Should religion be involved in politics or do we disassociate our faith from politics and government especially when going to the voting box?
In today’s Gospel the Pharisees plot how to trap Jesus in His speech. They present a dilemma to Him that can't be solved with a yes or no.
If Jesus says it is lawful to pay the census tax, then He will appear to be a Roman sympathizer and will discredit Himself in the eyes of the Jews who saw the Roman rule of Judea as an intolerable burden. If Jesus says it is not lawful to pay the tax, then the Herodians will report Him to the Roman authorities for instigating a tax revolt.
Jesus knew they were testing Him and asked them to show Him a coin for the census tax. By producing the coin used for taxes, the Pharisees are publicly exposed as hypocrites. They may oppose Roman taxation in principle but apparently pay it just like every Jew.
On one side of the coin, had the words "Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus". On the other side, it declares Tiberius to be "High Priest". Obviously, he was not divine nor a High Priest. It is ironic the coin, with these two inscriptions, is being shown to the One who is truly the Son of God and the Eternal High Priest.
Jesus is able to avoid the trap of the Pharisees by making a distinction between political obligations and religious obligations. Paying taxes does not compromise of one's duties toward God, nor does serving God exempt one from supporting the civil government. Jesus implicitly subordinates the claims of Caesar to the claims of God. If the Roman coin bears Caesar's image, then it belongs to him and should be given back to him.
Does faith play a role in politics and in government? Or are we to disassociate our faith from politics and government?
We are Christian at all times. Jesus said, “Whoever denies me, denies the one who sent me.” And the decisions at ballot box affects not only us, but all are affected by the political leader for whom we vote.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2240, Catholics have a moral obligation to promote the common good through the exercise of their voting privileges.
God has given us the freedom to choose between right and wrong. The freedom to choose to love Him and serve Him or the freedom to reject Him. We have the freedom to choose candidates which will use their authority in a good moral way or choose candidates who will abuse their authority, wreaking havoc on the common good.
The Holy See said, “Democracy must be based on the true and solid foundation of non-negotiable ethical principles, which are the underpinning of life in society.” By these words it is clear ethics are the foundation of the life of the society. So without moral principles guiding democracy, society can have grave problems and even lose touch with the common good.
The Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics, states, “The choice of voting for particular candidates often times involves issues of morality. On most issues that come before voters or legislators, the task is selecting the most effective policy to implement or apply good moral principal.”
Catholics have an obligation to vote with a formed conscience and knows the moral issues of the day and how candidates will vote on the issues. Some issues are such that one may never vote for because they are intrinsically evil. If we permit the evil to grow by not voting according to our conscience, it can do serious harm to society and innocent people.
2000 years ago, crucifixion was a common way of executing criminals. Suppose 2000 years ago, people could choose legislators. And suppose legislators could determine whether or not Christians who refused to worship the emperor would be crucified. And suppose one legislator supported crucifixion, while another legislator was against crucifixion. Which legislator do you think the Christians would vote for?
Do you think they would vote according to their family tradition, in accord which party they belonged? Or do think they would vote to eliminate crucifixion for Christians who refused to worship the emperor?
The Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics identifies five issues involving non-negotiable moral values in current politics: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual marriage.
By following these moral values, it helps narrow the list of acceptable candidates, whether they are running for a national, state or local office.
The days are gone, where we could vote only according to our political party or our family’s voting tradition. Years ago, we could do this, but today there are moral issues which are very serious and non-negotiable.
At times political leaders overstep their God given authority. Some have attacked human dignity, violating natural law which demands innocent human life and liberty protected. The times we live in, Christians have a duty to boldly insist while Caesar is owed his due, we won’t stand by and silently watch politicians make laws which harm society and offend God.
We should take seriously the obligation to vote and the obligation to vote for candidates who will help bring about a Culture of Life and Love.
If you pull a coin from our pocket, what does it say on it, “In God we trust.” July 30, 1956 (National Motto): Congress passed a joint resolution declaring "In God We Trust" to be the official national motto of the United States.
Let us stand up for God and for our faith. In a certain way God trusts us and wants us to vote in accord with our Catholic faith.
There are some things more important than money and the economy, for example: Life and Religious Freedom. I pray you will vote in accord with your Catholic faith, by way of a formed conscience. Vote for Family. Vote for morality. Vote for Life. And Vote for Religious Freedom. Vote against Immorality, Communism, Socialism and Marxism.
May we render to God what belongs to God, including our right to vote in way in God want us to vote to help all Americans. And may we turn to the Virgin Mary and ask Her to pray for the upcoming election.
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