Politics and Religion - A Guide for Christians

Politics and Religion (a guide for Christians)

Introduction 

Many Christians seem to vote based on secular self-interest rather than a Biblical worldview.  Others claim that they must vote one way because God has implicitly endorsed the candidate and/or party based on their positions on specific issues. I would contend that a Christian should ground themselves in scripture to see what position God takes on various concerns and make a decision with the Bible as the standard against which to measure all candidates.

Republican or Democrat?

Neither major party in the US holds consistently to Christian values. Republicans tend to be more pro-life, and Democrats tend to favor helping the poor and underprivileged. There are Bible-believing Christians in each party as well as those claiming to be Christian but not reflecting that worldview.

Sanctity of Life

Biblical Standard

God shows great concern for the sanctity of life (Genesis 1:27, Exodus 20:13,21:22, Psalm 139:13), while also sanctioning capital punishment (Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:12,22:18; Deuteronomy 13:5,22:23-27; Romans 13:3-4).

Political Positions

Republicans tend to be strongly pro-life in terms of opposing abortion-on-demand and euthanasia, while supporting capital punishment, arguing it is only used to atone for brutally taking of innocent life. 

Democrats tend to be strongly pro-abortion ("pro-choice") claiming it respects the rights of women, and support government subsidy of the abortion industry claiming it helps poor single mothers.  Similarly, Democrats tend to support assisted-suicide, claiming it respects the rights of the sick and elderly to die with dignity, while opposing capital punishment.

Poverty

Biblical Standard

The Bible clearly demonstrates God's concern for the poor, underprivileged, and downtrodden. This is clearly evident in the Law (Exodus 23:11, Leviticus 19:10, 23:22, 25:35-37, Deuteronomy 15:7-11,24-14), in the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 25:40), and in the New Testament epistles (James 1:27). .

Political Positions

Democrats show great concern for the poor and underprivileged and tend to support taxpayer-funded government welfare programs without time limits and few strings attached. The result has been in many cases creating a dependency on government support and led to a decrease in charitable giving in favor of higher taxes.

Republicans tend to support putting time limits and other conditions on welfare programs, with an emphasis on getting people back into the workforce. Republicans also tend to support charitable organizations as a source of relief for the poor.

Women's Rights

Biblical Standard

The Biblical view of women is enlightened compared to any ancient society and teaches that men and women are both of equal value, created in the image of God (Genesis 5:1-2). In addition, in the Old Testament, women such as Deborah, Esther, Rahab, and Ruth played significant roles in the history of Israel (Joshua 2, Judges 4-5, Ruth, Esther) and the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

By the first century, women had become second class citizens in Israel, but Jesus did not treat them that way.  He allowed women to follow him as disciples (Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, Luke 8:1-3) and even spoke to the Samaritan woman (John 4:4-30, 39-42) which was unheard of.

The first witnesses of the crucifixion were women (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-11), and women held positions of authority in the early church (Acts 1:12-14, 9:36, 16:14, 18:24-26, 21:7-9, Romans 16:1-16). Also, the New Testament teaches the equality of all in Christ (Galatians 3:26-29).

(for a more thorough discussion, see https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_womensrights.htm)

Political Positions

Republicans were instrumental in passing the 19th amendment after taking control of the House and Senate, and 25 or the 38 states that voted to ratify the amendment had Republican-led legislatures. Republicans and Democrats both supported the Equal Rights Amendment, although momentum was killed when conservative women raised concerns about the impact of the ERA on housewives and the possibility of it leading to women being drafted for military service. Republicans currently take a "pro life" position in the abortion debate, which is seen by many as restricting women's rights, despite being supported by more women than men.

Democrats were not as strongly supportive of women's suffrage. However, the Democrats supported the Equal Rights Amendment and continued to advocate for it after it lost momentum due to objections from conservative women.  Democrats currently take a "pro choice" position in the abortion debate, sadly succeeding in framing it as an issue of women's reproductive rights.

Racial Equality

Biblical Standard

Passages such as Galatians 3:28, Romans 15:7, and the book of Philemon can be cited as examples of the radical view of racial and ethnic equality held by Christians in the first century.

Christian teaching also emphasizes that all men and women have been created in God's image and have equal value regardless of races ethnicity, or gender.

Political Positions

Republicans led the fight to end slavery, opposed Jim Crow laws, and supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (82% in favor). Republicans have largely opposed affirmative action laws on grounds that it promotes racism of a different kind.

Democrats supported the status quo during the period leading up to the Civil War and enacted Jim Crow laws after slavery was abolished. Democrats supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78% in favor). Democrats have supported affirmative action as a means of addressing discrimination.

LGBTQ Movement

Biblical Standard

The Bible teaches that all of mankind was created in the image of God (Genesis 5:1-2) and that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  In other words, all people are of equal value regardless of their sinful choices, but that does not change the need for people to repent of their sin and turn toward God (Acts 2:38).  Just as sex outside of marriage is sinful (Exodus 20:14, Hebrews 13:4), homosexual behavior and other deviations from the Biblical standards of sexuality are clearly outside of God's will and considered sinful (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). 

Marriage was instituted by God as a covenant relationship which illustrates the relationship between God and his people (Hosea 1:2), which extends to the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:25-33).

God ordained marriage as specifically between one man amd one woman, forming the basis of the family as the means of procreation and child-rearing
(Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6).

Political Positions

Democrats have largely embraced the LGBTQ movement as a civil rights movement equivalent to the civil rights movement for African Americans in the 1960's.  Democrats have advocated for same-sex marriage as well as normalization of LGBTQ lifestyle in public school curricula.

Republicans have largely opposed treating same sex marriage as a civil rights issue in favor of a position of supporting traditional marriage as the ideal situation for raising children and therefore deserving of special legal treatment.

Immigration

Biblical Standard

God shows great concern for the rights of foreigners in the land, and He does expect them to obey the laws (Exodus 22:21, Exodus 23:9, Exodus 23:12, Leviticus 19:33-34, Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 15:15-16, Deuteronomy 10:18-19). 

The mosaic law also provides for sanctuary cities, which are havens to protect those who accidentally would kill another from retribution. It was not intended to shelter law breakers. (Numbers 35:15)

Political Positions

Democrats are advocates for open immigration, to the extent of declaring immigrants here illegally as simply "undocumented", claiming any attempts to enforce immigration laws "racist". Democrats also support sanctuary city laws in which cities can continue 

Republicans are advocates for controlled immigration, insisting on enforcing immigration laws, including preventing unauthorized entry and deporting illegal immigrants.

Religious Freedom

Biblical Standard

God has given men the freedom to choose, and in lands not under a covenant relationship with God (Old Testament Israel), expected his people to be allowed to worship according to their conscience (Daniel 3, 6).

Political Positions

Religious freedom as provided in the U.S. Constitution is intended to allow people to worship as they see fit and not be forced to follow a state-mandated religion.

The progressive wing of the Democratic party, which has dominated the party in recent years, has supported efforts to restrict religious expression in the form of monuments and other public displays of the Ten Commandments, crosses, nativity scenes, etc. under pressure from the ACLU and other groups. In addition, the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as "Obamacare"), which passed with only a single Republican vote, included provisions mandating insurers cover birth control, leading some organizations such as the Little Sisters of the Poor to sue in federal court for exemption due to religious objection.

Republicans have spoken against the positions taken by Democrats regarding religious freedom and focused efforts on gaining the presidency and control of the Senate in order to appoint more conservative judges and Supreme Court justices that would uphold the "free exercise" clause of the Constitution.

Environmental Policy

Biblical Standard

God placed mankind on the earth with the intention of having dominion over the other creatures on the earth, and he gave him stewardship over the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:26-28,2:15).  He also reminded the Israelites that the land belongs to God (Leviticus 25:23, Psalm 24:1), both the flora and the fauna (Deuteronomy 22:6-7, Matthew 6:26,28-29).

Political Positions

Democrats introduced and supported legislation throughout the 20th century to address air and water pollution, which reached culminated in the Clean Air Act of 1970 and Clean Water Act of 1972. Since then, Democrats have continued to advance environmental protection, with a recent focus on climate change.

Republicans supported environmental legislation throughout the 20th century through the Nixon and Ford administrations. Since then, Republican policies have generally favor balancing economic impact with environmental impact by limiting restrictions on businesses and opening more federal land to energy companies. Republicans have generally opposed solutions to climate change that place economic burden on businesses and drive up energy costs.

Regulatory Burden

Biblical Standard

God has established government and expects people to submit to governing authority (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). He also holds nations accountable (Ezekiel 6-7,20-32, Joel, Obadiah, Amos, Revelation 16-19).

Political Positions

Republicans generally support smaller government (outside of national defense) and reduced regulatory burden on businesses and individuals.

Democrats generally support more government control and thus a larger bureaucracy, especially with regards to regulating businesses, implementing social programs, and moving toward a single payer health care system.

Taxes and Spending

Biblical Standard

Citizens are expected to pay taxes (Matthew 2:21, Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17) and follow other laws not in contradiction to God's law.

Political Positions

Republicans generally support lower taxes across the board in order to stimulate the economy. Spending on national defense is usually a Republican priority.  Republicans are not immune to the allure of spending money on unneeded projects to gain political points with constituents ("pork barrel spending").

Democrats generally support progressive tax structures that collect a higher percentage of income for those at higher income levels, in order to fund more expansive government programs.  To stimulate the economy, Democrats will usually push through more spending to "prime the pump".  Democrats are also not immune to the temptation to engage in pork barrel spending.

Conclusion

There is no simple answer to the question of how a Christian should vote. One thing is certain, and that is that Christians should vote and should do so with a Christian worldview. Understand God's standards for us and evaluate how your vote can best support God's priorities.

Even more importantly, pray! (Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) Pray for the country, for each of the candidates, and for those in office (1 Timothy 2:1-4).  Pray for God's will to be worked out here on earth (Matthew 6:9-13). Pray for the salvation of nonbelievers and for the courage of believers.