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Survey:
Most Americans Say Christians Not Too Involved in Politics
Most Americans
don't believe Christians are too involved in politics, according to a
new survey which challenged common media portrayals that say otherwise.
The survey released Wednesday by LifeWay Research found that 52 percent
of Americans disagreed with the statement, "I am concerned that at
times Christians are too involved in politics." Less than half, 44
percent, somewhat or strongly agreed with the statement.
An even smaller minority of those who attend religious services at
least weekly don't hold the perception that Christians are too
embroiled in politics. Only 21 percent of religiously affiliated
persons said they believe Christians at times are too politically
involved.
Born-again, evangelical or fundamentalist Americans were most likely to
strongly disagree with the claim that Christians are too involved in
politics with 72 percent indicating disapproval.
"These results do no surprise me at all," said Richard Land, president
of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, which commissioned
the survey as a joint project with LifeWay. "They underscore and
reinforce the feedback I get on a consistent basis from grassroots
Christians of all perspectives, particularly conservative Christians
– Catholic and Protestant."
Land went on to say that the survey results are in line with history
and how people of faith have engaged political issues that have a
"moral component."
"Perhaps the most dramatic examples of religiously motivated movements
generated in reaction to grave social injustice are the Abolitionist
Movement against human bondage and the Civil Rights Movement in
opposition to segregation and racial injustice," Land said. "The
Abolitionist and the Civil Rights Movements are not explicable or
comprehensible apart from the religiously motivated outrage that
created them, the religious leaders who led them and the religious
supporters who made possible their eventual triumph."
The prominent Southern Baptist leader encouraged participation in
politics, arguing that people of faith have an obligation to be
involved in the process and to do so in a principled, issue-oriented
fashion.
"We should be voting our values, beliefs and convictions based upon our
understanding of the imperatives of our faith," he commented.
Christians, particularly pastors, have been urged by conservative
evangelical groups during the 2008 presidential election year to remove
their muzzles and speak on political issues and even present overviews
of candidates' positions.
Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, Alliance Defense Fund,
Concerned Women for America, and the James Madison Center for Free
Speech issued a letter – "Constitutional Protections for Pastors:
Your Freedom to Speak Biblical Truth on the Moral Issues of the Day"
– to pastors nationwide in October informing them of their right
to speak on politically-related issues.
"[I]n regards to public policy, it is a both/and, not either/or," said
Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research. "You cannot stand for justice
and be told you cannot speak of Jesus, nor can you love God and His
Word and not care for unborn children, the abused and social justice."
Stetzer, however, advised against crafting an informal alliance with a single political party.
"Christians need to speak prophetically to all parties, not be beholden
to one," he said. "If evangelicals are seen as a voting bloc of the
Republican Party, I am concerned. If Christians are told to leave their
faith outside the public square, I am more concerned."
Survey results are based on the response of over 1,200 Americans who were polled April 10-12, 2008.
Christian Post
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