why they consider abortion important. However, it’s important to keep in mind that, whereas outlawing abortions is likely to simply drive them underground, abortions have historically been fewest when good health care has been made widely available and easily accessible to women. That’s the real key to lowering abortions.
We also need to keep in mind that a true “pro-life” theology shouldn’t revolve solely around the issue of abortion – it should include care at every stage of life; that means making good health care available to ALL people, regardless of their financial means; making a good education, including pre-K, available to ALL children . . . and all of the care Jesus mentioned in Matthew 25.
Finally, the value of truth. Jesus said that he is not only the way and the life, but the truth. If we call ourselves Christ-followers, we must seek and discern the truth, even if it conflicts with our own political agenda.
Go to: Part 1: The Beatitudes Part 2: The Sheep and the Goats