Why Christianity Should Not Be Politicized

Would you feel comfortable going to church with somebody from a different political party? In America today, many people wouldn’t — because they feel self-righteous disgust, even hatred toward people on the other side of the political divide.

Polling data reveals a nation of people filled with partisan anger and convinced they are morally superior to those who disagree with them about politics. For example, over 40% of both Democrats and Republicans believe members of the opposing party are “downright evil.” About 20% of people in both parties believe that people in the other party are “like animals” and “lack the traits to be considered fully human.” And perhaps most disturbingly, 20% of Democrats and 15% of Republicans believe “we’d be better off as a country” if most people from the other side “just died.”

These polls were taken before the incredibly divisive year 2021, which has polarized Americans even further. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that seemingly the only thing many people can agree on is that if the wrong party controls the government, it might be appropriate to resort to violence. In early 2022, according to a Washington Post poll, more than one-third of Americans said they believe anti-government violence is sometimes justified — including 40% of Republicans, 41% of independents, and 23% of Democrats.

A second civil war or a Rwanda-style genocide might be in America’s future, if we continue down the path of mutual hatred, dehumanization, and escalation of tensions between opposing political factions. Is there anything Christianity can do to help reverse this terrifying trend?

The Light of the World

From our service on January 31, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


This week, on February 2, Christians celebrate Candlemas, commemorating the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem and the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to Jewish tradition, every firstborn son was to be consecrated to the Lord with a sacrifice of a pair of doves or young pigeons, and according to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’s parents followed this custom [Luke 2:22-24].

But the significance of Candlemas goes deeper than that. As it has developed in the Christian tradition, it is a day to reflect on the Divine Light that shines in Christ as the light of the world. On Candlemas, many Christians in both Catholic and Protestant churches bring candles to church to be blessed, and these blessed candles are used for the rest of the year, as a symbol and a reminder of Jesus who illuminates our hearts with the light of God.

Barnabas

From our service on January 31, 2021, a story of the inspiring life of Barnabas, as recounted by Colin Mills.

January 31, 2021 Service: “The Light of the World”

In the midst of a dark winter, let us look to the light of Christ and find it shining within ourselves. This week, we celebrate the light of God that enlightens our world through Jesus Christ, and our calling to join Jesus in spreading the light through our own actions. We also recognize the important contributions of Barnabas, who worked with Paul to spread the faith as a devoted apostle.

The Ministry and Teachings of Jesus: Openness and Inclusion

From our service on January 24, 2021, a sermon by Pastor Eric Stetson. Watch video below.


Who was the real Jesus Christ? Although Jesus of Nazareth is undoubtedly the best-known religious leader in history, opinions differ widely about the meaning of his mission and how we should interpret it today.

Last week, in part one of this two-part series on “The Ministry and Teachings of Jesus,” I focused on the themes of charity, healing, and forgiveness. This week, I want to emphasize Jesus’s message of openness and inclusion.

January 24, 2021 Service: “The Ministry and Teachings of Jesus: Openness and Inclusion”

Who was the real Jesus Christ, and what did he really teach? In part two of this two-part series, we focus on the themes of openness and inclusion. And we tell the story of Mahatma Gandhi, a spiritual giant who walked the path of Christ despite belonging to a different religion.