Community Christian Church
  • Home
  • About
    • We Believe
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Prayer Requests
    • Assistance Resources
  • Events
  • Sermons
    • Current Series
    • Guest Sermons
    • Sermon Archives
    • Live
  • From Tyler's Desk
  • Links
  • Donate
Picture

George Washington's Farewell Address and the Role of Religion in Politics

10/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
In a recent conversation with a doctor about religion and politics, he said to me that God doesn’t want us to love only those who are “on our side.” We are to serve faithfully all who are in need, and the truest extent of Christ’s love is shown when we still love and serve those with whom we disagree. The problem is that quite often we are quick to write people off as unworthy of our love. He then noted that God is neither Republican nor Democrat.
 
American culture and politics these days seems so volatile and violent, so extremely polarizing, with people vehemently and angrily on one side or the other. Followers of Christ sometimes get sucked into this volatility when they assume that in order to be a “proper committed Christian” you must be on the side of conservatism and the Republicans. It would be an error to think that nobody who is Democrat with liberal tendencies could possibly be a Christian. Believe it or not, God is Lord of members of both political parties.

This raises a question in my mind: “What is the role of Christian faith in politics? Is there one? Should religion and politics ever mix?” In a recent on-line newsletter I subscribe to, called The American Patriot’s Daily Almanac, by Bill Bennett and John T.E. Cribb, a portion of President George Washington’s farewell address was discussed. I found it very interesting that the first President of the United States understood the important role of religion in our nation, and that he saw clearly how it makes a difference not only in the lives of citizens, but also those who lead us.
 
The newsletter noted that in a world still ruled by kings, President George Washington’s decision to not seek a third term clearly signaled that the United States would be governed by the people, not any ruler-for-life. Washington’s Farewell Address –    really an open letter to the American people – appeared in newspapers on September 19, 1796. The president reminded his fellow citizens that national strength rests on the pillars of private morality, especially religion. The word he used to describe those pillars of American democracy is not “optional” or “desirable” or “helpful”; it is “indispensable.”
 
Here is an excerpt from Washington’s farewell address: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. ’Tis substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?”
 
I understand that in a religiously pluralistic culture such as what we live in today, one might ask, “But whose religion and morality should we follow?” Others believe that there is no place whatsoever for religion in politics or anything public. It seems that America is experimenting with all sorts and kinds of religion and morality, non-religion and immorality; and trying to embrace them all as if all beliefs are equal and equally good. I get it that this becomes a complicated thing to figure out, nevertheless, as a follower of the God we read of in the Bible, I recognize that the Christian principles presented in the message of the Gospel lead to life that flourishes, both now and in eternity. And when Washington states in his farewell address that religion and morality are indispensable supports to political prosperity, he’s thinking of religion and morality as proclaimed in the Bible…and that’s the kind of pillar that can support and guide anyone well, whether Democrat or Republican.
 
Working together with you to influence our culture for Jesus,
 
Tyler

0 Comments

    Archives

    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

​Facebook

Contact

​Subscribe

Watch

Blog


VISIT 400 E. State Street (M-21), St. Johns
CALL (989) 224-6421

JOIN US!

SUNDAY
​

9:00 am
​1st Worship Gathering
10:00 am
Adult & Children's Bible Study
​11:00 am
2nd Worship Gathering
WEDNESDAY

6:00 pm
Kingdom Kids  (K-5th)
​& Adult Bible Study
SUNDAY

5:00 pm
Journey

(​6th-12th)
​Youth Group
  • Home
  • About
    • We Believe
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Prayer Requests
    • Assistance Resources
  • Events
  • Sermons
    • Current Series
    • Guest Sermons
    • Sermon Archives
    • Live
  • From Tyler's Desk
  • Links
  • Donate