The media is buzzing with Republican efforts to get out the conservative vote in evangelical churches. Meanwhile, liberals are infiltrating conservative churches, hoping to catch them engaging in partisan politics, in order to report them to the Internal Revenue Service. Indeed, conservatives are returning the favor, and seeking to intimidate liberal churches as well, where politics has been the order of business for generations.
Political pundits cast this election along a religious divide: one’s vote is being predicted based on church attendance. Church regulars are expected to vote overwhelmingly Republican while those who do not regularly attend are far more likely to vote Democratic. This doesn’t begin to tell the whole story, which is just as much ethnic and racial as it is religious. Seventh-day Adventists are not unique in our own voting patterns. Typically, Anglos tend to vote Republican while Latino and African-American Adventists tend to vote Democratic. The Asians don’t fit neatly into either category.
In my travels, church members often ask about how they should vote. Some express concern about gay marriage, and like the fact that President Bush is an evangelical who supports traditional marriage. Others are concerned about the erosion of freedom, the Patriot Act, and Attorney General John Ashcroft’s methods in combating terrorism. Members are also sharply divided on the wisdom of the war in Iraq. Some worry that the United States is expanding its empire, and behaving more and more “dragon-like” in fulfillment of Revelation 13. Yet, there is strong support for fighting terrorism, and no sympathy for Saddam Hussein.
Common among all people of faith is the attempt to apply biblical values to electoral decisions. Traditionally, the ethnic churches have promoted social programs favored by Democrats, while social conservatives emphasize a different set of concerns — opposition to abortion, gay rights and family values. Sadly, there is little respect shown for differing positions.
Partisan politics in the pulpit, in the pew, in the foyer, and even in the fellowship hall is simply wrong. In John 17, Christ prayed for unity in the church. We cannot pursue unity if we divide along party lines. Paul wrote of Christians that we are “ambassadors for Christ.” It is not only registered Republicans who are called to be ambassadors for Christ, or registered Democrats, but all believers.
American Christians are in danger of losing their grip on Christ by holding our political views too tightly. Consider some of Ellen White’s counsel on the subject of politics: “Would we know how best to please the Saviour? It is not in engaging in political speeches, either in or out of the pulpit. .. When the speaker … talks politics to the people, he is mingling the common fire with the sacred. He dishonors God” (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 331-337).
“Those who teach the Bible in our churches and in our schools are not at liberty to unite in making apparent their prejudices for or against political men or measures, because by so doing they stir up the minds of others, leading each to advocate his favorite theory. … [D]ivision will be brought into the church. … The Lord would have His people bury political questions…. Let political questions alone. …There is to be no party strife in the family of God” (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 475-484).
“God has warned His people not to become absorbed in politics. We cannot bear the sign of God as His commandment-keeping people, if we mingle with the strife of the world. We are not to give our minds to political issues” (Letter 92, 1899).
Finally, lest the reader think Ellen White was advocating that Christians abstain from voting and politics altogether, consider just one statement about voting and temperance: “Every individual exerts an influence in society. In our favored land, every voter has some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation. Should not that influence and that vote be cast on the side of temperance and virtue?” (Gospel Workers, p 387).
Do you cast your vote for virtue by voting Republican or Democrat, Kerry or Bush? Each person must prayerfully decide for themselves. It is easy to say let's keep politics out of church, but what do we do when there is political discussion? Each person must examine their own heart, and avoid judging anyone because of their political views. In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, Republican nor Democrat, but we are all one.
