Posted on: Saturday, October 30, 2004

EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
A delusion of political 'salvation'

By Tom Schaefer

George W. Bush is not the savior of the nation. Neither is John Kerry.

Yet, if you listen to some people, you'd think that God prefers — indeed, demands — only Bush or Kerry.

In a race that has become vicious and divisive, religion has become a key element in how people are examining the two candidates.

According to a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, most Americans want politicians to address issues of faith. Well and good. But people of faith need to take stock of what they truly believe and how beliefs rightly or wrongly influence their decisions.

To put it simply — and hopefully not to be simplistic — here is how many people understand the religious nature of the two candidacies:

Bush supporters praise the way the president has expressed his evangelical faith and its importance in his life. They point to particular issues — abortion, stem-cell research and traditional marriage — as clear signs that he supports their understanding of the Bible.

Kerry supporters note that the senator follows a strong Catholic — and biblical — tradition of seeking justice for those in need and supporting principles that put the public interest before personal gain. Particular issues include healthcare for those in need, stewardship of creation and fairness in economic structures.

To be sure, both candidates address the issues highlighted by the other. And clearly, their political philosophies differ. But to insist that one or the other candidate is on the side of angels is where people of faith should fear to tread.

The mistake that many religious people make is to equate their efforts on behalf of a candidate with a godly mandate to restructure the political or social order. Neither the Democratic nor the Republican party, to name two, is ordained by God to create heaven on earth.

While Judaism, Christianity and Islam look at politics in different ways, none would assert that Bush or Kerry is establishing the rule of God on earth. Nor should it. In this country, faith can inform our political decisions, and it should. But our political system should not be structured to favor one religious group over another; neither should it seek the favor of any group.

We err if we think that by putting faith in one candidate or the other, "political salvation" will be manifest in this nation. Likewise, we err if we think Bush's re-election or Kerry's election would mean an Armageddon-like catastrophe. Both fallacies reveal a profound lack of faith in a God who encourages us to "put not your trust in princes" (Psalm 146:3).

Tom Schaefer writes about religion and ethics for the Wichita (Kan.) Eagle.