I have never been in complete agreement with any president or a pope, regardless of party or theological perspective. From the most moral president of my lifetime (Carter) to the least – from the most progressive pope (Francis) to the most conservative (Benedict) – none of them has legislated or pontificated in ways that I have approved of 100%. Regardless of that, as long as the president was trying to do what was right for the entire country – as long as the pope was doing everything in his power to make the world a better place – I respected them. Politics in America are always imperfect, as is every religious institution and leader. I don’t expect America to be a Christian – or any religion – nation. I do, however, expect us to try to be good.
The recent smackdown between the president and the pope has been interesting to watch, and it is forcing some people to make decisions they probably never thought they would have to. This pope is having none of this president’s behavior, and the president is fighting back with the fervor of someone who thinks he has total immunity in all things. This president’s war against Iran is confronting the truth that Iran is an existential threat to the world, but the way it is being waged is inhumane, especially his threat to destroy an entire nation – which is a genocidal threat. On the other hand, Catholicism does not completely repudiate the need for war – I have had to explain Just War Theory to a lot of people recently – but it does try to promote peace and minimal mayhem in situations like this. The president and his supporters seem to not understand this – even the Catholic ones.
Many of the people chastising the pope for speaking against what they believe are political issues are the same people trying to force the 10 Commandments and Bible on public school students. They are the same people disrespecting Islam and progressive Christianity. As with any federal administration, every person of conscience and faith has to decide how much they will push against and how much they will agree with. It is the call of every believer in God to speak against that which is hateful and support that which is loving. I am ambivalent about this war against Iran – I know that they are a danger to the world, but I also believe there are steps that need to be taken before we reign fire on them. One thing the pope and I would probably agree on – there is a monster on the loose, and we need to restrain it before it destroys all of us. I wish more Evangelicals would feel the same way.
Prayer – Merciful God, encourage – push, even – those who follow You to speak up when people in power oppress others. Amen.