Are you a “Republangelical”?
I have noticed an increasing trend as the “Christian Right” and evangelical movement in America has become increasingly political.
It all started with a “good” idea; to get Christians more involved in polictics to help reverse some of the immoral laws and agendas of the “liberals”.
But what have Christians sacrificed in their attempt to gain political influence?
As a former die-hard conservative republican (and admittedly still conservative) I have a lot of thoughts on the matter.
But my views have changed a bit since I was 18 and could first vote.
My main concern now is that many Christians have lost their identity in Christ and have replaced it with an identity in a political party or movement that may adhere to certain Christian principles but is no substitute for the relationship with God.
As I found myself questioning certain statements by conservatives that seemed to lack grace, or love, or a godly motivation, I started to change my persepctive a bit.
I would hear things like, “Let’s just drop the bomb over there and be done with it” (referring to the middle east)
Or, “We just need to round up all the people living on the streets and put them in safe houses, or jail.”
Or, “I don’t care what people do behind closed doors, just don’t try to put your politics on me.” - I mean, really? We don’t care about the person corrupted by sin? We just don’t want to be bothered by their politics?
So I will ask you the same questions…
Do you ever feel more devoted to a political party than your church?
Do you feel more comfortable discussing politics or God?
Have you ever made a “moral” argument on the basis of “what makes sense, statistically” rather than “what the Bible says about…”?
I have coined the term Republangelical to refer to people whose lines are so crossed that they could not imagine a seperation between their political persuasion and their faith. I aim to challenge that notion and believe that our faith should drive our politial convictions, but be completely unaffected by ANY political movement.
Are you first a Christian or a “Conservative”?
Disclaimer: in the interest of full disclosure, I must admit, I still vote republican. Although not always for the same reasons that Fox news might tell me to ;-)
