Recently several of the presidential candidates invoked the name of Jesus in support of their political positions.
The topic of Jesus and politics makes for great fodder for pundits and talk show hosts.
A local Phoenix talk show host recently asked his listeners this question: If Jesus was alive today, which party do you think he would be a member of and whom would he support in the 2008 presidential election?
My first thought was- none of the above.
A compelling argument could be made for just about any of the candidates and why they would make a good president. Religious liberals have strong reasons to elect liberal candidates and religious conservatives have strong reasons to vote for conservative candidates–no surprises there.
My candidate, though, seems to have an ability to appeal to both sides of the aisle. The candidate of whom I speak is Jesus, of course.
While it is utterly preposterous to suppose that He would return to run for president in 2008, perhaps some have forgotten that He already does rule and reign over them…if they will only let Him.
4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!
6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.(Book of Mormon | Helaman 12:4 – 6)
When it comes to political parties, none of the above, frankly, has a nice ring to it; at least by comparison.
Yes, if “they” only worked as if they were instruments in His hand…
I know one thing for sure: I won’t be voting for anyone endorsed by or taking funding from Hagee or CUFI. It’s all up in the air from there, for me.
Would he likely not support the platform of the Constitution Party, as it’s, well, the Constitution?
Actually, Connor, I think when Jesus comes again He will be in charge.
Agreed, but the principles found in the Constitution are for “all people” (D&C 101:77) and will likely be the basis or pattern for laws established in the theocratic democracy in Zion. An interesting book that discusses this is Prophecy: Key to the Future by Duane S. Crowther.
I always look at the debates between the Democrats and Republicans as analogous to the petty maneuvering between the Sadducees and Pharisees. No, I expect if Christ were to visit, he would disdainfully ignore both camps.
And the Libertarians too. Don’t think I’m leaving you out.
I don’t think Jesus would vote, much less support ANY political party.
I don’t think Jesus would vote, much less support ANY political party.
Parties themselves, no. Ideologies, sure.
And which ideologies would he support, Connor?
Political ideologies are nothing more than the philosophies of men mingled with scripture.
And I mean that of all ideologies – libertarianism, democracy, communism, soc ialism, fascism, conservative, liberal, green – all of them.
If you’re trying to paint Jesus into your political corner. I think he’ll disappoint you.
By the way, “s o c i a l i s m” seems to be another “bad word” here.
Seth, I checked our spam filter and “s o c i a l i s m” is not on the list, but blocking it neverthless. Odd.
I agree with you, though. I don’t think Jesus would support any ideology.
Yep.
And which ideologies would he support, Connor?
Those found in the Constitution. Those the founding fathers were inspired to support and implement. Those protecting liberty and free agency.
Political ideologies are nothing more than the philosophies of men mingled with scripture.
All of them?
“S o c i a l ism” flags the spam filters because of the “c i a l i s” in the middle of the word.
I posted something along these lines a few weeks ago. Here it is:
https://www.millennialstar.org/index.php/2007/01/04/on_being_a_good_mormon_and_a_good_democr
Look, I’m pretty sure that in the Milennium there will not be political parties resembling what we have today. The King of Kings will rule and the political system will be more about absolute unity in line with Christ’s will, much more like the Church structure than a political party structure.
But having said all that, there is considerable evidence Christ wants us to care about politics in the meantime. Joseph Smith ran for president. We are encouraged by modern-day prophets to be involved in our communities and to vote. Voting means endorsing the parties with all of their faults and foibles. If Christ opposed all of the parties and felt that everything about them was the “philosophies of men” He would encourage us to disengage from the political process altogether like the JW do. There may come a time when we need to do that, but the time is not yet.
Having said what I said in #15, I will not attempt to name which parties Christ supports. My feeling is that He supports some things in most of the political parties and opposes many things.
Yes, Geoff, it gets dicey, doesn’t it? 🙂
Geoff –
yes, but I feel there is a big difference between weighing all the options and then finally, despite some reservations, voting for one party in a given election and the sort of rank partisanship that declares followers of Christ had better get behind a certain party or else they’re not really followers of Christ. And I see a lot more of the latter than the former, especially in the ‘Nacle.
Yes Connor
ALL OF THEM.
I’m reminded especially of Nibley’s “In the Party but not of the Party,” in Brother Brigham Challenges the Saints.
Any mortal organization necessarily falls short, as it has temporal goals, so we shouldn’t define what we believe with regards to what they purport to hold important. We have to work within the framework of the Gospel, what we believe, and sometimes we will work in parallel with other good and honorable people to further the Lord’s purposes on Earth.
I see a difference between encouraging to vote and get involved or not voting at all. Jesus would want us to do that former, but would not want to do the latter so he doesn’t “dirty” himself.
#13. And which ideologies would he support, Connor?
Those found in the Constitution. Those the founding fathers were inspired to support and implement. Those protecting liberty and free agency.
**********************************************************************
I don’t think JC would be too crazy about only allowing men to vote and that sticky part about blacks being the equivalent of 3/5ths of a white person.
well said, I completely agree.
I imagine he’d be pretty much indifferent to stuff like term limits, bicameral legislature, and the right to bear arms.
The problem Connor, is how you’re defining “ideology.” The way you’re defining it is basically “freedom,” “accountability,” and general good smurfiness.
Ideologies are not the same thing as virtues. Ideologies are systems of thought, loosely premised on an admirable core ideal, but with a lot of extra baggage tacked-on afterwards.
Which is why I say that Christ would embrace NO political ideology. He would accept none of them.
#24: “general good smurfiness”
Of course! But every smurf must remain vigilant against the likes of Gargamel! 🙂
If Christ is “in charge”, then by definition He is an Anarchist. (Look up the original Greek – if He is in charge then He has no rulers).
Ed42,
Unless I am mistaken, doesn’t Christ mean “anointed one” in the original Greek? How then does that make Jesus an Anarchist?
From the LDS Bible Dictionary- Anointed One:
Also, is He not referred to as the “King of Kings” in the scriptures? And by in charge, I mean in the sense that Jesus Christ is the “King of Kings” and Lord over the Earth.
And how about this scripture from Isaiah 9:6 empahsis added–