So I think I had already talked about this but I keep coming back to a certain thing I read on social media. Was it FB? Can’t remember. Anyway, the writer was giving advice to some American Christians (Evangelical I must presume). He said something to the effect…

“When evangelizing someone, you don’t need to worry about trying to get them to change their political affiliation. Just focus on the gospel message– as they grow in their faith they will naturally become more conservative.”

I don’t remember his name, so I will call him Fred. So here are my questions:

1. Who was Fred talking to? Were there people sharing the gospel with others, all the while fretting about who they will vote for in the next election cycle? I suspect the answer is a resounding YES. I have had Christians seek to evangelize me, and when I let them know that I am a “born again follower of Christ,” they barely stop long enough to take a breath before trying to make sure I stop being my type of Christian and start being their type of Christian. Considering how many Americans identify their faith in terms of their political affiliation, I can certainly imagine that this person has a potentially large audience.
2. Why would Fred believe that a person growing in faith will definitely gain a conservative (using this vague term in a very American political manner) perspective? I have been a Christian for over 5 decades. I am not sure how rich and deep my faith is. However, I do know that I started out fairly conservative politically. As time went on, however,  I became more nuanced in my thinking to the point that I don’t see being a follower of Christ aligning very well with EITHER a conservative or liberal agenda. In my view the ideal political perspective would be something like semi-libertarian pro-democracy anti-partisan. If others disagree? No worries. Good people can disagree on things. But thinking about Fred’s statement, I think the resolution is in the third question?
3. Is it possible that what Fred is really saying is that the new believer will tend to become more conservative politically as he or she acculturates in a local church to embraces a certain political message in its preaching and discipleship? I can understand that. I have certainly attended a church or two where a certain political agenda was promoted. Frankly, these sorts of churches were part of the process leading me to being politically independent, and eventually to being anti-partisan. However, my ability to shed off the pressure came, I suspect, partly because I was raised in the church. For a young believer, they may feel a strong need to conform– especially when the line between the essentials and non-essentials of being a Christian are kept murky.

Sadly when more and more junk is added to what defines a good Christian, the message of Christ becomes more and more unclear. For example, what if one believes the following syllogism: Christians are supposed to be politically conservative and conservatives are supposed to be anti-immigrant, and so Christians are supposed to be anti-immigrant. Does this make sense? I would argue that it makes no sense on any level. Christians do NOT HAVE to be political conservatives. Of course. Conservatives do NOT HAVE to be anti-immigrant. Even back when I would describe myself as a conservative, I was pro-immigrant. And most importantly, if one is a faithful follower of Jesus, should one be anti-immigrant? I feel the correct response is “Horrors No!” Of course, some such Christians would say that they are not against immigrants, but only illegal immigrants. I guess my response, as someone who spent several months as an illegal immigrant, would be that perhaps a devout follower of Christ should align with illegal aliens as well.

I hope that the growth of the religion that seems best described as Americanisn or maybe Churchianity, may lead more to wonder whether their view of God and good is obscured by their church.