Christianity and Politics
Some Christians believe that religion and politics should be kept entirely separate.
These Christians often think that:
o Religion is concerned with an individual’s spiritual development, not with society.
o The New Testament teaches that Christians will be judged on how they love God and their neighbour, not on their politics.
o Christianity is about relationships with individuals and worship of God whereas politics is concerned with how society should be governed and so should work according to political, not Christian, principles.
The reasons for their views are:
• When Jesus was asked whether Jews should pay taxes to the Romans he said that there was a religious part of life and a political part which should be kept separate.
• Paul, the early Christian leader, said that Christians should obey political leaders.
• Lots of Church leaders (e.g. the Pope and Martin Luther) have told Christians to obey the leaders of the state.
• In a multi-faith society religion and politics must be kept apart otherwise there might be religious conflict.
Key quote
“’Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’…..Then Jesus said to them, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
From Mark’s Gospel, chapter 12, The Bible
o Religion is concerned with an individual’s spiritual development, not with society.
o The New Testament teaches that Christians will be judged on how they love God and their neighbour, not on their politics.
o Christianity is about relationships with individuals and worship of God whereas politics is concerned with how society should be governed and so should work according to political, not Christian, principles.
The reasons for their views are:
• When Jesus was asked whether Jews should pay taxes to the Romans he said that there was a religious part of life and a political part which should be kept separate.
• Paul, the early Christian leader, said that Christians should obey political leaders.
• Lots of Church leaders (e.g. the Pope and Martin Luther) have told Christians to obey the leaders of the state.
• In a multi-faith society religion and politics must be kept apart otherwise there might be religious conflict.
Key quote
“’Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’…..Then Jesus said to them, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
From Mark’s Gospel, chapter 12, The Bible
Other Christians believe that Christianity is a whole way of life and you cannot separate Christianity from politics.
Many feel that they can use Christian principles to decide which political party to vote for.
They think these things because:
• Jesus threw the money changers out of the Temple; this showed that religion is more important than politics.
• Jesus taught that it is impossible to serve God and money. Politics is linked to money. If people try to separate religion and politics they will be controlled by politics and not God in the end.
• In the New Testament the Letter of James says that real religious faith will be shown through practical actions to help other people.
• The Churches have made statements about how Christians should be involved in helping the suffering and working for peace. These things require Christians to be involved in politics.
Key Quote
“….faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.”
From the Letter of James, chapter 2, The Bible
They think these things because:
• Jesus threw the money changers out of the Temple; this showed that religion is more important than politics.
• Jesus taught that it is impossible to serve God and money. Politics is linked to money. If people try to separate religion and politics they will be controlled by politics and not God in the end.
• In the New Testament the Letter of James says that real religious faith will be shown through practical actions to help other people.
- Politics is the means to help large groups of people so Christians should be involved.
• The Churches have made statements about how Christians should be involved in helping the suffering and working for peace. These things require Christians to be involved in politics.
Key Quote
“….faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.”
From the Letter of James, chapter 2, The Bible