The Christian Politician Rises Again

You can tell that Republican presidential hopefuls are getting desperate when the “R” card raises its ugly head.  Religion and Republicans are always a dangerous mix.

Governor Rick Perry was recently quoted by a Christian radio station confidently saying that he will “practice his faith” if elected to the presidential office, by some miracle. I was puzzled by his quixotic statement. I later learned that this was a sly dig against President Obama, who sometimes plays golf on Sundays instead of “practicing his faith.”

I wonder if sly insults count as “practicing ones faith.” Politicians rarely practice what they preach and I doubt that practicing faith would be the first area that they actually kept a promise in.

And what does that remark mean anyway? Is he saying that we will see him at church service every Sunday? Should that give the nation courage? Should I be reassured or terrified by that prospect?

So it seems Governor Perry’s confusing soundbyte has raised more questions than it answered.  Personally, I am not comforted by a remark that reminds me of an arrogant superhero bellowing from the skies, “Here I am to save the day!”

Who says we need a politician to “practice his faith”? It seems to me that we need a politician to keep his word and effect change, particularly for the indigent. We need a politician who loves God and humanity more than the sound of his own cognac-smooth voice. We need a politician who stutters a little bit when he talks to remind us that he is, after all, just a man (in a funny red sheet).

Practicing faith (if such a thing exists) is not a matter of political duty or polarization. It shouldn’t be a sudden outburst amid a lucrative political campaign nor a convenient genie that is summoned to rescue us when things get tough or make us look good.

It’s no wonder religion has such a hard time finding a place in politics when it’s spirit is continually invoked by the down and desperate.