John McCain was on Saturday Night Live on the weekend, playing up the toe-to-toe fight between Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Keep it up to the bitter end, he encouraged them. He was having a good time, and his pastor confirms that he has a good sense of humour.Yes, McCain has a pastor and so does Clinton, and Obama is probably wishing he didn't. McCain's vanquished rival, Mike Huckabee, IS a pastor. The faith of political candidates is a big deal in the States, unlike pleasantly pagan Canada. I should be careful because Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a conservative Christian and the Green Party's Elizabeth May is a fairly liberal Christian. It's just that Canadian politicians realize that the public in this country doesn't want to hear about the personal faith of party leaders.
Why I wonder? The four American politicians I mention all feel that their relationship with the Christian God shapes who they are as individuals and leaders. I could take shots and ask how the Sermon on the Mount jibes with Ms. Clinton's willingness to smack down Iran and Mr. McCain's support of the war in Iraq, but neither of them claim to be Francis of Assisi. I read an article in the Christian Century on McCain's faith that you can find on the website for the magazine and it was helpful to know what makes him tick, spiritually. In both Obama's autobiographical books the glimpse of his faith helps form the picture of him as a person and possible world leader.
What do you think? Should we ask our politicians to "come out of the closet" spiritually or are we satisfied with keeping what they believe behind closed doors?
2 comments:
On a much smaller scale, the principal of our kids' school is a minister's wife, and obviously a woman of Christian faith herself. Although we don't talk much about it (it is a public school, after all) I find confidence from knowing her faith connection and believing that the daily decisions she makes are rooted in her training as a pricipal, as well as a Christian. I am interested in our politicians' beliefs, beyond their party's colours. How can they not affect their leadership?
Thanks Laura. There was a time, not all that long ago that teachers were required to be involved in a faith community. It was also considered an asset for politicians to be people of faith rather than a liability. It seems at times in the U.S. that faith is "put on," a little like millionaire candidates dropping 'g's to sound like everyday folk. Maybe the pendulum will correct somewhat and faith will be welcomed back into the public square.
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