Plague Journal (64): On political idolatry

Christians are not primarily "political animals," because for them politics is not primary. It's not where they fix their hope. I would suggest that "politics" as we know it is always corrupting. You become a supporter of a particular candidate, then a repeater of that candidate's talking points (these are the handful of carefully circumscribed themes that the candidate's handlers figure will lead to victory in the election), perhaps an influencer who urges people to go and vote (ah, yes, the importance of voting is endlessly emphasized) for the preferred candidate, who in your rhetoric has become something of a transcendent figure (though he is only a man), a bringer of hope, even a man sent from God!

There is always a good deal of absurdity in all this, but it is in the nature of all kinds of false faiths to completely overlook the absurdity of it all. This phenomenon of Christians going all-in on a political candidate was never more egregiously on display than in the candidacy of Donald Trump. Charismatic Christians especially tended to depict him as a chosen one, sent from God to save the nation. When challenged, they might fall back defensively on the idea that they simply voted for him because he was the lesser evil, but since the election they have become adept at conceding no criticism, seeing no evil. Which, as I mentioned yesterday, is the tell that you are speaking to a Christian that has willfully chucked discernment into the trash, all to better honor their hero and own the libs.

In truth, there is nothing exciting about voting for the lesser evil. It fails to inspire. You become part of no grand movement, no cause, no hopeful dream of a better America. But the Christian knows, or ought to know, that in every election he or she is voting for the lesser evil. It is hard to worship at the altar of Democracy when all your choices are evil to one degree or another. But elections are the liturgical ceremony at the center of that worship, and we Christians enter there as if into the Temple of Athene. With overriding skepticism. 

I am not suggesting that Christians shouldn't vote. But neither am I suggesting that they should. In fact, thinking collectively of the electoral influence of Christians in America, I would say the results have not been encouraging. They have been less "salt and light" than shills, political apologists, and rubber-stampers. It has always proven to be a misdirection for us, a wastage and a distraction, and harmful to our primary mission. With regard to politics we have become conformed to this world instead of the next. And that is about the saddest criticism one can make of the church in America.

We need to repent of our idolatry, pure and simple.