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Dahn,

Please indulge me for a little while longer. I'd like to add another comment regarding your statement about the hypocrisy of mixing religion and politics.  I must make the point again that if we're talking merely about religion and politics, then I agree with you.  On the other hand, if we're talking about genuine faith and politics, then my views are different.  By faith here, I mean a life-changing belief and trust in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ that leads one to surrender his/her life to the guidance and control of His Spirit.  Faith for others might mean something else, but this is what I mean when I use the word.

Fundamental fact: politics affects us all, whether we have or lack faith.  It is therefore our duty to be politically engaged.  As people of faith, our values and outlook on life and society are molded and fashioned by our faith and Biblical principles.  If we were to completely divorce our faith from the politics of our society or workplace, we would not be true to ourselves and our God.  We would then be surrendering ourselves to a system that might not necessarily share our values and faith.  To make sure that society represents our values, we must become involved.  Becoming involved does not mean that we cease being who we are, which we would do if we left our faith out of our politics.

Who we are is that we are disciples of Jesus Christ.  As such, we are mandated to uphold and live up to His teachings.  Our manner of life must reflect Him.  If our political system and values do not reflect Him, then we must work to change them.

I hope I am now clearer on this position.

Take care,

- Wilmot

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