Faith and Democracy
A statement that offers Christians a better political theology.
Just heard from another Black Christian friend of mine that a white church that had been supporting his nonprofit pulled their funding because he was being too “political” (i.e. denouncing racism). The same thing has happened to me many times.
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Last week I had the opportunity to attend “Test of Faith: A Summit to Defend Faith and Democracy.”
It took place in Washington D.C., and I was unprepared for the sense of welcome and relief that came with gathering among dozens of people of faith who were just as passionate about preserving democracy and acting with urgency around this election as I am.
So often I feel as if I am screaming into the void about the threat of white Christian nationalism and the singular nature of the 2024 presidential election as it pertains to continuing the peaceful transfer of power in this country.
But I met or caught up with so many people who understand the dangers.
Each person had their areas of expertise and contributions and they all savored the chance to be a room where they didn’t have to face apathy or disbelief.
Here’s how the organizers described the gathering:
Christians in the United States and around the world have seen their faith in Jesus Christ distorted and leveraged in defense of authoritarian leaders who seek to erode freedoms essential to a thriving democracy. Some Christians enthusiastically praise dictatorial leaders and regimes.
We will meet in a moment of crisis. Yet we do so as people of God animated by faith, hope, and love. It is in this spirit that we reaffirm Christian support for democracy and invite all Christians and people of moral conscience to do the same.
Many thanks to Jim Wallis, Barbara Williams-Skinner and their team for making it happen!
The Statement on Christian Faith and Democracy
The summit served as the public announcement of “The Statement on Christian Faith and Democracy.”
I’ll tell you right now, I signed it.
The document is nonpartisan and very strong. I think every Christian church and faith communities of all types can agree to its principles.
Here’s a word from the introduction of the statement.
We are American Christians who deeply love our country. We affirm the right of Christians to bring our faith to bear on the public square for the common good and the flourishing of all humanity. We also welcome and affirm the rights of people of all faiths and of no religious faith to speak to this crisis; this document offers a distinctly Christian perspective, but the principles affirmed here are shared broadly across many religious and ethical traditions and by people of good will.
Notice, this is not a statement on Christian privilege.
It was written by a panel of Christians from different denominations and traditions, but it is not a document that places one religion above all others in our civic life together.
The Statement on Christian Faith and Democracy makes space for religious freedom.
The statement is separated into several sections including: On the Imago Dei and Human Dignity, On Human Sin, On Loving the Stranger and the Enemy, and more.
I homed in on the section talking about truth and integrity since those are virtues that apparently have been jettisoned by nearly half the population in this presidential election cycle.
Because truth-telling is integral to the pursuit of solidarity and the common good, we denounce the sowing of falsehood about election outcomes, the use of lies and half-truths by officials and candidates to distort truth, and the weaponization of fear and despair as a strategy to acquire or maintain power. As signers, we differ on many moral and social issues—on how to achieve a more equitable society, on war and foreign policy, on abortion and reproductive health, and on issues related to gender and sexuality–but we are committed to preserving a democratic space within which we can collectively discern the way forward with respect to these vital issues.
The statement concludes by saying,
In keeping with these principles, we, the undersigned, commit to advancing a multi-racial, multi-faith, multi-generational democracy, where every voice is valued and every person afforded the opportunity to participate fully and freely in the life of the community.
You can read the full statement and sign HERE.
Peruse The Statement on Christian Faith and Democracy. Is this something you feel you could sign? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.
Shirley Chisholm probably would have signed this statement. Her faith led to her to pursue justice via elected office. She became the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. She also became the first Black woman to seek the presidential nomination of one of the two major parties. Learn more about her in The Spirit of Justice.
Jemar, thanks for posting this! I signed it. Sounds a lot like what the PCUSA might describe as a Confession. In fact, the structure (this is what we believe/this is what it means) echoes Belhar, although the focus is different.
Awesome!