The OLD Philosopher – John M. Miller
An ancient unwritten social law is that one must never discuss either religion or politics in polite society. Fortunately (at least from my perspective), it is one of the most frequently breached social laws. Both religion and politics are indispensable cultural factors, and they need continually to be debated.
Religion and politics are essential to every culture and society that has ever existed. Furthermore, by happenstance I have been vocationally involved in religion for my entire adult life, and I have always had a powerful avocational interest in politics as well.
However, we must ask a question about each of these vital social activities. Do they exist for their own sake, or are they intended to serve a larger purpose than their own perpetuation? Are they means to an end, or are they an end in themselves?
Too many elected politicians believe that the primary purpose of politics is to get re-elected. They imagine they must serve in office as long as possible in order to do as much as possible for the people. That is a gargantuan self-delusion. They are elected to do the greatest good possible for the largest number of people possible for as long as they are in office. Realistically, they are limited to doing that only for as long as each term of office lasts. If they spend half their time in their first term trying to assure election to a second term, it is impossible to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
The same principle holds true for every religion. Everyone associated with any religion, whether clergy or laity, needs to understand that the primary purpose of religion is to serve God; it is not to serve religion. Religion exists for God; God does not exist for religion. Too many religious people are too devoted to religion and are too little devoted to God and His kingdom.
When either politics or religion are perceived to be ends in themselves rather than means to an end, they negate their fundamental purpose. Religion is even more guilty than politics in misunderstanding its raison d’etre. Somehow religious followers become convinced that God has granted them an institutional monopoly. Without them, they suppose, divinity is out of business. And so they try to convince everyone that they alone are in possession of the (usually) narrow truths of God. They proclaim that theirs is the one true religion, or the best brand of the best religion (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform; Catholic, Protestant; Sunni, Shiite).
In like manner, politicians may suppose that without them, government cannot function. The Republican Party or the Democratic Party are the be-all, end-all of American life, they presume.
When politics or religion accomplish their purpose, they serve humanity well. When they suppose they exist primarily for themselves, they fail.
Thus endeth my brief written observations on religion and politics.
- January 16, 2021
John Miller is Pastor of The Chapel Without Walls on Hilton Head Island, SC. More of his writings may be viewed at www.chapelwithoutwalls.org.