Super Tuesday

I recently stumbled upon the following quotes in the Christian Century, a wonderful bi-weekly magazine I receive. I thought they would be appropriate to share on such a super political day.

"The last thing Americans need is a loony debate over whether it is more important to choose the first woman or the first African-American president." -New York Times editorial 1/17

Mike Huckabee was recently quoted in the December edition of the New Republic saying: "People asked when I ran for office in Arkansas if all the Baptists were active in my campaign. I said, 'Everyone of them were active. Half for me, half against me, but they were all active."

I am totally interested in how this Presidential contest will turn out this year, not only because I feel our country is in need of change in its top leadership, but because the role religion has played thus far. Political commentators love talking about the "evangelical voters" and "conservative Christians." Huckabee still seems to be in the race because of his appeal to those who vote based strictly on moral issues. Obama and Clinton love campaigning at churches and talking about their own sense of faith. John McCain seems to being advised to appeal more to Conservative voters-- many of whom are southern conservative Christians.

What I hate, however, is when people of Christian faith are all lumped together as if we vote vote together simply based on our stands on abortion, same sex marriage and other related issues. I really don't like when religious events are turned into political ones. Candidates politicizing at church functions seems really wrong to me.

Maybe this is why I am a Baptist. One of our historic principles defining our existence has been separation of church and state. We have been people (minus our poor showing in recent times) who have believed it is important for religious expression to exist in a realm of its own. We know how wrong the tide can turn when religion is used for the manipulation of political ideologies, so generally we stay out of political talk.

However, I am a pastor who loves politics. (Kevin and I have become CNN junkies of late). But, I'm not going to tell you how I'm voting because of how important I feel church and state separation is. I never want my position of religious leadership to be mixed in with a political position. But this won't keep me from cheering you on to get out and vote. The things that matter to us as people of faith do matter to the political world. It is up to us to think, pray and vote appropriately. I look forward to voting in Maryland on Feb. 12th!

Happy Super Tuesday!