Do faith and politics really mix? Should they? Could we realistically separate the two issues? Faith has always intermingled with politics. From Ronald Reagan on, presidents have ended public speeches with “God bless America.” In his inauguration, Jimmy Carter had the Bible opened to Micah 6:6–8 when he took his oath. Theological rhetoric has been woven into the campaign speeches made by President George W. Bush and other candidates. While not all people agree on what degree faith should play in the political world, it is present for all. What we believe theologically influences how we view the world, our place in it, and our role. How then do we balance our faith with the politics of the day? How do we gauge what part faith should play?
These questions and others will be addressed in the fall issue of Real Faith Real Life, “Mix It Up: Faith, Politics, and Citizenship” This edition of the We Believe curriculum for young adults will look at the issues that have emerged as faith and politics have come head-to-head. The six-session piece is written by Dr. Julia Stronks, professor of political science and director of the Murdok Lives of Commitment Project at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington. Among other projects, the Lives of Commitment Project has provided training for faculty members to teach seminars on issues of justice and faith. |
