Murphey: When Faith Meets Politics

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Rep. Jason Murphey

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2012 legislative session, I wrote an article based in part on my observations of the last stressful days of that session.

In that article I explained how I have enjoyed the opportunity to see the governance process up close and from a legislator’s vantage point. I like to carefully observe and think about how processes work – and could work better – and I try to learn from the actions of the personalities involved in setting the policies that affect so many.

This includes taking note of how legislators operate under all conditions, especially the stressful conditions of the fast-paced legislative environment. I see where rhetoric meets up with reality.

Here is my observation which I shared in that 2012 article. There are plenty of legislators who wear faith on their sleeve. They use God in their campaign materials, participate and even organize public prayer events, and speak at the various church and faith-based groups which attend events at the capitol.

When I see a lawmaker publicly proclaiming their faith, I have learned to not take the proclamation at face value but to instead wait and observe that person’s actions.

Some of those same lawmakers also lose their temper when things don’t go their way; defend the dishonest legislative process status quo that allows legislators to hide their true position from their constituents; vote based on personality conflicts instead of on principle; and, retaliate against those who have slighted them. They may not hesitate to stick a finger in your face and tell you what they think when you fail to do what they want.

In short, their actions do not match their words. These politicians ignore two of the very foremost tenets of the Christian faith. They fall into the temptation to act deceitfully and fail to treat others as they would like to be treated.

This leads me to question whether these politicians really believe, or if perhaps some of them are playing politics with God’s name. I would suggest the latter to be a dangerous practice.

Before a politician campaigns on the platform of faith he must be prepared to consistently apply and follow the principles of faith in his own life.

Much like a preacher must straighten out his life before he starts preaching, a politician should do the same prior to entering the political arena on a faith-based platform. He must remain honest – not an easy task in the political environment – and treat others courteously even under the most difficult of circumstances. When a politician aggressively promotes his faith and subsequently acts in a way not consistent with its most important principles, he risks doing far more harm than good.

There is a tremendous calling for Christians to serve in government. Much of our founding values and our legal code were built on Judeo-Christian principles. These are the principles that have made our nation great and they are under attack like never before. I have observed instances where elected officials actually defend these principles and live their faith at the same time. But I have also noted they aren’t necessarily always the ones who push to the front of the line to declare that faith.

I have tremendous respect for those elected officials who proclaim their faith not through their words but through their actions: not an easy task in politics. They show the best way to demonstrate the importance of Christianity is to simply practice its principles no matter how stressful the environment, and people will notice.


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  1. Vernon Woods, 18 December, 2014

    Amen.

  2. vhutchison, 18 December, 2014

    Murphey is correct! Some of our legislators, for example, continue each session to introduce bills based on THEIR religious beliefs BUT SUCH BILLS ARE CLEARLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL So far, such bills have failed every year, but come close to passing. These bills are aimed at placing religion into science courses (ruled unconstitutional in all Federal Court cases, including two Supreme Court rulings). These bills have been authored or supported by by Reps. Kern, Blackwell, Bennett, Sen. Brecheen and others. A bill entitled ‘Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act’ has ben introduced every year for about seven years and, here again, has been introduced in Senate Bill 21 by Sen. Allen. The same bill was vetoed by Governor Henry, but others have fortunately died in committees. The unconstitutional bill would allow religion into many aspects of public schools. Such bills should be opposed by clear-thinking legislators. BTW, I am not anti-religion.

  3. StH, 18 December, 2014

    You left Rep. Paul Wesselhoft off of your list. And you are correct – these really ignorant and nonsensical bills distract the legislature each year. And then, if they pass, the Oklahoma taxpayers are stuck with legal fees for defending the laws (and we always lose).

  4. Richard Engle, 22 December, 2014

    If correcting bad behavior is a sign of Christian faith then every Christian fails, including Rep Murphey.

    Instead, if Christian faith is faith in Christ and His redemptive work then boasting in His grace (while acknowledging that the fruit of His Spirit is being produced – perhaps less rapidly than we ought allow) is appropriate. While we can’t tell which are sincere and which are acting for politics, God certainly can. We can watch for fruit, but not condemn as hypocritical those who are forgiven even if not yet fully transformed.

    As for me, I rejoice that Christ is proclaimed, in my weakness His strength, in fruitfulness His Spirit, and even in those who do so for ulterior motives His Word. In all cases He is proclaimed!

  5. Vernon Woods, 27 December, 2014

    Richard, I think maybe you missed Jason’s point a little bit.

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