Looking for a different way to kill time during your day?
Just conduct a Google search on the question “Jesus, A Democrat or Republican?” and you will find dozens of results.
With the presidential election campaign in full swing, voters across the country have posted blogs and Web pages dedicated to figuring out which political party Jesus would belong to if he were on Earth in human form today.
Some conclude that Jesus would be a Republican because many officials with the party (especially those elected since the so-called Reagan Revolution of the 1980s) place a strong emphasis on “family values,” and are opposed to abortion rights and marriages for same sex couples, which seem to complement the Bible’s strict condemnation against murder and homosexual activity.
Others conclude that Jesus would be a Democrat, given his sympathy for the poor and sick. They believe Democratic policies such as Franklin Roosevelt’s Depression era New Deal and Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society of the ‘60s fit squarely with Christ’s demand (in Matthew 25) to care for those in need: “As you have done for the least of these you have done unto me.”
Still, a smaller group believe Jesus would be a Libertarian, citing his belief in individual choice. Libertarians favor a reduction in government interference in the economic and personal matters of Americans, and believe the government should do nothing by force.
Likewise, Jesus preached his sermons and gave instructions, but never forced his followers to do anything, although he had the power to do so. He also seemed to endorse a strict separation of church and state, saying (in Mark 12:17), “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
The Recorder recently spoke with a few local pastors to see if they can determine which way Jesus would vote in this election:
“He would be independent of any political party today. When we look at his life we see that he neither sided with the Roman leaders or the Jewish establishment. He dealt primarily with his Father’s business, and that was it. He never got involved in the political haggling of the day. Today, if we were to try to push him into a political box Jesus would probably avoid the question altogether. He would probably say, ‘I am focused on my ministry and my father’s work.’
“It was the political climate that got Jesus killed, when the Jewish establishment demanded his execution and the Romans wanted to prevent an uprising. The Jewish establishment was concerned about maintaining its system, and the Romans wanted to keep their rule over Palestine, and Jesus seemed to challenge both objectives.
“Jesus wasn’t concerned about politics, but about getting people ready for eternity. That’s the same attitude churches should have today. We shouldn’t be concerned about government and what we can get out of it, but direct our concern to people. If we help the people get to where they need to be and help them identify choices, they will take care of the political questions.”
Rev. Samuel Sumner, Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church
“Jesus would be like he was during biblical times: He wouldn’t be a Pharisee or Sadducee, but would be himself. Which political party he would belong to is a question I wouldn’t dare try to answer for him. Honestly, I don’t think he would fit any of today’s political party models. He didn’t fit traditional political models then, and wouldn’t now.
“The closest he came to involvement in politics was condemning the Pharisees, when they added the 613 odd laws (or traditions) to the Ten Commandments. But that’s a lot different from being involved in the type of politics where someone runs for office. Overall, I think he would be independent. Not a member of an Independent Party, but independent in the sense that he would be above politics.”
Bishop Larry Hunt, Grace Apostolic Church
“Jesus wouldn’t be involved in politics today, because it can get too messy. We can’t equate Jesus with a particular political philosophy because he doesn’t make political choices like that. The Lord is greater than a political party, because our ways are not his ways. I think he would encourage the church to help people get registered to vote, then let him guide them as to who they should vote for. God is all powerful and sovereign, and he knows how this election will turn out.”
Rev. Fitzhugh Lyons, Pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist and President of Interdenominational Ministers Alliance
