Does the faith of our political leaders matter?

The last few weeks have been very interesting in terms of the electoral race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. In spite of the views of some political pundits Barack Obama won overwhelmingly from  Mitt Romney, having over 303 in the electoral college vote and a significant lead in the primary vote.

The social networking sites have shown strong passion on both sides, and sometimes vitriolic statements have been made. However, Barack Obama has won the White House for another four years. He will have a difficult task ahead of him.

President Obama gave an inspiring victory speech. The cameras panned the listening crowd of faces and the enthusiasm of the crowd inspires hope for America and the world today. I cannot help but feel that the landscape of American politics has been changed for ever, due to the support of the Hispanic vote and the support of the youth votes. It will be extremely interesting to see the candidates for the 2016 election.

People of all races, ages and cultures stood side by side as they showed their appreciation for a president who himself represents a mix of race, religion and cultures. America voted to recognise and celebrate its diversity and reaffirm deep commitment and responsibility to one another.

This celebration was a turning point in American religion as well. The big religious loser was the spiritual abuse of power that seeks to diminish the rights and dignity of others. Two states (Maine and Maryland) passed gay rights ballot initiatives, Minnesota defeated an anti-gay amendment effort. Religious hierarchal leaders found that their ability to impose their religion on other Americans has dinminished and may never return.

In their place has risen a more grassroots coalition of Protestants, Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists who celebrate the worth and dignity of all persons including the LGBT community. This mix that now makes up America understands that though there may be disagreement on important matters of personal morality, there must be room for that disagreement. It is to be hoped that the new religious America does not seek to shame or denigrate anyone, but would embrace the power of spirituality and religious ethics to lift all people up and mobilise people for the common good.

This could then be the inspiration for movements of justice in the area of poverty, environmentalism and efforts toward a more peaceful foreign policy. Part of religious diversity is acknowledging that we can disagree on matters of theology, but can agree on matters of respect and mutual commitment.

Unfortunately it is true in America, Australia and New Zealand that there are those who still deeply resent the poor and the weak; viewing them as pulling down the country instead of recognising them as those who need a hand up.

The Jesus portrayed in the Gospels was a person who seemed to mostly be on the side of the marginalised. The Saviour was born of a young teenage girl betrothed to an older man. The message of peace and goodwill was first proclaimed to religious outcasts, the shepherds looking after sheep on the hills of Bethlehem. Jesus talked to a Samaritan women at the well (John 4), healed a man who was mentally unbalanced, healed the disabled, the blind, fed the hungry, empathised with those who were bereaved and so on. It follows then that those who claim to be followers of Jesus should have the same attitude toward people as Jesus did.

Does the faith of our political leaders matter?

Dr Brian Lee, pastor of the Christ Reformed Church, in Washington DC, recently posted a blog titled "Does the faith of our presidents matter?" http://dailycaller.com

He argues that although all US presidents have been labelled Christians, and while it is uncharitable to question their claims or sincerity, most would reject the claims of the Christian Gospel, the orthodox Christian views and the basic doctrines of the Christian church. Which brings us to the question: "Does the faith of our political leaders matter?"

The state is not a respecter of all faiths, but of none - there is no religious tests for higher office. God uses men and mwoem of all faiths - or no faith - to accomplish his purposes in history. The work of statecraft is not the work of salvation. In God's providence, the men and women who shaped our nations and served as its leaders and heads of state, managed to accomplish great things, despite them often rejecting God's saving work in Christ.

Multiculturalism

The Hon Chris Bowen is the Minister for Immigration in the current Australian Government. He made the comment in a speech published in The Sydney Morning Herald, 16 February 2011: "If Australia is to be free and equal, then it will be multicultural; but if it is multicultural it must remain free and equal."

He stated that our multiculturalism is underpinned by respect for traditional Australian values. Those who arrive in Australia are invited to continue to celebrate their cultures within a broader culture of freedom, but more importantly with repect. If there is any inconsistency between these values and individual freedom and the rule of law, then these Australian values win out.

If one accepts the benefits of a diverse population, then one has  choice: do you respect, embrace and welcome the cultures of those who have decided to make Australia home or do you shun them?

It seems to me that multiculturalism is about inviting every individual member of society to be everything they can be and supporting each new arrival in Australia in overcoming whatever obstacles they face as they adjust to a new country and society and allowing them to flourish as individuals.

On the other hand we should be concerned about extremism - whether Islamic or otherwise. Intolerant interpretations of religion do not align with Australia's values, principles or laws.

It is not right to assume that the majority of migrants arriving in Australia want to change Australia. Allegations of migrants wanting to come to Australia to convert the populace and turn it into a replica of their homelands ignore the truth: people come to Australia (and New Zealand) because to them, Australia (and New Zealand) represents something better.