Are Political and Religious Identities the Same?

There's noble, brave, unwavering, and solid.  And then there's dishonorable, unsteady, compromising, and flighty.  To many conservative Christians, county clerk Kim Davis would embody all of the former traits with her stance against issuing marriage licenses to same-sex partners. From this act she's apparently earned the reputation to have the real character of an American follower of Jesus.  She's got that grit and determination to not move an inch from her beliefs.  She's the image of standing on the Word of God.  It's political drama at it's most mediocre.

I don't think it is (or was) intentional to evoke a Tebow-esque following from the job to the jail and then back to the job.  In fact, I don't think she's taking advantage as much as others might think....but the conservative wave's pounce at opportunity is another story.  They've milked the situation so much that Mrs. Davis has reportedly changed her political affiliation from Democrat to Republican.

First, let me make clear that I fully agree with what Mrs. Davis did in regards to refusing to issue the marriage licenses.  We are in an ever-increasing time of Christian oppression via popular Western society; and that sometimes includes an non-supportive (or supportive...depending on where you stand here) federal government.  Actually, this shouldn't be the last incident we see of this type.  And I believe as people become more agitated with certain legislation they'll make the same type of move.  But what's baffling to me is why get that job back if you feel so strongly about what the job represents?  Mrs. Davis' brief stint in the county jail isn't going to change the law...unless maybe she decides to remain in jail as protest...which she wasn't willing to do...so why continue to work for the oppressive and ungodly state government?

To that question one might reply because she, everybody needs a job.  True, but I would counter that I believe she already had one waiting for her...with the Republican party (at least temporarily).  I even think she knows this, which is why I believe she and her husband made that switch; and I also believe that at this point it's less about Christianity and more about political assertiveness.

There's a general image of today's conservative as being rigidly Christian.  In fact, that perception tends to cast the liberal side as being anti-Christian completely.  Issues such as abortion, gay rights, and others are understood to be addressed by Republicans in a Christlike, founding father way.  Meanwhile, the Democrats ideologies are so current and socially appeasing that many believe they disregard biblical principles.  Both assumptions, however, are just that....assumptions.

The reality is first the founding fathers weren't as Christian as today's patriots would like to believe.  Most of the men attributed to that title (i.e. George Washington, John Adams, etc.) were more Masonic in their philosophies than Christian.  Likewise, the image of the conservative Christian is more reflective of the white Antebellum or Jim Crow Christian instead of the true New Testament one.  Their hard-line stance on American capitalism, their shunning of socialism, and their thirst for foreign conflict is by no means supported in scripture positively.  In fact, I can argue that the Kingdom of God is really an absolute monarchy; completely headed by God without any input from His population, outside of what His law allows.  Now, unlike the absolute monarchies of the past kingdoms, the Lord God rules with love, His laws make provision for dominion, advancement, and rewards, and He shares His wealth with all who come to Him through Christ.  The bottom line, though, is Christ.  So for me, no political party promotes the saving grace of Jesus enough to be seriously affiliated with.  And if Kim Davis knows and understands this (50-50 chance) and still is willing to make that move, then ladies and gentlemen meet your new and more intelligent Sarah Palin.

In the end, I hear people say all the time they "vote for Bible and not for man."  Truthfully that's never the case.  First, the United States in no way, shape, or form is having a Spirit-filled Believer as President.  The root itself of U.S. politics is compromise, so it's virtually impossible.  And even if it was, we as humans are too complex to be all Bible all the time.  And unfortunately, the public is a little too unforgiving for that.

If you see Kim Davis at the Republican National Convention...you're welcome...and enjoy the show.  But don't believe for one second that one party is more or less Christian that the other.  If you really want to vote Bible...don't vote.

Peace