Ryan ChartrandTuesday’s political display on Dexter Lawn left me with mixed emotions. I certainly agree with the designers of the display that Jesus has been hijacked by the Republican Party. The lawn posters made an accurate assessment about how many Republican leaders are unbiblical in their ideas about the poor, the environment, and war and peace.
However, the display’s prophetic voice was quickly overwhelmed by its partisan message. I think the clearly Democratic designers of the display make the same mistake as Republicans when it comes to claiming Jesus for their political party.
The truth is, Jesus would have been neither a Republican nor a Democrat. I wish the designers of the display would have illuminated the inconsistencies in the politics of the Religious Right and left it at that. In his recent New York Times bestseller, God’s Politics, Jim Wallis courageously seeks to persuade Christians from all political backgrounds that neither of America’s most popular parties has it right. He argues for Christians to be issues-based voters rather than party-based voters.
Partisan politics is dangerous because it plays the “us versus them” game and leverages club membership for arrogant and divisive purposes. Instead, Wallis encourages Christians to customize their political platform based on the issues, not based on personalities, power, or popularity.
As he would say, God is not a Republican or a Democrat!
Kevin Woodward
Civil engineering senior