Politicizing Faith – Political Fervor Pollutes and Poisons the Gospel – Greg Albrecht

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As a teenager I was fascinated with politics, looking back I realize now I was infatuated and intrigued somewhat like a moth on a hot summer night is attracted to a bug zapper. I suppose, to some degree, what I heard in church provided a foundation for my political interests. The church I attended with my parents during most of my formative years in grade and high school paired its conservative beliefs with an unspoken, though obvious political leaning, as do so many churches and temples and synagogues to this day.

It was a fundamentalist, rules happy, authoritarian end-times preaching church – heavily implying that Republicans were more likely to do good for the country while Democrats would hasten the return of Jesus because, as I look back on the brainwashing/indoctrination, their policies would test the patience of God. Preachers in the church I attended would often say, after a Republican won an election, “Well, it looks like we have a little more time left” [that is, until the Second Coming]. For those mesmerized and addicted to the religious rhetoric, it seems the penny never fell – “surely we all want Jesus to return so shouldn’t we want Democrats to be in power at every level?” Cognitive dissonance is one of the recurring realities in Christless religion.

While I have never joined a political party, and intend never to take such a step (I vote as an independent) I did “join a church” and remained, sometimes deeply involved (hook, line and sinker) and then progressively, over the years, gradually rejecting its worldview. “Kicking the habit” – overcoming the indoctrination and addiction – “getting out” was a rescue empowered by God’s amazing grace, and now, looking back, having had such a toxic experience so many years ago I have determined to follow Christ without religious affiliation.

I have not “belonged” to any religious entity for several decades. I will not allow either a political party or a legal entity incorporated as a church to assume they own my mind, my heart and my allegiance. As one who values and deeply appreciates freedom in Christ I will not check my brains at the door of a church building or surrender my thought process and become a mindless robot at a ballot box.

Given recent tragedies, many are saying once again our country is in a big mess – hatred and violence continue to grow. Yes … but remember, hatred and violence has been a part of the United States, indeed in all countries throughout world history. Any level of hatred, discord and violence is alarming, now or at any time.

Within politics the intensity of discord and hatred is alarming, but expected. But wait, have you looked? Many religions seem to be infected and infused with hate. And what did Jesus advise? Look to the fruit (Matthew 7:16).

The fruit of involvement with a political cause is that zeal for earthly justice and equity (as defined – though often differently – by earthly entities of politics and religion) often overwhelms and overshadows Christ-centered faith. Hate replaces and overwhelms love.

The manner in which activists who identity as Christians (activists for any political perspective or “side”) come to interpret faith seems to be in large part determined by their political cause. When people “discover” that God hates the same kind of people they do then they, as religious slaves and addicts they see and treat others (even within the body of faith) as the enemy. When faith jumps into bed with politics, invariably the purity of faith is often sullied and defiled.

I am reminded of G.K. Chesterton who once said that Jesus probably told us to love our enemies and pray for our neighbors because they are often the same people. The lament in the United States by many today is that one cannot talk with others who differ with them. Not only must they avoid doing so because of the heated arguments that are sure to follow, it turns out doing so may be dangerous. Need anyone be reminded one can lose one’s life by talking about their faith?

The new mantra introduced over the past few decades is that beyond all values one must be tolerant. But closer examination of what those who chant this mantra seem to propose is that tolerance is a demand for everyone to capitulate to their philosophical, ethical platform. “You must be tolerant of me, while I have no need to tolerate you. Tolerance for me but not for thee. Give tolerance to me, but for my part, unless you follow my instructions I will call you nasty names and do anything but tolerate you.”

Sadly, many who feel they are Christian have been lured into the deep swamps of Christless religion – swamps where potent witches’ brews of religion and politics are served up, employing a wide variety of political ingredients, beguilingly promoted on the swamp menu under the names of all levels of political affiliation. Political and religious cooks sneak politics into faith, camouflaging political poison and pollution like one does when administering medicine to their dog. Mix the medicine with peanut butter – it tastes great and goes down the hatch so much easier!

In places of worship where their faith becomes toxic, sincere people become religious addicts, slaves to a Christless ideology. They come to embrace causes, ideals, initiatives, political platforms, and baptize those beliefs into what they call Christianity. And again, for emphasis, Christless religious addiction thrives across the denominational divide, producing hatred and division, an anti-Christ fruit, not of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hateful rhetoric and shameful name-calling has invaded, and continues to invade, faith. Politics has successfully infiltrated holy places, constructing new ideals, new missions, new paths of justice and equity, all in the name of Jesus. It’s nothing more than idolatry.

The book of Revelation decries the Babylonian system that deceives and controls the world. Likening this religious addiction to the deceitful seductions of an adulterous woman, we read that an angel comes down from heaven, shouting:

For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries. (Revelation 18:3)

Then, John, to whom this revelation was given, relates hearing another heavenly voice, crying out:

Come out of her, my people… (Revelation 18:4).

You may recall the obstacles John Bunyan described in “Pilgrim’s Progress” – there were, and still are, many ditches into which a Christ follower might fall, then and now. Bunyan warned against abstract evils like fear, pride, shame and the power of the world, and he created metaphorical word pictures of other roadblocks and impediments presented by, among others, the Slough of Despond and Doubting Castle. In our 21st century world, were Bunyan to write a sequel, there is no doubt in my mind he would add Politicizing Faith.

Come out of her, my people.

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