Role of Religion in Politics

How’s that for a broad post topic? Well, I’ve got too much to do today to spend extra time “crafting” it. *wink*

I read this article today—Some young religious voters focus on social justice—and found it lacking in so many ways. Some the fault of the author, others either ignorance or deceit on the part of the populace.

They are trying to expand the focus of faith-based politics beyond the religious right’s hot-button issues of abortion and gay marriage. And they are placing social justice issues, like poverty and war, at the intersection of their moral and political decision making.

Poverty is certainly something religious minded people should focus their efforts towards improving but, “The Poor You Will Always Have With You…”. It’s unavoidable. But more importantly, the government’s role should be towards the greater good of our people as a whole.

Second, war is not always evil. There are just wars. Is not the prevention of the slaughter of millions by the sacrifice of thousands a noble effort? The knee-jerk concept that all war is wrong or that anyone who doesn’t endorse a particular low-income project or bill is somehow unloving is in and of itself an insidious act.

The shift of young faith-based voters both dramatic and complex. ”They’re leaving the Republican Party in droves, but they’re not automatically Democrats,” Wallis said.

Unfortunately, I believe this is largely the fault of today’s Republican Party who has done a horrendous job of maintaining conservative ideals. To use a sports idiom, “You gotta go with what got you here.” The GOP hasn’t and (some) people are bolting. There needs to be a clarion call back to increasing freedom (less government) and a higher value on moral responsibility.

”The youth of America today is very divided,” said Esther Winne, 18, a Christian conservative from Lancaster, Pa., who originally backed Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination but now favors Sen. John McCain. ”I think we’re looking for change. I think we’re looking for something new. But I think people are looking in different places.”

Change will always be desired. Always. The grass is always greener…

People should be leery when any politician speaks 90% of the time about change and only 10% of the time about how that change will be achieved.

This is probably Rule #1 in the Politics For Dummies, 2nd Edition, yet voters are still swayed.

”The message that Barack Obama tends to have definitely appeals to people in my generation, especially people in the faith and justice movement,” said Jon Gromek, a 22-year-old organizing associate at Network, a Catholic social justice group based in Washington.

Never underestimate the power of good marketing. Barack’s track record shows a consistent voting against traditional marriage and for abortion; two easy-to-track issues that have an obvious religious direction despite what anyone says.

I’m dismayed to say that at the end of the day, far too many will turn a blind eye to the example that Jesus gave—others before oneself, protect the innocent, promote the family as God intended, et al.—and try to justify the choice they want instead of the choice they know is right.