Religion and Politics

I normally don’t get too involved in politics, but something has my ear these days. I find it interesting that religion is such a huge part of this presidential election. What troubles me so much is that one candidate has said that his personal beliefs will guide his life, but not his presidency (if he wins). This has nothing to do with Mit Romney’s LDS theology and everything to do with his commitment to his theology.

How is one’s personal belief system going to hold sway over his/her life, especially spiritual beliefs that usually permeate one entire life, without it affecting the way they do their job? Can someone’s spiritual beliefs be put on pause, while the individual makes a decision? If it can I propose that their beliefs are not as important to them as they would like people to think.

As an exercise, lets make a list of issues our next President (whomever that may be) might encounter and see if it is possible to leave one’s personal conviction at the door.

Taxes- More or less (depends on your view of government)? Not necessarily a theological issue, but one related to one’s principle.
Homosexual rights (gay marriage)- nope
Abortion- nope
War- nope (again)
Health care-nope
Supreme Court Appointments- nope
Cabinet Appointments- nope

Here is the point. If you have a particular conviction about an issue, state it. People will either support you because they agree or won’t because they don’t. Don’t view your beliefs and convictions as a means to an end. Don’t tout yourself as a person with a particular set of values, then tell everyone you are willing to lead without those values as your guide.

Look at this way, would you vote for a person who is an out-of-the-closet racist, but swears their hate and prejudice will not influence their Presidency?

What about a pedophile?
What about a Marxist?
What about a capitalist?
What a Muslim?

My point is that you are what you are because of what you hold to be valuable, sacred and true. These convictions have guided you up to this point in your life, what leads us to believe that you are going to chuck them go without a guide. The easiest set of convictions will always fill the vacuum when other more rigorous ones are removed. A ship without a rudder crashes every time.

No wonder people are so easily persuaded by competing ideas.
No wonder people are so ready to give up on their belief when confronted by life.

I hope that whoever our next President is gets elected because of thier beliefs and values and not in spite of them. I hope this person sticks with their values and convictions through the ups and the downs. This will show that not matter what they hold as sacred, at least they are a person of integrity.