Commentary: A quaint little faith
By Forrest A. Norman III, The Layman, April 4, 2012
Most of us have heard the admonition that we should not discuss religion or politics in polite company. This rule of etiquette is applied so as to not offend the host of the cocktail party, club members or business associates which constitute polite company, by making them uncomfortable with a view that differs from theirs on anything that matters. “For goodness sakes,” holds this line of reasoning, “we would not want them to know where we stand on an issue of morals, ethics or system of government. They might not like us.” A lot of good people follow this logic because it is always more comfortable to avoid conflict. Others remain mute because they simply do not know how to articulate their faith positions in a meaningful way. The mantra of “separation of church and state” also has created a grievous misconception in our country, with far too many Christians believing that you should not be permitted to discuss faith in public forums. That is not the law or the spirit of the law. Nevertheless, it is easier to avoid conflict and hold your beliefs close to your heart, but far from your lips. It is much more comfortable to discuss your faith exclusively among those whom you already know hold the same views, safely discussing them only in appropriate forums. Conventional wisdom seems to favor relegating our religious beliefs to quaint and quiet gatherings where no opposition is likely to arise and no proverbial pot is stirred.
Well, this is an election year, and as we live in a democratic society with free speech, it is customary that we will be discussing politics in public company, polite or otherwise.
But what about the joinder of the two: Politics and religion? Should we, as believers, integrate our beliefs into our political views and then disclose the basis for our position? Can we afford not to?
The current debate on whether religious employers can be forced to pay for insurance which covers medical procedures which directly conflict with their religious teachings brings this to our doorstep, whether we like it or not. The Catholic Church has done an admirable job of standing up for its institutional beliefs, calling for priests to address the intrusion from the pulpit. The immediate policy question is whether government should be able to force religious institutions to pay for things which are antithetical to their beliefs. Thus far, the government has declined to give an exception on the basis of religious conscience.
In sad irony, the PCUSA is foisting a similar mandate on its churches. The PCUSA Board of Pensions now requires that the monies paid into the community-based benefit plan must be used to extend benefits to same-sex partners of member employees, without an exception of conscience.
What you believe in your conscience does not matter to the Board of Pensions. You must pay for the unbiblical lifestyles of those who are hell bent on living that way. How did the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates achange? They lobbied. They discussed their beliefs openly. They insisted that it is discriminatory not to give them what they want, and they bullied everyone else into silence. They want you to be quaint, quiet and compliant. Some presbyteries have even gone so far as to adopt policies which consider it an act of renunciation to openly discuss objections to such policies if it hints at taking action to separate for reasons of conscience.
Back to the larger civil context: If you allow your voice to be silenced by notions of etiquette, misconstrued concepts of separation of church and state, fear of offending another, or because you do not know how to articulate your faith-based position, you are placing the freedom to practice your faith at risk. Using your faith in making decisions is as valuable and viable a process as any other American’s and you have every legal right to assert it. Your faith should guide your politics, just as it should guide the manner in which you live your life. If you allow your faith to be silenced in the debates of our day, you will allow your faith to be silenced. Jealously guard your right to free exercise of religion, and zealously assert your rights of conscience, both within your denomination and within your country. Both will be well served by it, and, in turn, both will suffer for lack of it.
Forrest A. Norman III is an elder at Hudson Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Hudson, Ohio. He is chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of the Presbyterian Lay Committee.