In a sermon in 1800, American pastor John Mitchell Mason (1770-1829) said this about religion and politics:
That religion has, in fact, nothing to do with the politics of many who profess it, is a melancholy truth. But that it has, of right, no concern with political transactions, is quite a new discovery. If such opinions, however, prevail, there is no longer any mystery in the character of those whose conduct, in political matters, violates every precept, and slanders every principle, of the religion of Christ.
That religion has, in fact, nothing to do with the politics of many who profess it, is a melancholy truth. But that it has, of right, no concern with political transactions, is quite a new discovery. If such opinions, however, prevail, there is no longer any mystery in the character of those whose conduct, in political matters, violates every precept, and slanders every principle, of the religion of Christ.
But what is politics? Is it not the
science and the exercise of civil rights and civil duties? And what is
religion? Is it not an obligation to the service of God, founded on his
authority, and extending to all our relations personal and social?
Yet religion
has nothing to do with politics! Where did you learn this maxim? The bible
is full of directions for your behaviour as citizens. It is plain, pointed,
awful in its injunctions on rulers and ruled as such: yet religion has
nothing to do with politics. You are commanded "in all your ways
to acknowledge him." [Proverbs 3:6a] "In every thing,
by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, to let your requests be made
known unto God," [Philippians 4:6b] "And whatsoever ye
do, in word or deed, to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." [Colossians 3:17a]
Yet religion
has nothing to do with politics! Most astonishing! And is there any part
of your conduct in which you are, or wish to be, without law to God, and
not under the law of Christ? Can you persuade yourselves that
political men and measures are to undergo no review in the judgment to come?
That all the passion and violence, the fraud and falsehood, and corruption
which pervade the systems of party, and burst out like a flood at the public
elections, are to be blotted from the catalogue of unchristian deeds, because
they are politics? Or that a minister of the gospel may see his people, in
their political career, bid defiance to their God in breaking through every
moral restraint, and keep a guiltless silence because religion has nothing
to do with politics?
I forbear to press the argument farther; observing
only, that many of our difficulties and sins may be traced to this pernicious
notion. Yes, if our religion had had more to do with our politics; if, in the
pride of our citizenship, we had not forgotten our Christianity: if we had
prayed more and wrangled less about the affairs of our country, it would have
been infinitely better for us at this day.
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