Authentic Religion Affects Politics

In the New Testament letter of James 1:27, the Apostle reminds us that pure and genuine religion cares for widows and orphans. This teaching echoes the practical charitable exhortations of Matthew 25:40. These instructions point to a necessary connection between love of God and neighbor that manifests itself in care for the vulnerable and less fortunate.

For Christians, this connection requires faithful advocacy in the political forum of public policy. Thus, authentic Christian religion will seek to apply the values of the Gospel for the benefit of society. Such a striving will be necessarily manifested in all aspects of a Christian’s life: professional, political, social and so forth.

However, there are some who consider religion to be a purely private or merely spiritual experience of the individual. This misunderstanding can lead some to disassociate the necessary connection between personal conviction and public witness. Religion is always personal, but not private.