Religion in Politics

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 28, 1886

Religion in Politics.

"WE need more religion in our politics," says a writer in a new religious paper. If he had said, We need less of politics in our religion, the statement would have been clearly on the side of truth. While we may not say that true religion is antagonistic to earthly laws and governments, we do say that the politics of the present day are detrimental to the cause of Christ, destroying largely the interest in spiritual things.

The political world is most corrupt, and whoever, having the spirit of Christ, enters upon the arena of political life, must lose that spirit, and possess one that is selfish and worldly. No politician of to-day can be in possession of the spirit and religion of Christ. We do not say that no Christian can hold an office under the governments of the present time; for it is possible that somewhere a true Christian may be persuaded by the people to accept an office which he would not politically seek. Such cases, however, it must be acknowledged, are not easily found. The multitude of office-seekers makes it necessary for all who obtain offices to do those things which the Holy Spirit and the gospel of Christ will not sanction.

What we need is so much of the religion of Christ that there will be no desire in our hearts to enter upon a political life, or hold offices in the Government that are politically obtained.—Sel.