Category: Politics

Despite my fierce opposition to the Huckabee campaign, there is still something refreshing about “religion” being brought back to politics. When he mentions that the real meaning of Christmas is Christ’s birth, I cannot but giggle religiously. But then I come back to my senses. Jimmy Carter ran in 1976 as a born-again Democrat and for the first time in decades made religion a central theme in a political campaign. Naive Christians flocked to his support only to find out they had been betrayed by his anti-Christian agenda. My fear, of course, is that it may be happening all over again. Every Republican candidate–with the exception of Mitt Romney (a Mormon) and Rudy Giuliani (a Catholic)- claims to be a born-again Christian. Some tout their Christianity like Huckabee, others are a bit more cautious (like Ron Paul). Let me be forthright: I am a theonomist in the tradition of Gary North and R.J. Rushdoony. I believe firmly in a free-market economy, but reject any notion that God is not part of the equation in the end of the day. I reject full Libertarianism, which favors euthanasia and abortion on demand. These political heretics have helpful commentary to offer, (even heretics make sense sometimes) but their worldview is warped with a fascination for human autonomy. Any form of libertarianism that denies the existence of God as the source of wealth, prosperity, and freedom is doomed to ultimate failure. This is a point Chirstian Libertarian Howard Phillips made decades ago and still makes to this day.

All this to say that religion, Christian religion, is accepted in the political arena–despite Chris Matthews’ future heart attack when talking about this issue–and should not be rejected by anyone. Political debates in 18th century America used the words “God” and “providence” so many times that should there have been an ACLU, their members would have worked 80 hours a week without vacation days. The Christian libertarian is frustrated, not so much because they despise religion in the public square, but because religion has been abused. Christians are so gullible for an evangelical figure-head in the White House that it appears they have forgotten their past betrayals. Have they forgotten Jimmy Carter? Have they forgotten Pat Robertson’s perfidy of Christians with his support of a thrice divorced Rudolph Giuliani or their full responsibility in re-electing George W. Bush in 2004 only to discover–surprise!–that he has abandoned any Constitutional or Biblical ideals? Evangelical Christians have a short memory. It is possible that they may elect another Bush-like to the White House. Then what? Will they cry again after taxing increases? After our military expands beyond the already 130 countries? After illegal immigration becomes the norm in this nation? After Pastor Huckabee imposes his health diet on all Americans? As Ron Paul once stated, “when you lose your liberty for the sake of security you end up losing both.”  At this point in American History, we still have not learned our lesson.

Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is to speak at Pastor John Hagee’s Cornerstone Church in San Antonio. John Hagee has been a fanatic opponent of Catholicism and Islam. Hagee recently denied that Jesus came to be Messiah. After receiving numerous complaints, he attempted to re-interpret his own words. True or not, Hagee has been a liability in the evangelical world. While Huckabee has the right to speak wherever he pleases, his visit to John Hagee’s congregation demonstrates that there is much more in common between the two than anyone may imagine. It is more of an alliance than a mere speaking engagement. If anyone believes that Bush’s foreign policy is malicious and dangerous, wait until a Huckabee administration takes over with Hagee’s voice in the background. God forbid!

Politicians who run in Jesus’ name run this one risk: compromising Jesus’ name. Politicians like Huckabee entered the race as a Baptist minister and now expects to minimize the importance of his theology when he is pushed to the corner. It is easy to deny evolution when you are second-tier candidate, but why can you not deny it now as a serious contender for the nomination, what has changed? Coulter well describes the compromising instances of Mike Huckabee.

If the mainstream media are burning with curiosity about what critics of Darwinism have to say, how about asking me? I can name any number of mathematicians, scientists and authors who have also rejected Darwin’s discredited theory and would be happy to rap with them about it.

Mike Huckabee’s new ad featuring what appears to be a cross on the background (though it is not a cross, it is intended to look like one) speaks to the core of the American Republic. He has the right under “free speech” to present his campaign platform in whatever way he desires. Is Huckabee justified in proclaiming his Christianity in the political arena? Absolutely. It is his faith. A man’s faith must never be divorced from his convictions about life. Huckabee has claimed before that his faith will inform his decisions. It should be no other way. In this sense, I truly endorse Governor Huckabee. However, it is the application of this faith that betrays the very faith he proclaims. According to Huckabee, his faith will lead him to expand the military and pursue more wars around the world for some unknown agenda. According to Huckabee’ s Christianity, government will play a more significant role in the education of all children. Further, his Christianity leads him to step on the nation’s confession: The Constitution, which limits the government (Article I section 8). His tax increases, his support for illegal immigration (scholarships and welfarism) leads to no other alternative, but that Huckabee is using his faith for an ungodly reason. His appeal to social conservatives stem from his supposed religious superiority. The uniqueness of American politics is that even liberals who could care less about Christ and his Lordship can claim Christianity as their own. Liberals use Christianity to advocate welfarism, government intervention, and socialism. Republicans, on the other hand, are no less guilty. They use their faith to espouse militarism overseas. They pride in their defense of Israel, as if it is a God-given mandate to defend those who deny Messiah. They ridicule Islam’s apocalypticism, while advocating their own version with spokesman John Hagee. They will use their faith to say that the Republican Party is the party of God, therefore we are to compromise our values and support a pro-choice candidate if necessary. Republicans and Democrats are to be less Christianesque about their politicking. It is perfectly legitimate to pray as a politician, partake of Christ’s body in the Sacraments, worship with God’s people, and when asked about faith, give a legitimate and uncompromising answer, but please do not bring Christ into politics for political points. God is not mocked.

My friend opines rightly about Sean Hannity’s delirious support for the Republican Neo-Cons, no matter if the tables are turned. Steve Wolters writes:

I found it interesting that Mr. Hannity was attempting to legitimize the practice of flip-flopping in the political arena. Of course, this is due to the fact that the majority of the Republican candidates, with one or two exceptions, has been changing positions and talking out of every side of their mouth. And his only apologetic for these men running for president in 2008 was that at least they haven’t flipped and flopped as much as Hillary Clinton.

Is that the measuring stick that we are going to have to use in the upcoming election? Are these really people we want leading our nation? Do we want people who only have a position for political gain, and then will flippantly change with the crowd? Don’t we want someone who is strong on principle, standing strong on the values of the founding of this nation? When did this behavior suddenly become legitimate? I am truly grieved.

Once again, integrity out, political expediency in.