Politics and Religion: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly and my thoughts

I recently heard someone make the comment that people need to keep their religion out of politics. When I heard this, I had a feeling that this individual was specifically speaking to Christians. Growing up, I heard on a regular basis that one does not discuss religion or politics as they often lead to conflict and damage relationships. However, by not discussing religion and politics and trying to leave religion out of politics we are teaching ourselves to avoid conflict rather than dealing with it peacefully and rationally. I decided to look into politics and religion: the good, the bad and the ugly. The intersection of politics and religion has a complex history from ethical guidance to deep conflict and violent altercations. After some research from both religious and non-religious perspectives, I will present a history of politics, religion and the American founding, as well as the good, bad and ugly when one mixes politics and religion and my own personal thoughts. 

Religious beliefs played a significant role in the political life of the United States. Many of the founding fathers fell into one of four categories: Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregational and Unitarianism/Deism. However, the founding fathers did not set out to create a Christian nation; however, they were not secularists who intended to shut out religion (Frazer, no date). Many Americans will repeat the phrase “the separation of church and state” to indicate that we are not to mix politics and religion. However, this phrase does not mean what many people think it does. It is the belief that government involvement in the church would corrupt the church, not the church involved in government. First, the concept was first used among early Baptists in America in 1644. Roger Williams, a Baptist minister, founder of the state of Rhode Island and the First Baptist Church in America wrote “a wall or hedge of separation between the ‘wilderness of the world’ and ‘the garden of the church’” (Ryman & Alcorn, 2023). The most famous use of the phrase was written by Thomas Jefferson in a 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist Association. Second, the phrase “the separation of church and state” is not in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. Many individuals will cite the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment that the separation of church and state was implied. The Establishment Clause states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. In other words, the government cannot make or endorse an official religion. It is to keep government out of the church but not keep the church (i.e. believers) out of government. 

The Good that results with the mix of politics and religion. First, moral compass and justice. Micah 6:8 says “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?” Moral codes of conduct have been adopted by governments around the world. Rules which guide what is wrong and what is right. Second, community and charity. Practicing Christians are the most charitable people in the nation and not just to their churches but to religious and non-religious charities (Chandler, 2024). Many of the pioneer social reformers were driven by their faiths. Jane Addams, cofounder of Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago, Illinois, was influenced by the works of Charles Dickens and advocated for better programs for the poor women and children. As a member of the Presbyterian church, she would spend her life being a voice to those who were powerless and became a prominent social reformer. Third, moral courage. Religion and moral courage are deeply intertwined as faith provides a foundation for strength and the ethical framework to act in the face of social pressures or danger. Proverbs 28:1 says “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Paul encouraged Timothy as he faced opposition, reminding him that God gives us a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

The Bad about the mix of politics and religion is politicized religion. Politicized religion is when religion becomes increasingly marred in partisan politics (Campbell, 2020) as young Americans are abandoning religion when they see it as an extension of politics they do not agree with. Politicized religion also leads to polarization and tribalism which fosters division and prejudice. I have seen in the last decade as more and more people automatically hate or ridicule another group simply because of one’s affiliation with a church or a religion. “What do you expect she’s…” enter the chosen group. This type of tribalism also leads to opposition to compromise. With politicized religion, a growing divide between secularist and the religious. It becomes a us versus them mentality with little or no move to try to work with the other group. It becomes more about group identity than anything else. It becomes “if you aren’t with us, you are against us.” I don’t know how many times I have seen someone shocked to learn that someone else doesn’t think or believes something simply because of a given group identity. For example, many people think Latino automatically means liberal and Catholic or Middle Eastern and Muslim. Also, there is a growing trend in America where certain political individuals hijack Jesus and attempt to mold him into their ideology in order to validate their views and gain support. The most prominent example of this politicized religion is seen in Progressive Christianity. 

The Ugly about the mix of politics and religion is the weaponization of religion. According to Kathryn Echle (2023), there are three characteristics of weaponization religion. First, political manipulation. Political manipulation involves the use of religious sentiments and institutions to solidify support. This support often leads to theocracy and suppression of those who oppose those in power. Second, extremism and control. Weaponization promotes extremist ideologies and leads to radicalization and the justification of violence. It creates extremist groups which take the tenets of a religion to extreme measures and ultimately turn to violence in order to gain control or compliance. Third, virtue signaling. Virtue signaling in which people are using religion for image management rather than genuine belief. The use of religion for image can lead to exploitation and corruption.The mix of wealth and power with the pull of religion leads to greed, corruption and exploitation. Whenever anyone in the public eye makes the claim of being a Christian, I do not automatically believe them. I look for the evidence, the fruits in their lives, that they are truly believers. And while believers are not perfect and will falter, there still be proof in their lives that they truly believe and follow Jesus Christ. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus tells us to watch for false prophets, to be careful of wolves in sheep’s clothing and by their fruit we will recognize one’s true character by their behaviors. 

I am not a person who is overly political. I do not belong to any political group. I do pay attention to what is going on politically in order to stay informed but politics does not dictate my every waking thought. Everything in my life is informed by my faith, including my political beliefs. The Christian’s primary concern is the gospel and being good citizens that we can represent Christ to the world (Winger, 2022). That is where my focus is to represent Christ as much as I can. It has become popular to fire politically charged questions at Christians; however, these questions are often to trap rather than find the truth or a solution (Winger, 2020). If I am ever faced with a politically charged question, I hope that my carefully chosen answer would bridge the person and Jesus rather than proving myself in the right and them in the wrong as Proverbs 15:28 says that “the heart of the righteous weighs its answers.” However, I know that it would be useless to teach holy concepts to people who do not want to listen (Matthew 7:6). Jesus tells us to be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16) meaning that we are to be discerning, quick to learn, to be careful of manipulation and deceptive traps and yet be gentle and act with integrity rather than inflicting harm. Therefore, as a Christian, my purpose is to be a light in the world and that includes the political world. 

In conclusion, religion and politics can be mixed carefully. To bring morality, justice, a sense of community and charity. Religion can be weaponized and used to manipulate and corrupt people in order to gain power and justify violence. While the United States of America was not designed specifically as a Christian nation, it is dishonest to ignore the faith foundations that are woven into the founding of this great nation. As for me, I focus on my identity in Christ as a wife, mother, friend, and citizen of this country. I will look to Christ as I cast my vote and voice my support or opposition. I aim to be more like Christ and while I may fail, I pray that others see him before they see me. Fellow believers in Christ, I urge you to not to shy away from politics, educate yourself, engage in the conversations when possible and be the light of Christ in a world that desperately needs it. 

Resources

Campbell, David (Summer 2020). The Perils of Politicized Religion. American Academy of Arts and Sciences. https://www.amacad.org/publication/daedalus/perils-politicized-religion. Retrieved March 13, 2026. 

Chandler, Diana (December 12. 2024). Christians are most charitable; giving drives happiness, State of the Bible finds. Baptist Press. https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/christians-are-most-charitable-giving-drives-happiness-state-of-the-bible-finds/. Retrieved March 18, 2026. 

Echele, Kathryn (May 20, 2023). Weaponization of Religion: The Manipulation of Religion in the Pursuit of Political Power in Yugoslavia and Syria. Fordham University. https://research.library.fordham.edu/international_senior/111/. Retrieved March 13, 206. 

Frazer, Gregg (n.d.). The Faith of the Founding Fathers. The Master’s University. https://www.masters.edu/master_tmu_news/the-faith-of-the-founding-fathers/#:~:text=There%20were%20Christians%20among%20the,to%20create%20a%20Christian%20nation.. Retrieved March 13, 2026. 

Ryman, Hana M. & Alcorn, Mark J. (October 17, 2023). Establishment Clause: Separation of Church and State. Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University. https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/establishment-clause-separation-of-church-and-state/#. Retrieved March 13, 2026.

Winger, Mike (2020). Being More Biblical About Politics: The Mark series part 47. https://www.youtube.com/live/dWBybF6T0HQ?si=n1Jgv9y8xJImvtXK. Retrieved March 8, 2025. 

Winger, Mike (2022). She asked me to talk about politics. The Bible Thinker. https://youtu.be/eV5dgUNoeHs?si=nH4xhdUT45rHrz4V. Retrieved March 8, 2025.

 

Broadway Butterfly: The real life unsolved murder of Dot King. Who killed her and why?

Broadway Butterfly by Sara DiVello is a true crime fictional account of a 1920s unsolved murder. New York during the Roaring Twenties was in full swing where power, politics, and secrets often bury the truth. On morning in 1923, scandalous flapper Dot King is found dead in her Midtown apartment. A bottle of chloroform is discovered near her body as well as thousands of dollars in jewels and high end items are missing. The news of her death makes headlines as it swirls stories of secret lovers, illegal activities and blackmail. Sprinkle in the upper crust of New York society, political connections as Julia Harpmann, a Daily News crime reporter, is hot on the case while navigating a male-dominated industry. John D. Coughlin, the righteous NYPD detective, who struggles against politics and corruption that sought to bury the truth. Ella Bradford, the victim’s Harlem maid and closest confidant who holds her deepest, darkest secrets. Will the murderer be found or will the powers that be bury it along with the victim? 

I never heard about Dot King and her horrifying death until I came across Broadway Butterfly. While described as a thriller, Broadway Butterfly is more a true crime historical fiction as the author did great research on the case and the individuals involved in investigating the crime as well as those trying to hide the truth. Ms. DiVello brings to life the real individuals who were involved with the case and the affect the case had on their lives. It is a good story about all levels of New York society of the 1920s. From the millionaires to showgirls, to the politicians and gangsters. The murder of Dot King remains unsolved to this day. Broadway Butterfly circulates the theory of the crime at the time as well as the theories that have developed since. Overall, I was interested in the story and while I knew the crime is officially unsolved, I still hoped for some type of resolution for Miss King. If you enjoy true crime stories with a historical fiction vibe, I recommend Broadway Butterfly. 

Broadway Butterfly is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Bathsheba: a twisted story of sex, politics, and a cover up

When I started this month’s study on Bathsheba, I thought I knew her story. And as I researched for this post, I never realized how many viewed her part in her story. Many have viewed her as an adulteress who knew what she was doing when she took her ritual cleansing bath. But I have one problem with this view, how could she have known that King David would be on the rooftop that night? If we take evidence from the Biblical story, we can see that she was innocent in this twisted story of sex, politics and a coverup. This story is told in 2 Samuel 11:1-12:25. 

We first see Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11:2 as King David spots a beautiful woman bathing. Verse 4 tells us that she was taking her ritual cleansing after her monthly period. Her husband, Uriah, was off at war, when messengers came to take her before the king. David sleeps with her and later Bathsheba discovers she is pregnant and tells David. This news sets in motion a series of events which would lead David to greater and greater transgressions which his family would feel the ramifications for generations. David tries to cover it up. He sends Uriah home from the battlefield, hoping he would sleep with his wife and think the child was his. But Uriah doesn't do that. In desperation, David sends Uriah back to the battlefield and sets him up to be killed in battle. When news came that Uriah had been killed and after an appropriate mourning period, David marries Bathsheba and she gives birth to a son. The prophet, Nathan, confronts David, first with a story that enrages David, and then with David’s sin that the story illustrates. David sought forgiveness and God forgives him; however the baby boy would die. 

Did Bathsheba have a choice when the messengers took her to David? Many people have argued that yes, she did. She could have said, “no, I’m married.” But could she really? She lived in a time when women had very little control in their lives, let alone a voice. If the king requested (in other words, demanded) your presence, you came. There was no telling the king, “no.” Also, 2 Samuel 11:4 says the messengers took her to him. The word “took” is very important. In Hebrew, the word implies force. It means to seize, take captive, to be captured (Bernock, 2019). Bathsheba had no choice but to come. Could not have fled like Joseph did from Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-12)? I still say no, she probably felt she couldn’t. Even God identifies David as the sinner and Bathsheba as the innocent party (Feinstein, 2008) as Nathan uses a lamb to illustrate her role in his story (2 Samuel 12:1-4). And David probably intended for this encounter to be, essentially, a one-night stand, until the pregnancy changed everything (Adelman, 2021). And he chose to cover up his sin with sin after sin. 

There are three lessons we can learn from this story. First, trying to cover up sin only makes it worse. Have you ever lied to cover up a lie? And continued to lie? We all have. While telling the truth can make us look bad or even hurt someone; however, in the long run, honesty is always best. It’s the same with sin. Being truthful and resisting sin in the first place is better than trying to hide the first sin with more dishonesty. Second, even the innocent can be hurt by sin. Bathsheba would lose her husband and her baby son, Uriah would lose his life, and a tiny baby would die because of David’s sin and cover up attempts. There were many lives in future generations ruined because of one man’s sin. Third, repentance doesn’t reverse the effects of sins. While David was repented and God forgave him, the results of his sin and the ramifications could not be taken away. David would see his kingdom fall into turmoil as sons fight for the throne and eventually his kingdom torn in two (1 Kings 12). 

In conclusion, Bathsheba was a woman who was drawn into a situation driven by one man’s desire. While she seems to be the catalyst that sets the ball rolling. It began with David and it ended with David. It seems that her only crime was that her beauty made her a victim to another man’s desire. She is fairly silent, only uttering three words in the entire story. But she certainty isn’t passive. She reappears in the Bible and becomes more active as her son, Solomon becomes king of Israel (1 Kings 1). From her story, we can see that we don’t have to be the sinner to be affected by its consequences. 

References

Adelman, Rachel (June 23, 2021). Bathsheba: Bible. Jewish Women’s Archive. https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/bathsheba-bible. Retrieved October 24, 2021. 

Bernock, Danielle (August 19, 2019). Who Was Bathsheba in the Bible? Christianit.com. 

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/who-was-bathsheba-in-the-bible.html. Retrieved October 24, 2021.

Feinstein, Jessica (January 25, 2008). Bathsheba is One of the Most Beguiling Characters in the Bible. US News.com. https://www.usnews.com/news/religion/articles/2008/01/25/bathsheba-is-one-of-the-most-beguiling-characters-in-the-bible. Retrieved October 24, 2021. 

A Woman of Intelligence: a 1950s spy story

A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe is a spy novel set in the early 1950s as the Red Scare takes hold of the nation. Katharina “Rina” Edgeworth is a born and bred New Yorker. She has married the ideal husband, the talented pediatric surgeon, two sons, a Fifth Avenue address, high society parties. To the outside world, she has the perfect life. But appearances can be deceiving. As the daughter of immigrants, Ivy-League educated and speaking four languages, as a single girl in 1940s Manhattan, she was recruited as a translator at the newly formed United Nations. She devotes her days to the promise of world peace and her nights to the promise of a good time. But life as a wife and mother, Rina feels trapped in a gilded cage and she is desperate to escape. One fateful day, she is approached by the FBI to be an informant. A man from her past has become a high-level Soviet spy and the FBI has tried unsuccessfully to infiltrate his inner circle. Enter Rina, the perfect woman for the job. Can she navigate the demands of the FBI, secrets and keep her everyday life safe and secret? 

A Woman of Intelligence is described with the “fast-paced twists of a classic spy thriller, and the nuanced depiction of female experience” and “shimmers with intrigue and desire.” I can say it failed to live up to this description. Maybe I’m not familiar enough with spy thrillers, not my usual genre, but the story was anything but fast-paced. The references to the Cold War events as they happened was interesting as the McCarthy hearings were headline news at the time. Rina was a very hard woman to care for. She whined and complained more than anything else. There were too many comments about the socialites and the fashion of the day, then the spy intrigue. The author tries to show how underappreciated the stay at home moms were, and often still are today, however, it did not improve my opinion of Rina. I can appreciate that the author wanted to show a woman who is more than just a wife and mother. Overall, I enjoyed A Woman of Intelligence, it just was not as exciting as I expected. If you are a fan of Karin Tanabe, you may enjoy A Woman of Intelligence. 

A Woman of Intelligence is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook. 

The Bohemians: the people and the city that help shape the famous Dorothea Lange

The Bohemians by Jasmin Darznik is the story of a young Dorothea “Dorrie” Lange as she steps off the train in 1918 San Francisco. There she meets Caroline Lee, a vivacious, straight-talking Chinese American with a complicated past. Their friendship gives Dorrie entry to Monkey Block, an artists’ colony and the bohemian heart of the city. Dorrie is launched into a new world of freedom, art and politics. There she meets the people who helped shape the art culture of the 1920s as well as meets and falls in love with the brilliant, yet troubled, artist Maynard Dixon. Eventually Dorrie and Caroline form a partnership and create a successful portrait studio. Unfortunately, the anti-Chinese and anti-immigration sentiment in the city will push their friendship to a breaking point and alter the course of their partnership and their lives. How will the experience in San Francisco help mold Dorrie into the Dorotha Lange we all know, the photographer who documented the Great Depression and gave the suffering a human face? 

I have known Dorothea Lange for her famous photograph titled “Migrant Mother” but I knew very little of her origins. Ms. Darznik brings the past to life as vivid and vibrant as those who lived it. The events, the attitudes and the corruption feels eerily familiar to today’s contemporary themes. The story also reminds us that the gift of friendship and the possibility of self-invention are still possible even in the most turbulent times. From the opening chapters to the closing epilogue, Ms Darznik weaves a story of Dorothea Lange that many are not familiar with. As we know her as the famous photographer, she began at a time when female photographers were unheard of and not taken seriously. I enjoyed seeing the famous names of the day pop in, like Ansel Adams as well as the events that helped push Dorothea to document the Great Depression as she did. The Bohemians is an awesome story and I highly recommended it. 

The Bohemians will be available April 6, 2021 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. 

Seeds of the Word: an insightful and interesting look into finding God in the world around us

Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture by Bishop Robert Barron is a look into films, books, politics and society and culture as we see evidence of God and the human longing for God. Christians have searched for “seeds of the Word” in their lives and the surrounding culture. Barron is the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries which includes a YouTube channel and a documentary on the Catholic faith, Catholicism. According to Barron, no matter how charred or distorted, the seeds of the Gospel are all around us, especially in the most unusual places. Seeds of the Word is a collection of essays in which Bishop Barron finds those seeds in today’s most popular arenas like superheroes, sports and social commentary. Barron also confronts the growing anti-Catholic sentiment and where atheists and the secular world get faith and God wrong. 

Seeds of the Word was given to me by cousins of mine and while I am not a practicing Catholic, my Christian faith has its roots in the Catholic Church as I was baptized as a baby and have my first communion. I have read many books which make similar assertions of finding God in the world around us, I was curious about Bishop Barron’s claims. From the opening article, Bishop Barron is clear, concise and uses evidence from each film, book and social commentary to support his claims as well as his counter arguments. I found Bishop Barron to be very insightful and interesting. From philosophy to Scripture and historical records, Bishop Barron presents the information very clearly and makes sound arguments for his theses. I highly recommend Seeds of the Word for Bishop Barron’s insights and honesty. 

Seeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture is available in paperback and eBook

Political analysis from a non-political person

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Once again elections are upon us. The mid-term elections will occur on November 4, 2014. I’ll admit I really dislike elections years. The endless ads, the debates and the petitions being shoved in my face as I enter a store. However, as a responsible citizen, I do participate in the voting process. I vote because I want my voice to be counted even though what I may vote for doesn’t pass. I always say, if you don’t vote, then you can’t complain. With the coming elections, it got me thinking about the comparisons and differences between the Democrats and Republicans, the liberals and the conservatives, especially with the emergence of the Tea Party in the last few years. This post is not to say which party is better or which one you should join. That’s for you to decide. Personally, I don’t belong to any political party and I definitely don’t like to discuss my political views. Political views are too volatile and it’s not worth the argument, if you can’t discuss things civilly.

                The Democratic Party is the older of the two parties with its origins in the anti-federalist factions when this country was founded. The party was organized by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and other opponents of the Federalists in 1792 (Encyclopedia Britannica). It is follows the liberal philosophy which based on community and social responsibility. According to their website, the Democratic Party is a political group which focus on fairness. “We’re greater together than we are on own - that this country succeeds when everyone gets a fair shot, when everyone does their fair share, when everyone plays by the same rules.” (Democratic Party official website). While the Republican Party was founded on March 20, 1854 as an anti-slavery platform. The party rose to prominence with Abraham Lincoln as the 1^st Republican president (History Channel). It is follows the conservative philosophy which based on small government and laws should reflect the best interest of society as a whole.  

                I would like to discuss each of the issues that the parties support. While there are many issues in which the parties support, I would like to focus on the main issues.  First, the economy is important to everyone. It means jobs, income and security. The Democratic Party supports ending tax loopholes for corporations, tax cuts for small businesses, investing in clean energy and creating jobs rebuilding the country’s infrastructure (Democratic Party official website). They also favor minimum wages increases and a progressive tax rate (Diffen.com). A Progressive tax rate simply is the more income you make, the more you pay in taxes. While the Republican Party supports a free market and opposes government intervention in control of industry (Republican Party official website). They also oppose increase in taxes and believe wages should be set by the free market (Diffen.com).

Second, immigration reform is an important topic right now. The Democratic Party supports securing the border, end to employer exploitation of undocumented workers and responsibility from undocumented workers (Democratic Party official website). The party proposes that undocumented residents: 1) be in good standing, 2) must admit they broke the law, 3) pay taxes and penalties, 4) learn English and 5) get right with the law before submitted an application for citizenship (Democratic Party official website). While their official website does not mention immigration reform, according to the Pew Research Center, the Republican Party supports a path to citizenship similar to the Democrats’ plan. They also support a requirement for U.S. employers to conduct immigration status of all new hires as well as tightening the U.S. border security and providing Border Patrol with resources they need to keep the border secure (Pew Research Center).

Third, education is an area of concern. The Democrats supports an educational system which encourages math, science and technology (Democrat Party official website). The party supports a national standards, increased spending particularly teachers’ salaries, reducing the minority achievement gap, government-controlled school options and programs like Head Start, the party believes puts students on the path to college (Joy Pullman).  While the Republican Party supports the math, sciences and technology; however, they would like to see more parent choice in which schools their children attends (Republican Party official website).  The party supports a variety of school options including charter schools, vouchers, and supports the ending of “last in, first out” requirements for teacher hiring and retention (Joy Pullman). The “Last in first out” is seniority based lay-offs.

                If that wasn’t very confusing, enter the Tea Party. The Tea Party is a populist movement which began in 2009 urging political change for the benefit of the people (Tea Party Movement). Their focus is on fiscal conservatism. The Tea Party favors decreased taxes and decreased government spending in order to reduce the federal budget deficit (Tea Party Movement). The Tea Party is mostly associated with the Republican Party and they are not registered as a political party. They have no central leadership which according to some is proof of its grassroots credentials which leaves its goal and beliefs to be highly localized and personalized (Encyclopedia Britannica). Tea Party is basically a label that some politicians have taken up to further demonstrate their ideas of where this country has been and where it needs to go.

                In conclusion, I really dislike politics. While some issues I wholeheartedly disagree with one side with, there are other issues that I think that it makes sense. What I really dislike is that both sides claim that they are for the people and they have our best interest at heart but when they get to Washington, they are out for themselves. Maybe at first, the new idealist politician comes to Washington to help get the country on the right track, but if they aren’t carefully, they will forget why they were elected and by whom. I distrust politicians on both sides of the aisle because I feel that they think they know better than I do what I want in life. I don’t like being dictated to. And I don't think that I'm alone. 

References

Democratic Party official website www.democratic.org

Diffen.com www.diffen.com/difference/Democrat_vs_Republican

Encyclopedia Britannica www.britannica.com

History Channel www.history.com

Joy Pullman, Heartland Institute www.heartland.org

Republican Party official website www.gop.com

Tea Party Movement www.what-is-the-tea-party.com