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Religion & Politics...Odd Bedfellows?
by Sylvia Cochran - Staff Writer
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In 1997, Hillary Clinton was quoted in the Richmond Times-Dispatch as having said: “I have to confess that it's crossed my mind that you could not be a Republican and a Christian.” More recently, Catholic Archbishop Burke of St. Louis made a case for denying communion to Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and other democratic politicians because of their stand on abortion.

It is immaterial whether one is conservative or liberal. No matter where a Christian finds themselves, it has become obvious that God’s name and favor are invoked regularly in modern-day politics. While this is nothing new, it does bring to the forefront the level of adherence to the fundamentals of one’s faith that many a politician has deserted in an effort to serve both God and thier constituents.

So what is a member of the clergy to do? Withhold communion? Refuse sacraments to those who are acting in opposition to the tenets of their faith? Does a man of the cloth even have a right to sit in this judgment seat, or should this be a seat reserved for God Himself?

Transcending the humanistic attitude of modern America, we must remember that the teachings of the Bible are timeless and not subject to man’s changing interpretations. Scripture teaches us that as Christians, we must watch our lives and doctrine closely, and must persevere in them. (1 Timothy 4:16) Believing in the Bible and its tenets and acting them out in every aspect of our daily lives is not optional. Hence, any politician who affiliates her/himself with Christianity, is commanded to do the same. Therefore, considering the stand of the Catholic Church on the abortion issue, it is entirely within its right to withhold the sacraments from those who do not uphold the doctrines of faith.

At the same time, it is imperative to remember that such attitudes and opinions do not spring up over night. The question is, where were those who are calling for a withholding of the sacraments when the politicians in question first formed their opinions on such matters? Who was in their lives, helping them in their daily walk with God, talking through these issues with them?

For this reason, and this reason alone, it appears that the bishops and all those calling for the refusal of sacraments have put themselves squarely in a seat in which they do not belong: the seat of judgment reserved for God alone. Their position is one of a shepherd, a watchman, (Ezekiel 3:20) who is to sound the alarm and help a Christian who finds her/himself at odds with religious doctrine to reclaim that balance of life and doctrine and help the individual to persevere, no matter the pressure s/he may be under to compromise or change. Having failed in their God-given position, such bishops and other spiritual leaders now share the guilt of the wayward politician, and the very last seat they should seek to usurp is one of judgment.

You can reach Ms. Cochran at: sylviacochran@ucd.net