Choose Your Heresy
By Rick Parker

Heresy can be defined in theological terms as "truth gone bad". What that means generally, is heresy as we might find it at any given time in its present form, has most likely evolved from good intentions. It begins in religion as perhaps a single truth within the doctrine or practice of the church. But then, certain people may find that one truth to be so important to their belief it begins to define their faith. After a long period of time, and a general obsession with this "truth", it becomes not only an element of faith, but nearly faith itself. In essence it moves from the outer rays of the spiritual truth from which it stems into the inner sanctum, thus becoming the center of one's faith rather than a sign of one's faith. This too can happen in politics, and even more so, when politics converge with religion.

We all have our issues that might take us away from the center, so the question is, "What's yours?" Do your religious issues take you from the center of secular government and into the realm of theocracy? Or do your politics reduce your religion to passive dualism? This is why church and state need to remain separate. I'm still trying to figure out why so many people think "bringing prayer back into school" will fix so many things. First off, no one ever threw prayer out of school. It is not against the law to pray in school. It is not however, a public school's right or duty to promote or propagate a religious faith or denomination. It sounds real lovable for Christians to say we have to bring the "Lamb" back to school, but this is a free and diverse society and the schools belong to the government. Therefore, the government cannot sanction a particular religious stance. Why can't people understand that? Another irony is there are Christians out there who think if you don't agree with this you're not a Christian. Since when does Christianity make it its business to play government. I don't recall Jesus ever doing that in all my readings (and that's a lot). In fact he remained quite separate from it.

Essentially, when someone wants to make it legal for a government to allow a public institution to espouse a particular religion they are asking for a theocratic authoritarian government--period. So, like I say, pick your heresy. If this is your thing, admit it. If you don't want to be accused of theocratic authoritarianism then realize no one said you can't pray in school and show respect for those who don't share your beliefs. The bottom line on this one, is prayer needs to be brought back into the house. Only then can it have its affect on life at school.

The Church has a role in this, but its role is not to be out trying to legislate morality to a secular society. Its role is the same it's always been--be God's people here on earth. Be a community whose light shines out from within and it will draw people to it. There is where it can have its affect on society. Instead, most of the time the Church builds barriers and subjugates people. The church has become like a preacher who neglects his family while he goes out to save the world. One day the preacher will return home and find his family in worse shape than the world he set out to conquer.

This also goes for gun control and the death penalty. I'm confounded at the amount of "Christians" who make this a big part of their political platform. I don't have a problem with folks who are for gun ownership and I can understand some of their arguments for the death penalty, but you simply cannot justify this as "Christian" politics. Without exception there is no room for either beliefs in the teachings of Christ--none. Pulling out Old Testament references on this one won't cut it. Christianity is a New Testament faith. You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you were Jewish or Muslim perhaps you could use your faith as an excuse. I'm not saying you can't be a Christian if you hold these beliefs, you just can't pass off your political position as "Christian". You have to come to terms with the inconsistency. If you think you can prove me wrong, go back and read the teachings of Christ. Again, pick your heresy. If you think adding more guns to society helps protect citizens then that's fine, but don't mix it up with Christian faith. Accept the inherently non-Christian reality of it. Capital punishment is the same thing. If that's your point-of-view, that's okay, but don't even think Christ would back you up.

It is my Christian theology that leads me to the way I vote, just like any conservative's might be. However, if the battleground becomes that of Christian principals most modern "neo-cons" are skating on thin ice. A true Christian society would have no guns, no death penalty and no part in a secular government. It would make sure no one starved under any condition. And a Christian (being like Christ) would reject no one from his/her presence, and accept them for who they are, rather than trying to force assimilation upon them. Like it or not, the early Christian Church was all about the redistribution of wealth. Our society has become so "reward" oriented we can't see it any other way. Our feeling that we deserve everything we work for and those who work less deserve less has burned within us so deep we can no longer look at humanity as anything less than a "workforce". Every human being deserves to be treated with dignity--every one. We are as hardened to understanding these things today as it was for the field workers in Jesus' parable: Matthew 20:1-16.

My challenge to any voter who professes Christianity is to ask themselves seriously, "How would Jesus vote?" It may sound trite, but if you lay passionate claims to Christian belief it is a very serious question. God is in my house, and as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. A well run Christian society doesn't need governmental help--it never has. Face it, even the most "spiritual" among us in this society are pluralistic. Choose your heresy and live with it--or if you dare--be a real Christian. Then see how long you'll last. It took the religious conservatives of his day only three years to trap, and see to it that the secular government would have Christ crucified.

Cheers,
Rick