Love and Law

Common advice oft given is not to talk about politics or religion. These, after all are the most controversial subjects. It’s safer to talk about the weather. “It’s hot in Texas, but we hope it cools off soon.” It’s safer to talk about sports. “Did you know my current school, Texas State University, used to employ live mascots at the football games? Yeah, Bobcats! I hope the other team was so scared they lost. Or maybe the Bobcat gets to eat our team captain for poor performance.” This kind of talk is safe. It’s comforting like a warm mocha on a rainy fall afternoon. It’s also boring. So, let's  bring out the spicy hot red button political issues and in case that doesn’t give you indigestion, top it off with some vodka strong spiritual talk.

It’s time that the main priority for politicians became not enforcing religious values, but rather good governance. I’m not saying that morality and politics are separate. George Washington is correct: religion helps support morality. Yes, the government has a benefit in supporting morality. But where that line gets drawn is hazy for some and clear cut for others.

I used to be far right politically. I mean I believed that the government could create laws that would promote a moral society. I believed that if a politician only wrote the right laws based on Chrisitianity, then America would be saved and we would all go back to the happy picture of the 1950’s that is “I Love Lucy,” and “Leave it to Beaver.” Now, dissecting those two T.V. shows would take a team of anthropologists and psychologists, and likely the students of my former college composition class who must discuss such lame topics, but suffice it to say the characters seemed real happy.

In the West we have a Judeo-Christian ethic. Our laws have some of their origin in the Old Testament. This is why there is less corruption in the West than in other parts of the world- the principles of not stealing and lying are important to us Westerners. So yes, not stealing, not lying,  not murdering, these are important. So is not committing adultery, fornicating and having homosexual relations. But here is the catch- what do we take and what do we leave from that Old Testament? Do we stone people for adultery? Say slavery was okay because it was considered an acceptable part of culture back then? Most reasonable folks would answer no to both of those questions. So, while Christianity does change a culture it is introduced to, that is where change must occur, within the culture. Christianity is not now and was never meant to be a trickle down process where people follow it's dictates because someone in authority made them do so.  Behavioral change doesn’t happen because someone somewhere wrote a law saying that something is or is not acceptable. Behavioral change happens in one’s emotions and spirit and emanates to their actions. This is why those who have been hurt, trampled on and abused must have their hearts repaired before they can see themselves living healthy lives.

So my challenge to Christians is this. Let’s start living by the laws that sum up all the other laws. These laws aren’t written by the U.S. Congress, but I guarantee they are the best ever. 1) Love God 2) Love others as you would have them love you.

We can no longer waste the Church’s precious energy fighting costly political battles and alienating those who are far from God by seeking to regulate their behavior. It’s a failed strategy that continually fails. Rather, let’s seek to live in a society that expresses tolerance for all faiths, but demonstrates that the faith that offers the Way, the Truth and the Life, is one that is attractive. Love people. Today, do just that. Show you love. Show them that you love others 100% right now even if they never change. Because that is the unconditional love God has for you.