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A Matter of Faith
Editorial By Region 8 Webmaster John Davis

Let me begin by saying that I am a Christian and proud of that fact. Based on my beliefs I feel that it is important for our country’s leaders to have faith as well and look to God for help on matters that affect our country. However, I do take issue with political candidates who try to use faith as a way to “muddy” the issues when elections roll around.

In 1999, George Bush published a book called “A Charge to Keep”, a political biography that told of his aimless wanderings until his religious conversion later in life. In “The Faith of George Bush” written by Stephen Mansfield and published in 2003, the subject of George Bush’s faith and how he uses it to make decisions is again lauded. I must admit that I have read neither of these books complete, only portions of each that are posted on the Internet. While I applaud politicians such as President Bush’s public professions of faith, I have to question their actions on many issues regarding faith.

Do they exhibit their faith in their daily actions, or is just a popular campaign theme? I would like to be able to feel they truly mean what they say, if their actions didn’t leave me questioning just how faithful they are. To me, a person displaying faith should let his actions speak for him. To gage this, let’s take a moment at look at men’s actions as opposed to their statements.

Abortion has become a stump favorite for many politicians, but talking about it and doing something about are too entirely different things. The highest number of annual abortions since the legalization in 1970 occurred in 1990, when over 1.6 million abortions occurred in this country. However, beginning in 1991-1992, that number began to steadily decline down to around 1.3 million in 1999. This number equated an 11% reduction over a nine-year period. However, the decline ended there with numbers remaining steady at 1.3 million over the past four years according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute (a non-profit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research). A recent study showed that in periods of economic downswing, the number of abortions increase. Historical data shows that the number one reason for having an abortion is to postpone childbearing, with 25% of all women who had abortions citing this reason. The number two reason at 21.5% is because they couldn’t afford a child. This data ties economic issues to abortion rates.

In James 2:20, we read “20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” Based on this verse, I have to question the works that prove the faith of some political candidates including George Bush. How closely do they follow the scripture with legislation that gets passed? When we follow their footsteps, do we see the same path that Christ would have taken? Let’s look at a few pieces of legislation that has been passed over the past four years and compare biblical references.

Acts 9:36
“36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, who was always doing good and helping the poor.”
The 2004 Federal Budget included proposals to freeze funding under the Child Care and Development Block Grant and the Social Serves Block Grant Programs. These programs provide day care assistance for low-income workers. Current projections show that one in seven, who need it, actually receive it. When we are constantly cutting funding to agencies that assist the poor, are we following the example of Tabitha?

Matthew 25:35-40
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37”Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40”The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Currently, 35 million, or 12.4% of Americans live below the poverty rate. This number is up from 11.3% in 2000. There are 12.2 million children living below the poverty rate, the highest number of any industrialized nation. In 2003, the largest number of new homeless cases 60% was a single mother with children. In 1976, President Ford requested 400,000 Section 8 vouchers to help poor families obtain housing. The 2003 budget ask for 34,000 Section 8 vouchers, even though poverty and homelessness was on the rise. The US Agriculture Department reports that from 2000 to 2001 the number of hungry in this country went from 8.5 to 9 million. As a matter of fact, every single indicator of the hungry, homeless and those in need show substantial increases over the past four years. School lunch programs, after school programs for latch key children, head start programs have all seen federal funding reductions.

Romans 12:7-9
“7If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 8If it is in serving, let him serve, if it is in teaching, let him teach; 9If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.

While we have cut funding to relief programs, the money saved has been funneled back into the pockets of wealthy Americans. Most indicators show that 64% of the tax cuts go to the wealthiest 5%. This reduction of taxation on the rich has been paid for by cutting services to the poor. Mark 12:13-17 has the Pharisees try to trick Jesus, inquiring if they should pay taxes. In verse 17, Jesus instructs them to “17Give to Caesar what is Caesar and to God what is God’s.”

There are many other issues that can be discussed back and forth regarding candidates and their faith and stand on religion. However, James 2:10 states, “10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

A person should be careful when they beat themselves on the chest and brag about their faith and what is deserved of them by others with faith. As a Christian, I believe that God uses men of power to accomplish his will. That doesn’t mean that these men are godly men. In John 18:10-11 Pilate speaking to Jesus says, “10Don’t you realize that I have power either to free you or to crucify you? 11Jesus answered,” You would have no freedom over me if it were not given to you from above.”

We all should pray for our leaders, while also praying that our leaders listen to God. Our works cant save us, but if we have true faith, then we will aspire to do the work of Jesus.