It is well-known that in the United States we have separation of church and state. All of us who were required to take Civics in high school also know that this constitutional separation prohibits the government from adopting a state religion and prohibits the government from interfering with the free practice of religion by its citizens and others who live here.
There is a profound difference, though, between separation of church and state and faith in politics.
It is simply absurd, in my opinion, that anyone elected to public office to make the claim that, “I personally believe _____, but it will not affect the political decisions I will make.”
It is equally absurd, in my opinion, for we, the citizens of this country, when we go to the polls or when we participate in public debate about matters of the common good, to claim, “I can’t impose my beliefs on others (translation: let my faith inform my decisions) or have civil law express my faith in some way. Therefore, I will not let my faith direct me in my public discourse.”
I am in complete agreement with our Constitution’s wisdom in the separation of church and state.
I also know that one’s faith should inform and guide political decisions one makes.
I issue a caveat here. Know your faith well. This includes the social teachings of the Church. It is rich and filled with real challenges. Your entire faith must guide and inform you, not just a single teaching or your particular issue of passion.
Ultimately, you cannot divorce your faith from your politics without rendering a gross injustice to yourself and to the integrity of the public discourse and the common good.
To separate your faith from politics is like a man taking off his wedding ring when he goes to work. His marriage will not last long, and he will ultimately not be able to live life in an effective and integrated manner. He will not be trusted.
Even those today who so loudly protest the legitimacy of faith in public discourse have an obvious “faith” in something that they are pushing with all their might. They just don’t want to admit the truth, which is that this “faith” is a religion to them; it is their god whom they are serving.
I serve another God. I pray I don’t separate Him from my daily life, yes, even if part of today may include politics and the public square.
