Faith and Politics

[Peter Debelak]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Right, but if the bottom of one's logic that something is wrong is because God prohibits it (e.g. homosexual marriage), then if invoking God is wrong one has no basis for politically objecting to it, and so should keep quiet.

This is the downside of your argument. With some things (e.g. murder, stealing) it's easy to see how those violate other's rights and so should be illegal, without having to bring God into it.

With other issues (e.g. abortion, homosexual marriage), it's harder to see how they violate anyone's rights, and so arguers against them are compelled to invoke God.

Are you saying that with the second type of issue Christians should simply keep quiet politically?

Yes, that is what I am suggesting. Actually, I thought of this after I saw how I wrote the sentence you quoted. The way I phrased that implies I think it's okay to engage in politics based (solely) on a spiritual conviction. That is not what I meant.

If there is an argument against, for example, same-sex marriage that is a secular argument - and such arguments can be made - then argue those points.

If the ONLY rationale for wanting laws to be passed is one's personal faith, then I would suggest staying quiet.

Based on what Biblical principle are we to make our human governments more "Chrisitian"?

As engaged citizens, I don't see any reason not to get involved in politics - but to do so by making arguments that our fellow citizens, who may not share our faith, can respond to in reasoned debate.

Notice how hard is was to argue with LSMers? When the basis of their argument was "Witness Lee said so," you couldn't argue with them. Because I don't share the premise of their argument. There could be no mutuality. It is the same when someone uses their personal faith as the sole basis for their argument in public debate with those who don't share that faith.

Again, if there are secular arguments to make - make them and have good civic debate.

I agree with those who see the dangers of theocratic governments in Muslim nations. But I wouldn't want a "Chrisitian America" in the same way that Turkey is a "Muslim Turkey." Importantly, that is not the same as wanting all American't to be saved - which is a different issue. Even though Christianity is the faith we share, I don't want to see a US government that passes laws simply because our faith has an opinion on it.