Wall of separation …

So political consultants Mara Vanderslice and Eric Sapp counsel Democratic candidates to keep mum about separation of church and state ("Democrats for Jesus," by Jason Byassee, Oct. 30)? Such disappointing and disturbing advice plays into the hands of the theocrats of the religious right and indicates that they are making inroads even among supposed progressives. Far better for Vanderslice and Sapp to urge candidates to explain to potential voters why church-state separation is good for the church as well as for the state.

When the church is in bed with the state or is beholden to it, it compromises its credibility and cannot in good conscience and with good grace exercise its prophetic function when the state goes morally awry. The church should be free to thumb its nose at the state when such thumbing is ethically warranted and in keeping with the injunctions of Jesus' gospel.

William G. Foster

Chicago, Ill.

The article "Democrats for Jesus" left me feeling quite ambivalent. As a Democrat and a Christian I have long believed that my party's concern to address poverty reflects my biblical conviction that politics must address the plight of the poor and marginalized. I also appreciate the concern for social justice across all boundaries of society, and Democrats typically are sensitive to issues of discrimination against minorities of all kinds.

My ambivalence is due to the trap that any party easily falls into when making a bid for the "religious vote." Common Good Strategies informs its politician-clients to stay away from the topic of separation of church and state, and yet this is precisely what needs to be front and center in any discussion of religion and government. Without that point indelibly made, we are destined to follow the Republican Party, which now finds itself in a power struggle between ideologically driven Christians and the rest of the party.

Christian faith is not about political power, which means that it ought never be a tool for the purpose of gaining political advantage--whether in an election or any other setting. Where its voice needs to be heard is in the public forum, speaking out on issues of peace and justice. This means that Christians running for office should focus on the ethical implications of their faith, rather than curry favor from voters by advertising their piety.

Paul Jersild

Norfolk, Va.

COPYRIGHT 2008 The Christian Century Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning