It is nice when religion and politics are kept apart…

It is nice when issues of religion and politics can be kept apart.

Religion is unsullied by worldly concerns. Going to church can be an inspiring escape from reality.  We can focus purely on God and listening to the Holy Spirit. We can reflect on our future hope in heaven.  We can think really theologically. We can have a deep personal experience which leaves us feeling uplifted.

But when religion and politics are mixed, things become difficult.

Fellow Christians start arguing on facebook about Brexit or Trump. Sermons become controversial, people who pray and sing together easily feel tension. Arguments break out about all-sorts of non-religious subjects like money, tax, justice, refugees, poverty and power. Religion gets messy.

But…

…authentic faith cannot be never be neatly separated from politics. In reality there is no sacred-secular divide. God is concerned for the whole of his creation.

And this includes subjects like money, tax, justice, refugees, poverty and power.

Is it not wrong to disagree with those we worship with: a common faith should not lead to political conformity.  The resources of faith should actually help us disagree – but do so with grace and respect.

Check out this short film from Christians on the Left about the thorny issue of tax evasion, a ‘non-religious’ subject that Jesus was specifically asked about…