The Church in Politics

An article in the LA times online entitled “The Church steps into political fray in Spain” outlines the sticky issue of religion’s involvement in politics. Without endorsing a particular candidate or political party, Roman Catholic bishops in the country spoke out recently about their parishioners’ “duty to defend traditional values and to elect leaders “responsibly” when they go to poles Sunday.” They also “condemned many of the policies that have been hallmarks of the ruling Socialist Workers Party, such as abortion rights and same-sex marriage.” Their words were perceived by the Socialist Workers Party as “church interference” but this stance has long been characteristic of the views of the Roman Catholic Church. Has there suddenly been a violation of the concept of the separation of church and state?

While I certainly don’t support the idea of a church-run state, does this mean that religion should not play a role in the way people vote? In a representative form of government it is only natural that the people’s religious views, which may range from conservative Christian to Atheist, ought to be represented by their elected officials along with any other views the people hold. How does it follow that it then becomes some sort of crime when a religious or community leader asks the adherents to his or her faith or philosophy to find and support candidates who espouse similar values? Though the country allowing this level of freedom of speech and expression may run the risk of letting opposing beliefs or principles worm their way into its politics, it guarantees those freedoms along with the freedom of religion for its people. If the people of Spain are truly free and free thinking they should—and will—vote according to their consciences. They will vote to remain a free people.