Defending Christian Participation in the Civic arena
The Colson Center has developed a great page to help Christians respond to questions often asked in order to dismiss our views. Topics range from politics to economics to gender. Please go to their website -What Would You Say? to see all they have to offer on government and other issues.
Below are situations where people may try to prevent you from exercising your christian beliefs in the civic arena. Below are some examples on how to share when told:
- Separation of church and state.
- Christians should focus on evangelism
- You vote won't matter so don't
What Would You Say?
Should Christians Vote
You’re in a conversation and someone says, “Why vote? Politics are ugly, and God is sovereign no matter who is in office.”
What would you say?
It’s true that God is always in charge. Scripture is clear that nothing can ultimately derail God’s plan. But when you're wondering whether that means that voting is not important, here are three things to consider.
I Don't Like Any of Them - I'm Not Voting
You’re in a conversation and someone says, “I don’t like any of the candidates so I’m not voting.”
What would you say?
Sometimes choices in elections can be very difficult. In an ideal world, citizens would always have the chance to vote between really great people, and choose the one they agree with in every way.
Often, however, citizens do not have that option. But that doesn’t mean they should just throw away their ballots, and here are three reasons why:
1. A vote doesn’t always mean “I think they’re great.” It may just mean “I think they’re better.”
2. Vote for the best policies.
3. Vote for the best team.
What Does “Separation of Church and State” Mean?
You’re in a conversation about church and politics and someone says “The Separation of Church and State means churches shouldn’t talk about political issues.”
What Would You Say?
The next time you hear someone say that the Separation of Church and State protects government from religious people and religious ideas, remember these three things:
1. The “Separation of Church and State” isn’t in the Constitution.
2. The Constitution protects the church from the state, not the State from the Church.
3. In public debates all ideas and all people are welcome. Even religious ones.
Christians Should Avoid Politics and Focus on Evangelism
You’re in a conversation and someone says, “Government can’t change the human heart. So Christians should avoid politics and focus on evangelism.”
What Would You Say?
It’s true that the goal of the gospel is change people’s hearts, not just their behavior. It is also true that government is not the most effective way to reach someone’s heart. Does this mean that God wants us to stay away from what happens in government and focus only on evangelism? No. And here are three reasons why.
First, God created government.
Second, Civic stewardship does not require neglect of the gospel.
Third, Apathy is not the solution to idolatry.
My Vote Won’t Make a Difference
You’re in a conversation and someone says, “My vote doesn’t make a difference, so I’m not voting.”
What would you say?
137 million people voted in the 2016 election. That’s a lot of people. One vote, out of 137 million, doesn’t seem likely to make a difference, does it? But is that a good reason not to vote? No. And here are three reasons why:
First, in local elections, a single vote matters a lot.
Second, when lots of people decide their vote doesn’t matter, it makes a big difference. Elections are decided by who shows up.
Third, voting is an act of stewardship.