Should believers remain in or out of politics? – InForum

In choosing the topic for my podcast, Matters of Soulful Importance, I relied on G. K. Chesterton, who, when warned that we should never discuss religion or politics in polite company, replied that these are the only topics worth discussing .

I consider religion primary and politics necessary. It also baffles me when “non-religious” people argue that religious people should abstain from political participation. People are religious by nature, including non-believers, since we all believe in and idolize something.

Believers are obliged to take part in politics. Those who argue otherwise misunderstand public discourse in a civilized society.

I would go further and say that Christians are especially needed in this discourse. In The Dispatch’s article, “Why Politically Active Christians Are Good for Our Politics,” Daniel Darling recalls that as Christianity gained ground in the Roman Empire, so did government persecution of believers. However, these marginalized Christians stood out “not only for their unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, but also for their countercultural ethic of human dignity.”

Darling referred to Clement of Rome from the late 1st century.^st. An age that called on Christians to “do good and give honor and respect to man, created in the image of God,” citing Christ’s command to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, show hospitality to strangers, and visit prisoners—demands that remain valid and, if followed, are beneficial everyone.

“From the beginning, Christian charity stood in stark contrast to the charity of the Greeks and Romans,” Darling continues, citing historian Gary B. Ferngren: “The Church demonstrated a clear philanthropic imperative, showing both personal and corporate concern for those in physical need (such as in Acts 6:1-6).

In “Letter to Diognetus” 2^nd The apologist of the century sums up the Christian position towards the world by saying that Christians are to the world what the soul is to the body. Or, as Darling puts it, “Christians were supposed to be the ‘soul’ of society, even with little power.”

The question is not so much whether Christians should engage in politics, he argues, but how, citing the words of St. Peter: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you the reason for your hope, but do so with tenderness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15-6) Peter also says, “Honor the King, but fear God,” meaning, Darling adds, our political activism should be limited to our core commitment to Christ.

Darling emphasizes the loss that would be felt by the entire society if Christians were removed from politics, citing leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., William Wilberforce, and Susan B. Anthony. “The Founders,” he said, “realized that the American experiment in ordered liberty was enriched by a strong Christianity.”

While people of faith are imperfect, Darling concludes, the alternative—politics devoid of sober Christian witness—will not make the country we love better.

Walk up to the ballot box on Tuesday as if lives depended on the results, because many do. But remember also the true winner is not Trump or Harris, but only God.