When politics becomes your religion

[Michie]

I bet you think this could never happen to you.

C. S. Lewis, in a book written over 80 years ago — The Screwtape Letters — talked about the dangers of letting politics become your religion. Lewis put the following words in the mouth of his professorial devil-uncle who was instructing a nephew on one way to wreck his human target:

“Let [your patient] begin by treating … Patriotism or Pacifism as part of his religion. Then let him, under the influence of partisan spirit, come to regard it as the most important part. Then quietly and gradually nurse him on to the stage at which the religion becomes merely part of the ‘cause,’ in which Christianity is valued chiefly because of the excellent arguments it can produce.”

Think that could ever be you one day? Or even today?

I hope not because you’ll be miserable when it occurs. But sadly, at least on the surface, it seems to be happening a lot right now.

Too many professing Christians on both sides of the political aisle seem to be convinced that they’re in the midst of a human life-and-death, global-existential battle, and if the other side (God forbid!) wins, the result will be certain cataclysmic destruction on a national level. Sovereignty of God be, um, “darned.”

Continued below.

When politics becomes your religion

I bet you think this could never happen to you

www.christianpost.com

 

[okay]

I like this article. I’m guessing we should all regularly check ourselves in this way. I am convinced that it can be very dangerous when people sincerely believe God is on their side politically and that people with different views are against God.

It is also clearly true that as the church declines (at least in the US) people of all stripes are transferring their religiosity to politics, sports, etc. A political rally or sporting event can have some aspects of a worship service.

Early in the article it used the phrase ‘woke left’, so I thought it would be just another one-sided article from that site. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[jas3]

Too many professing Christians on both sides of the political aisle seem to be convinced that they’re in the midst of a human life-and-death, global-existential battle, and if the other side (God forbid!) wins, the result will be certain cataclysmic destruction on a national level.

It's true that this line of thinking is an error in nearly all cases, and that too many people make politics a key part of their identity when it comes to material wellbeing. But I would point out that in the particular case of the issue of abortion, it actually is a human life-and-death issue.

 

[okay]

It's true that this line of thinking is an error in nearly all cases, and that too many people make politics a key part of their identity when it comes to material wellbeing. But I would point out that in the particular case of the issue of abortion, it actually is a human life-and-death issue.

I don’t think we want to turn this into an abortion debate, but I would like to point out that for many Christians this is not such a black and white issue.

My parents always subscribed to Christianity Today, and I recall asking my mom about it when I was still at home. She said she liked it because it acknowledged the scope of faithful Christianity. She specifically mentioned an old issue on abortion that had included thoughtful, respectful articles from Christians with different perspectives that helped her understand how and why faithful Christians could have different opinions than she did. It didn’t change her mind but did help her be more humble and not judge those with different opinions.

I think we need more public forums where people with different understandings can disagree with grace, humility and curiosity. It just doesn’t happen very often. It might help remind us the God isn’t on my side and against others with different views.

And I should first look at my own behavior to see how I can do better on this. Heaven knows I am not perfect!

Edit: I should add that my parents had different views on abortion, but they still had a strong, loving, Christ-centered marriage. They could even joke about canceling each other’s vote at the polls sometimes, despite having their own strong convictions.

 

[Ignatius the Kiwi]

In a time of increased polarization where lines of ideological difference become entrenched he'd people will naturally be more invested in politics.

This seems to me entirely natural and we should not fall into the trap of thinking neutrality is necessarily the correct answer.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again. Jesus didn't say to go make Republicans (or Democrats, or any other political label) of all nations. But there are a lot of Christians who act as if He did.

 

[public hermit]

If your political position is your identity, faith, and hope, then it is basically functioning as your religion. Is that a bad thing? I don't think it's a moral issue so much as an existential one. Some people are not finding meaning, identity, faith, and hope in the traditional ways. I think that tendency says more about church/religion than it does about politics.

 

[godisagardener]

Politicians have become rock stars. Their conventions and rallies have become concerts. When churched people become attracted to such, they end up bringing it into the churches, which then become platforms for politics. The world is brought into the church. I'm not saying it's all bad, discussion is important, but it shouldn't overshadow Christian faith and biblical studies (though there's a lot of politics in the Bible!).

There are several members in my church that talk politics the minute they walk through the door. That's not what I'm there for, not why I attend church services and Bible studies. Politics has it's place, buy we shouldn't become slaves to it.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

Politicians have become rock stars. Their conventions and rallies have become concerts. When churched people become attracted to such, they end up bringing it into the churches, which then become platforms for politics. The world is brought into the church. I'm not saying it's all bad, discussion is important, but it shouldn't overshadow Christian faith and biblical studies (though there's a lot of politics in the Bible!).

There are several members in my church that talk politics the minute they walk through the door. That's not what I'm there for, not why I attend church services and Bible studies. Politics has it's place, buy we shouldn't become slaves to it.

You're so right. It deeply distresses me to go to church and hear more passionate discussion about this or that politician than about my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm there to hear about Him, not all those other people.

 

[Michie]

It’s just ick. It always makes the term (sheeple) come to mind.

 

[rocknanchor]

Unimpressed with the article’s content, esp. , ,

“… the nature of politics, , is to grow in importance to where it dictates your deepest hopes and fears. Left unchecked, it will claim your ultimate allegiance.”​

​

“For Christians, at that point, you’re now committing idolatry.”​

Really, the "nature" is Idolatry? Nice, God’s will has now turned into “idolatry”. Talk about losing one’s way. I prefer to address the root here, the centuries-old spiritual insolence for God’s “Minister” or “Servant” of civility (Rom 13:4) which, like it or not is His good and wholesome choice of how to view civil authority. Never to be reduced to idolatry. That is carnality as thought “good and wholesome”. Well, sure seems to be on the forefront of conclusions!