Illinois government is imploding under the weight of its own corruption. Today we find that Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) asked Gov. Blagojevich to resign and let the Lt. Governor (also a Democrat) appoint the new Senator rather than letting it go to a special election. I wonder why he would want that? Surely he thinks that a partisan in the most corrupt, partisan state government in history would be fair minded and choose the best person. Or, maybe Reid is shamelessly and unapologetically defending his majority, regardless of what the people of Illinois want. This is a situation that Reid should have stayed out of.
There’s something greater at work here though. In a season when conservatives (Republican & otherwise) are attempting to re-discover their voice, one of the big questions is what to do with Evangelicals. It’s a fair question. I think it’s probably the most important question.
To answer it well, it’s important to move beyond seeing them as a voting bloc. I’m unashamedly a conservative, evangelical Christian. I’m a pastor at a church in San Antonio. Don’t be mistaken, however, into assuming that I’m Ralph Reed, Jerry Falwell, or Pat Robertson. The Reader’s Digest version is that I don’t think it’s good for the state to get officially mixed up in Church business, or for the Church to get officially mixed up in state business. I don’t think any government should impose any religion on any people. Faith & religion are separate things entirely. Faith is the substance that makes a difference, and faith can’t be imposed or legislated. When Constantine legislated the Christian faith in Rome, the empire fell and the Church slid into its one of its darkest, least effective, periods in history. Everyone lost.
The one problem with separation of church & state, however, is that I am the state. I am also the church. Separating the two isn’t possible. That’s a good thing, especially in these times. If the conservative movement hopes to have a resurgence, it better leave space at the table for conservatives like me. Here’s why:
- Conservative Evangelicals believe in authority – At the end of the day, I understand full well that I am not the boss of me. First, I have to answer to God. Because of that, I can more easily answer to my wife, boss, co-workers, or should I be an elected official, my constituents. But when I feel I don’t have to answer anyone but me, shady real estate deals and pay-for-play politics aren’t such a big deal. What right do you have to question me about it, anyway?
- Conservative Evangelical’s believe in accountability – Even in the Ted Haggard scandal, he was removed from his pastorate and put on a road to recovery. No one made excuses for him, coddled him, or explained away his actions. They dealt with them and let him feel the consequences. The idea of holding our legislators accountable is foundational to a healthy thriving government of, by, and for the people.
- Conservatives have a basis for their morality – I believe it does not matter what the definition of the word “is” is, Mr. Clinton. It only matters whether or not you had an inappropriate relationship with an intern. Also, the primary problem with Mr. Clinton wasn’t a prudish aversion to talk about sex. The problem with Lewinsky-gate was that my President lied to and cheated on his wife, so why would I assume that he wouldn’t lie to the American people. In many cases there simply is a right and a wrong, and that governs the way I vote, and it governs the way I would legislate.
As a conservative evangelical Christian, I screw it up as much as I get it right. When I do, however, I expect to be called out on it. At time when Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) continues to run as he’s being convicted of a felony, when the governor of a state can unashamedly peddle a seat in the American Senate, when a would be Senator Al Franken would go over the head of the people of his state, it’s time to make some changes to the fabric of the political culture in America.
I’m in no way advocating a resurgence of the Religious Right. I firmly believe that you can’t legislate morality. I believe character ALWAYS leads. I also believe my faith informs, directs, and contributes to the content of my character. It doesn’t make me perfect, but it holds me to a higher standard.
I think its’ just about time we sought out some higher standards.
