Bob CollinsYesterday, the Democrats held an interfaith church service, picketed by a group called COCORE.org, which is made up of several Colorado atheist organizations. The group asserted the Democrats are “assisting the emergence of a religious-left to counter the religious-right.”
Religion, however, is a big part of politics. It’s unlikely that’s going to change anytime soon.
But here’s why I ask. Over the last two weeks, I’ve been interviewing several Minnesota delegates to the two major party conventions. Two have made a particular impression. On the Democratic side, Rep. Yolanda Lehman of St. Cloud is a liberal who clearly comes to her politics as an extension of her faith. She can cite the Bible for guidance on a political philosophy.
Nancy Haapoja of Redwood Falls is a Republican delegate (watch for her profile later this week). She is the director of the Campus Life Center of Youth for Christ. She also comes to politics by way of her faith. She, too, cites the Bible for guidance on her political philosophy.
Two delegates, both come to their politics through their religious belief, both cite the Bible as their favorite book, both pray to the same God, yet both end up in very different locations on the political spectrum.
How is that possible? And what about you? What is the role of your faith in politics? Did your faith shape your politics and, if so, how?
