How Would Jesus Serve?A Short Look at the Basis of Conservative Politics...

I'm extremely disconcerted. Yeah, I realize that politics swing back and forth between the liberals and the conservatives, one giant pendulum going back and forth on the whims of our society. But the rise of conservatism in the 80's--with the brief lapse during Clinton, but only in the executive branch, really--while it may seem to be on the down swing (finally!) is still dominating the air waves. So I thought, Hmm, all these "faith-based" conservatives and "faith-based" groups, all trying to run the country... Is that how their lord really imagined his legacy? Not that I personally think a lot of them actually run around thinking "What Would Jesus Do?" One look at how a lot of them act in the public spotlight is reason enough to know the thought doesn't occur to them any more frequently than "I wonder what weasels smell like?" But seriously, of all the media coverage devoted to these "conservatives," these "values voters"--how much are they truly concerned with the spiritual things they claim to be for, and how much are they really concerned with the things of the world?

One of the greatest tenants of the bible--throughout all of Christianity in truth--is that of "service to others." A doctrinal sentiment in which, as Jesus supposedly served the masses both in his life and death, so Christians should seek to serve their fellow man. One of Jesus' greatest examples of this was in his washing of his own disciples feet. He was their teacher, their rabbi--but he himself got down on his hands and knees and washed their feet after they ate their dinner. Jesus exhorted constantly that you should treat others how you want to be treated. To love one another. Service is a key tenant of the faith that so many hold dear.

Jesus himself constantly pushed away opportunities to rise to power. When he entered through the gate to the sounds of "Hosanna!" he didn't stick around to bask in the glory. He promptly went to the temple, cleaned house, and left the town. He didn't stick around and begin to lay down rules about how the temple should then run. He didn't call a meeting of the pharisees and rabbis to make sure that strict rules were put into place to keep businesses from setting up shop in the temple entrance. He left.

When the teachers tried to trick him into whether someone should pay taxes or not, Jesus didn't cry, "You should give your money to me!" He said render unto Caesar. He could have easily made a grab for power, yet passed it by again.

Today's Christians, however, aren't interested in serving. Oh, don't get me wrong--there are plenty followers of this dead man who do good, who try to make things better, who do a kind deed if for no other reason than that they know they should (and really, anyone who needs a dead guy to tell them it's just the decent thing to do maybe should have religion in their lives...) No, I'm talking about the Christians who are seeking the power of elected office. To "serve the public" by holding office and making laws "after god's own heart."

Naturally (I should place an "un-" before that), they feel that since they know The Truth, and have The Answers, who better than they to lead the public? Who better than one who can make the "evil liberals" or "evil gays" change their ways except by making laws based on the bible, their main "source" of "knowledge" about "god"? Although Jesus himself said that the law was no longer valid as long as people loved god, and loved one another like they love themselves (Jesus did have some wicked insight into human nature, I give the dude that!), many a Christian today feels it is their duty--nay, their obligation--to try and dictate laws and morality in America, to try to make us "a Christian nation," something Jesus in the prime of his time never even considered! After all, Jesus himself told his followers to shun any type of worldly life--and, it seems to me, a concern for worldly laws and secular rules which certainly makes more than enough room for a Christian of any denomination to speak freely and worship as they wish to--simply goes against the very values Jesus was trying to get everyone to worry about.

Faith plays a huge role in today's politics. All you hear about on talk radio is how the Republicans are trying to win their "conservative base," and how Democrats are "trying to sound more godly" to swing "conservative moderates" (I'm picturing an elephant with a donkey's ears...); all anyone seems to care about in Washington is how "religious" they can look and act for the sake of power. What most fundamentalist Christians are caring about is getting people into office who can legislate a moral code based on the bible; as such, they spend their days trying to peer into the souls and minds of these political wanna-be's, trying to cast public opinion in the most "Christ-like" direction. They are reaching for a power that not only the Constitution never wanted any kind of religious preference to have, but--upon a study of their lord--it seems their man-god never wanted them to have either.

In fact, in all my years of studying scripture, I can't recall Jesus ever hitting the hot-button issues of our day: Homosexuality or Abortion. And, like all the so-called "vices" of humanity, they were more than prevalent in his day and age. I wonder why that is?

Recently, there has been some controversy about one evangelical, fundamentalist pastor in New York; one, I dare say, who seems to have his head on straight despite our differing world views. He has said some of the following:

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"America wasn't founded as a theocracy," he said. "America was founded by people trying to escape theocracies. Never in history have we had a Christian theocracy where it wasn't bloody and barbaric. That's why our Constitution wisely put in a separation of church and state."

One woman asked: "So why NOT us? If we contain the wisdom and grace and love and creativity of Jesus, why shouldn't we be the ones involved in politics and setting laws?" Mr. Boyd responded: "I don't think there’s a particular angle we have on society that others lack. All good, decent people want good and order and justice. Just don't slap the label 'Christian' on it."

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Now there's a man who really follows the precepts set forth in the bible. I have to respect that, even if I disagree fundamentally with his worship practices...

Let's take the example of--oh, I dunno--auto mechanics. Let's say auto mechanics are trying to get legislation passed that everyone must drive a Toyota. They are the safest, most reliable, cheapest, and most fuel-efficient cars out there. They have study after study and test after test that tells them so. People wouldn't stand for it! They'd say, "That's ridiculous! I can drive whatever the heck I want!" But an auto-mechanic would know best, wouldn't they? They see cars day in and day out. They know which ones break down more often. Which types don't fair well in an accident. So why wouldn't we let auto-mechanics legislate the type of car Americans should be driving? They are the "automotive experts," aren't they?

Much in the same way, as Fundamentalist Christians feel they have the answers to cure all ills, to make all things right, to "save America" as it were. And, if they can't "save America," at least they can make all Americans act like Christians by enacting laws that favor their morality--which strikes against the very heart of servitude. Of treating others how you would want to be treated.

In short, it seems to me that when Christians become so concerned about what the world is doing, they are no longer storing up the treasures in heaven, as they are called to--but becoming a part of the world, which they are supposed to shun.

A Christian who decides to enter our democratic government with the sole purpose of enforcing a "Christian agenda" is seeking to hold power over others--not serve the public interest by protecting the freedoms of all the citizens of this country. However, a Christian who enters office seeking to serve the people, all of them, despite what they may personally believe, is following the precepts Jesus set forth--doing unto others as you would have done unto you.

As a Christian, even if one fundamentally disagrees with how one lives their lives, would Jesus have truly sought to change the laws of the land? Or simply lived by example? I personally think he simply would have lived by example...

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This may not need said, but just in case... No, I don't believe he was the son of god, but I do believe he was just a dude trying to make a difference. Was he a little nuts with a god complex? Maybe, who knows? Who cares? We can learn something even from the craziest of crazies (i.e., Hitler, Stalin, Jeffrey Dahmer) just as much as we can learn from the not-so-crazies (i.e., your neighbor, your mother, your local librarian...) One must not shun knowledge just because of its source. However, one must always consider the source, in all its precepts and intents.

Not being a follower of the Chritsian faith in any denomination, it disturbs me that so many who do claim to follow have such a hard time with the basic premises of their religion. Dictating moral law was never one of Jesus' goals here on earth. He was simply offering an alternative to the cultural norm at the time. And while fundamentalists may think they are offering an "alternative," what they are really offering is an ultimatum of sorts, one they can't back up. Which makes me wonder--what will they resort to when the pendulum really gets into swing? Once they feel they no longer have a shot at dictating how people should live... What's next?