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Robert S. Marcus
Professor Peter Amato
Theology 1000C
18 November 2014
The Churchs Role in American Politics
Religion is everywhere. Therefore, within an American political
system that promotes democracy and invites diverse national opinion,
it is inevitable for the Christian Churchs scope of influence to touch
the government in various ways. In fact, this has been the norm since
the 19th century. However, although the interaction between the
Church and government is quite unavoidable, many question the
propriety and legality of their relationship. On the other side,
proponents of religious influence in the shaping of public policy argue
that it is perfectly fair and necessary.
Over time, the Church has developed a rather prominent role in
the governments formation of public policy. In fact, its influence
extends beyond the average Americans understanding. Just like any
other special interest group, the Churchs primary objective is to
spread its beliefs by either supporting or opposing decisions as they
agree or disagree with such ideas.
I. Why the Church Seeks Political Involvement

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Before we discuss how the Church involves itself in politics, a few
questions must be addressed: What exactly drives Christians concern
for politics? What are they trying to accomplish?
In short, Christian political activists central mission is to spread
the Word of God throughout the nation. Within politics, this mission
focuses on the sustainment of Gods expectations for society and the
Christian enlightenment of Americans through governance. Primarily,
they insist on the regulation and insurance of morality, justice, virtue,
and faith for all people. Richard Doster, a well-respected Christian
writer, summarizes this mission very lucidly within his article, Politics:
Why Christians Must Be Involved:
[The Christian individual] must plunge into social and
political problems in order to have an influence on the
world, not in the hope of making it a paradise, but simply
in order to make it tolerable not in order to diminish the
opposition between this world and the Kingdom of God, but
simply in order to modify the opposition between the
disorder of this world and the order of preservation that
God wills for it not in order to bring in the Kingdom of
God, but in order that the gospel may be proclaimed, that
all men may really hear the good news of salvation through
the death and resurrection of Christ. (1)

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Thus, through the Churchs involvement in politics, it aims to make the
world accommodate to Gods desires as seamlessly as possibleone
step at a time.
II. Ways in Which the Church Influences Politics
The Churchs range of political involvement spans from firmly
direct and objective, to subtlety indirect and subjective. Moreover, the
Church actively pursues the shaping of public policy decisions through
a variety of different devices.
Nonetheless, lobbying is by far the Churchs most frequently
used tactic. Any influence on a politician or public official by a member
of the Church regarding acts, bills, resolutions, confirmation of
political appointees (including Cabinet members and judgeships), and
ballot initiatives or referendums, is considered a form of lobbying
(Churches and Political Lobbying 3). Through such an endeavor, the
Church may legally advance its ideas and beliefs vicariously through
another, more authoritative, individual or party.
Furthermore, abortion has been a well-debated issue in American
politics for some time now; also, one in which the Church notoriously,
and at times tirelessly, practices its lobbying abilities. Back in 2009,
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops successfully lobbied with
members of the House of Representatives, insisting on anti-abortion
language in the health care overhaul bill, which they claimed was
their offering of a moral framework, [or] ethical criteria to the

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legislation (Overby 2). Although this activity seems a bit more directive
or specific than they will admit, their success in slanting the bill in their
theological direction (in this case, toward Roman Catholicism)
effectively demonstrates the magnitude of the Churchs role in the
political arenaand more specifically, the value and power of lobbying
in the advancement of its political agenda.
In addition to the practice of lobbying, oftentimes the Church
employs its influence in a much more roundabout manner. In many
cases, the Churchs ideas and beliefs are conveyed subconsciously
through the personal beliefs of politicians or other public figures. This
form of influence is, however, one that is inevitable, as members of
[government], like everyone else, are the product of their upbringing,
education, and experience. Even judgments that appear to be based
on reasoned analysis are affected by such subjective influences
(Skene, Parker 2). In other words, it is merely human nature for one to
intuitively bias his/her opinions or actions toward internal beliefs.
Therefore, it is not only inevitable, but also ultimately embedded into
all aspects of decision-makingpolitics being no exception, of course.
By this logic, though, one can conclude that it is likely that all
ideologies and theologies will eventually influence the vote of a
politician; thus, playing a role in the development of public policy. In a
way, this equal opportunity for each special interest group suggests
that perhaps such bias is not necessarily corrupt or unethical, but

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rather a simplified method of representing the most popular view
amongst Americans. If, for instance, the roots of Christianity are most
prominent in the acceptance or rejection of a proposed bill in Congress,
one may plausibly assume that Christianity is likely the most prevalent
special interest amongst Americans, and therefore, deserves the most
attention and consideration in public policy.
III. The Legality of Christian Intervention of Politics
Despite the conventionality of the interaction between the
Church and government, many people argue its lawfulness in America.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion. However, this
does not mean that said establishment of religion may not influence
a law. Therefore, in that respect, the Church is entirely permitted to
influence a law, as long as the law does not specifically reference or
concern them.
Nevertheless, the extent to which the Church may apply its
influence faces some regulation. By law, a Church cannot involve itself,
by any means, with any candidate for public office; this includes
endorsing or opposing campaigns, publically communicating its opinion
of a candidate, or distributing anything that concerns a candidates
campaign. However, they are permitted to participate in nonpartisan
campaign activities as well as insubstantialor a minimallobbying
(Churches and Political Lobbying 5). Unfortunately, it is near

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impossible for the government to monitor individual organizations and
make sure that their activity is, in fact, insubstantial. Consequently,
many argue that, in general, the Church gets away with stepping
beyond its rightful privileges.
In addition to federal law, the Bible also provides some
guidelines for this debate. Similarly, the Bible advocates Church
intervention in politics to an extent, but agrees with the Constitution
that it must be limited; in other words, Christians should not advocate
the coercive power of the state to legislate morality, but might, with
caution, use the state to legislate justice Persuasion, not coercion,
marked Jesus ministry (Stapleford 1). The idea of legislating
morality points to Christians imposing their beliefs upon nonChristians through legislation. The Bible does not endorse this act, as
Jesus ministry sought to illuminate the Word of God and invite those
interested to join Himbut He never forced it upon anyone. Thus, it is
considered un-Biblical for contemporary Christians to do so.
Instead, the Bible authorizes the legislation of justice, or the
support of the less fortunate. Just as Jesus served the marginalized
throughout His missioncleansing lepers, healing paralytics, etc.
Christians are to promote the same through public policy such as
welfare, charity, and schools.
IV. Conclusion

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As long as the Church keeps its involvement in politics minimal
and in the promotion of justice, it is perfectly permissible by both
federal and biblical laws alike. However, once it becomes too involved
or forceful, its political role becomes unlawful. Regardless, the Church
has proven its effectiveness within the political arena, and will likely
continue to do so for years to come.

Works Cited
"Churches and Political Lobbying Activities." FFRF. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

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Doster, Richard. "Politics: Why Christians Must Be Involved." byFaith 4 Nov. 2014: n.
pag. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Overby, Peter. "Catholic Bishops' Lobby A Force On The Hill." npr.org. N.p., 13 Nov.
2009. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.
Skene, L., and M. Parker. "The Role of the Church in Developing the Law." Journal of
Medical Ethics: n. pag. Journal of Medical Ethics. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Stapleford, John E. "Turn Neither to the Right Nor to the Left: A Thinking Christian's
Guide to Politics and Public Policy." Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 16.1
(2004): 213-14. Proquest. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.