By Bishop Ann Svennungsen
Throughout my life I’ve worked hard to avoid claiming that any particular political party is the closest reflection of God’s will. I believe that Christian people can live out their values in whatever party they choose; that the two-party system has given this country an important history of checks and balances.
My childhood family was a wonderful combination of Republicans and Democrats. Our conversations were lively; but shaped by respect and curiosity.
“My family’s conversations were lively; but shaped by respect and curiosity.”
I remember a talk Dad and I shared. We couldn’t agree on the best policy on a particular problem facing our country. We ended up just naming the values we did agree on – honesty, hard work, fairness, generosity, among others. And, we humbly recognized that there may not be just one strategy – one political party – that could achieve our values most effectively.
SHAPED BY MY FAMILY’S story, I was deeply saddened this week. There’s no question that President Donald Trump, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and Sen. Mitt Romney disagree politically. Our country is made better by honest political disagreement and discernment.
But, this week, something else happened; something beyond political disagreement. In December, Pelosi told a reporter that she prays for the president “all the time.” On Wednesday, Romney said his vote for impeachment came “from the conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me.”
Then, on Thursday, President Trump said: “I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong nor do I like people who say, ‘I pray for you,’ when they know that’s not so.”
The back and forth between these leaders feels like a slippery slope, more dangerous than a case of partisan bickering.
“The back and forth between these leaders over prayer and conscience feels like a slippery slope; more dangerous than a case of partisan bickering.”
As people of faith, we believe that no one can know the private prayers of another. No one has the power to denounce the conscience of another. We can critique actions; we can disagree with positions. But, we do not have power to know that which is only known by God. Not even a president has such power. For a political leader to claim authority to judge another’s faith or conscience is troubling indeed.
Maybe I’m making more of this than I should. If you’re reading this post and would like to make that case, I’d love to hear from you (for a conversation shaped by respect and curiosity).
In the meantime, we can all pray – for our country, its leaders, and all who strive for the common good.