Few
topics evoke intense emotions like discussions with political themes. For many
people, politics remains a controversial subject. Some see themselves as less
godly if they should participate or “taint” themselves in the political
process. Politicians are derided, abused, and demonized (in many instances deserving so).
The question then is, shouldn't something as significant as politics
receives more than a passing glance from
Christians, shouldn't we be bothered about how policies
and decisions are made about where we live, how we do business, relate to each,
defend our rights and responsibilities?
Many Christians believed it is not their job to get in
involved in politics, on the pretext that the task of straightening out a
fallen world has no correlation to the weightier matter of saving lost souls. The
other argument is the caution in James 4:4 that “…friendship with the world is
enmity with God, and Jesus’ statement in John 18:36, “My Kingdom is not of this
world….” They also believe that since God is supreme, he can take care of
politics on their behalf. But we have to be very careful that in appealing to
God's almighty power we do not use it as a convenient excuse in abdicating our
own responsibilities. Psalms 115:16 says “The highest heavens belong to the
LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind”. To do what? To "Be fruitful and
multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over …” Genesis 1:28
The
idea that politics is a dirty game no longer holds water. If it is dirty, it is
so, not in principle but as part of our own human imperfection; and it must be
seen in that light and not relegated to the back-burner as a game for
crooks and criminals. Politicians are merely the microcosm of society;
they are no better or worse than the general public. To think of it, is it
possible to expect politicians to be better than the people who elect them? Do
we now say that, because there are a few doctors giving the medical profession
a bad name we should shut down the healthcare system? Should the banking system
be abolished because a few bankers defraud their customers? Even in the
religious circles, we all know a few bad eggs among our religious
leaders, is that enough reason to close down our Churches. Politics is not
immune from the general breakdown in societal values. Instead of avoiding it,
the continual debate on correcting the anomalies is a better option.
As
Bill Maher, an American political commentator, television host, and satirist
commented some time ago, “It shouldn't be a bragging point that “Oh,
I don’t get involved in politics,” as if that makes you somehow cleaner.
No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in
government would have a much harder time of it if so many
people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and
blindly agreeable.”
As
Christians, it is important to have regular debates on our cultural
indoctrination as regard politics and the political process, because a great
many of us are held down by dis-empowering notions of politics, which
we have, through willful ignorance refuse to question. This is a
dead trap for which established political gladiators are more than happy
to have us in, since it serves their purpose of remaining unchallenged in their
feasting and exploitation of the collective birth-rights. As
Thomas Jefferson penned years ago, "If a nation expects to be
ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was
and never will be." Political education remains our only antidote to
political ignorance.
We
must realize that in a democracy, the only way to ensure lasting
change is through the political process. And we cannot change the
political process by siting on the fence or avoiding it altogether. The goal of
politics is acquisition of power, and power determines the allocation of
resources, resources provide leverage for political negotiations. As Robert
Linthicum put it in his essay, “Building
a People of Power,” “Power is the capacity,
ability and willingness to act! “Capacity” means, “the capability to
produce, perform or deploy”.
For a group to have the capacity to act means that they
have developed or gathered the resources together in order to exercise
power. For instance, if a
military unit has been issued rifles, but hasn’t been given any ammunition,
then they don’t have the capacity to act. Even though they might want to attack
the enemy and are expert marksmen, the absence of ammunition means that they
don’t have the resources at their disposal that enables them to act.
Second, power is the ability to act. Ability consists of having the skill,
aptitude and/or competence to carry out the action one wishes to
undertake. Thus, to use the
military illustration once again, if one has adequate rifles and ammunition in
abundance, but no one in the unit knows how to fire the rifles or can’t hit
“the side of a barn”, they don’t have the ability to act. Capacity without ability still creates
a powerless situation.
Thirdly, power is the willingness to act. There must be a resolve and a
commitment on the part of the group to act, even if that means taking the risks
necessary to act. Thus, if
one has sufficient ordinances (capacity) and the skill to use them (ability),
but they do not have the resolve or motivation to go into battle, then you
would still have a powerless situation.”
As
an instrument of attaining power, allocating resources, negotiating terms and
formulating policy, politics must be seen as a responsibility of all citizens
including Christians even though we have a choice not to participate.
Christians especially must see themselves as agents of change in the political
arena, they must take their place as the “salt of the earth” and the “light of
the world”. We have not been sent to a select part of the earth (select
professions), but to all the earth. If the kingdom of this world must become
the Kingdom of our God, then behoves us to participate in that
transition. Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the
midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless,
guileless, and without falsity) as doves. Be on guard against men [whose way or
nature is to act in opposition to God]; Matthew 10:16, 17 (AMP).
Just
as we do not give up on ourselves in our quest to live according
to biblical standards, this attitude and deposition must be our
anchor as we face the challenges in the political arena. We must not let
the fear of “political wolves” drive us away from exerting our influence in the
political process. As is the case in every other aspect of our lives, we must
request for the wisdom of God in our participation in politics. If any of (us)
lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach,
and it will be given him. James 1:5
Citizens
(including Christians) involvement in politics is matter of individual choice
and prerogative, but it is also a responsibility. In the words of J. John
(Canon) “…everybody ought to be involved in politics. We are affected either
directly or indirectly on a daily basis by the way our nation is managed. So it
is crucial that the Christian should stay informed on the workings of our
governmental systems. ‘For evil to triumph it is merely necessary that good men
do nothing’ (Edmund Burke). To say it another way – all that is necessary for
the weak and powerless to be crushed is for no one to stand up for them.
Politics is about how our nation is run; if we want our government to run more
effectively and more ethically, we must play our part by getting involved.
Through the power of the vote and advocacy, Christians have the opportunity to
ensure government is just and fair to all citizens. We should not forfeit or
take for granted our valuable voice and our right to vote”. We owe it to
ourselves, to God and posterity to maximize the most of our material,
physical, mental, and spiritual potential in contributing to the world we
see as we hope for the world to come.
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