The politics of religion

While many are celebrating the reason for their faith, it is a good time to consider what influence faith has on their politics. Some of you, like me, have given a lot of thought to aligning the party and policies you support with the principal tenets of your faith, while many care little about aligning them.

We are fortunate to live in a country with the freedom of religion which has made us a more civilized and compassionate nation. It helped end the moral evil of slavery, pass child labor laws, protect our natural resources, give women and minorities equal standing under the Constitution.

Compare that to Iran and Afghanistan where religion is the politics, or the opposite under communism with no influence of religion, or humanity as displayed by Putin’s Russia. We are fortunate to have been led by democratically elected men (with one exception) and women whose faith and commitment to democracy has guided our country to greatness.

That is now threatened by anti-democratic forces from within, by the hatred, antisemitism, bigotry, homophobia, xenophobia, and misogyny spread by right-wing media and internet sites which embolden anti-government militias and lead to acts of violence.

We must stand firmly for the democratic principles of our Constitution, for the rule of law and the ideal of, “one person-one vote” and reexamine our faith to guide us in choosing our leaders. I don’t know about you, but as for me, I will be guided by Mathew 25:31-46.

Larry Hodgden

Tipton