My brothers and sisters in Christ,
On Thursday, I took an action which some of you have applauded and to which some of you have thoughtfully, respectfully and reasonably made objection. In publicly endorsing a candidate in the coming primary, I have attempted to do what I hope all of YOU will do, exercising what I see to be the rightful role of religion in public, political discourse: review the values you hold as a person of faith, survey the candidates for the one who best embodies those values, and then work as a part of the political process for the election of that person -- no matter who the candidate or what the party.
Many will say that religion and politics don't mix. I would counter that religion and politics MUST mix. But not in the way we have seen from the religious right. We are not attempting to force our beliefs on anyone else; we are not trying to move toward a Christian theocracy, where the tenets of one brand of Christianity are imposed on the electorate, but rather we are seeking to have our Christian beliefs and values INFORM our politics and our political decisions.
Let me be clear: I don't care which party or which candidate you choose to support. That is YOUR business. But I do encourage you to contemplate the values you hold as a Christian before deciding, making sure that the person you support is commensurate with those values -- noting, of course, that NO candidate is perfect or even close to it, humankind and politics being what they are. There is no candidate with whom you will always agree, no candidate who perfectly embodies those values. But politics is the art of the possible, and we must make choices among those candidates presented to us.
I believe that our country stands at a threshold as it faces an uncertain future. I believe that we need a way out of the polarizing atmosphere within which we try to have a civil discourse about the nation. I believe that we need to look at the future -- not of one party or another, but of the country. I am looking for a candidate who has a vision for reconciliation in this country, not further polarization. Reconciliation is a Christian value. I believe that we must end the demonization of our enemies, whether they be members/candidates of the "other" party, or our "enemies" around the world. It is time to worry less about narrowly "winning" a vote, and work more to achieve a consensus about how this country needs to move and act, both at home and abroad.
As for the HOW of my announcement -- and this is very important -- I have checked all the IRS regulations about what I can and cannot say as a religious person: I (or any of us) can say anything I want as a citizen -- free speech-- as long as it is not from a pulpit, not at a church meeting or gathering, not in a church publication, and as long as I do not attempt to speak, or insinuate that I am speaking, for the church or the diocese. To that end, you will never hear me speak in a pulpit, on our website, in the Episcopal News, or on a visitation, about any candidate.
To that end, I began my interview with the press emphasizing that I was speaking as a private citizen, and in no way was speaking for anyone but myself. I also said that I thought EVERY religious person ought to take stock of the values he/she holds, find a candidate -- OF WHATEVER PARTY -- who best embodies those values, and then work for him or her and become a part of this important civil discourse. In NEITHER my own comments, NOR in the questions put to me, were the words "Episcopal" or "Diocese of New Hampshire" ever used.
I willingly grant those who disagree with my decision the truth that in some ways, because of my public role, I will never again be just a "private citizen." Because of that, my remarks and choices as a private citizen are more likely to be reported than the comments of others. I don't believe that such a circumstance means that I should keep silent. Some, even many, of you may disagree, and I understand that.
But the issues which face us as a nation are MORAL in nature, and morality is our purview! Think of the questions that face us: Should we intervene in the genocide going on in Darfur? What to do about the ever-widening gap between rich and poor, in this country and around the world? What is the most humane way to extricate ourselves from Iraq (not to mention the question of whether or not it was moral to preemptively attack in the first place)? How do we adequately protect ourselves from the threat of terrorism without losing our civil rights, or our soul? How can the richest nation on earth not provide healthcare insurance/coverage to the 45 million people who currently have none? Are these not moral questions, as well as political ones?!
I think we should ALL get involved in politics. Just as "liturgy" is the worshipful work of the people, so is "politics" the work of the polis, the people, the body politic. As people IN the world, we must assume our rightful role in helping shape the choices we make as a nation, as citizens of the world. For me, especially in New Hampshire, with its important role in the primary process, this includes getting involved in the political process.
In the end, I do not know whether or not my public announcement was right, or good, or helpful. I know that some of you feel it was inappropriate to do so. I came to my decision over a long period of time, after much thought and prayer, understanding and regretting that I could have written or announced my general and unspecific hope that everyone would take their civic duty seriously and get involved -- and neither you nor those outside our community would have even noticed or cared. Another ho-hum, bland approach to this important notion. In making this announcement, I hope to spark a lively conversation -- NOT about one candidate or another, but rather about our call as Christians to affect the world/nation/state in which we live, be that as a Republican, Democrat or Independent. We will disagree on candidates and approaches to the issues. Nothing wrong or fearful about that! We will prefer different economic and diplomatic strategies, and the candidates who propose them. And then, as good citizens, we will support and respect the will of the majority. That is what is great -- even miraculous -- about America. But let's not leave the connections between our faith and our politics to those on the Religious Right.
I am happy to hear back from you -- positive, negative or some of both! But let's have the conversation as religious people as we search for the best candidate whose policies seem best to reflect real Christian values. Let's recognize that the major issues that affect us in this country are MORAL issues, as well as political. Let's do all we can to bring our faith to the public debate, not in an attempt to impose our beliefs on others, but to witness to the fact that our faith informs our worldly choices. That seems to me to be the APPROPRIATE role of religion in public discourse.
Your brother in Christ,
+Gene
