POLITICS AS VOCATION

 

A Christian who is a politician. That may sound like an oxymoron. On the other hand, living in the Bible Belt, one might think it is a requirement. The Legislature starts each session with a prayer; every organization's banquet, breakfast, and meeting starts with a prayer…

 

What is the obligation of a Christian in political life?

 

In Christ's own words, to love God with all our hearts and all our minds and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is an unmistakable message. The Bible is full of examples in which Christ tells us, directly or through parables, what is our duty.  What better place than the Legislature to carry out the commandment to love our neighbors, in the name of all the people of the state?

 

On a personal level, I read the Bible every day, attend church on Sunday and pray, as best I can in my feeble understanding of what prayer should be. Does it carry over to my work in the Legislature? I like to think it is what informs and motivates me in my work in Raleigh. In fact, I often wonder why everyone in the Legislature doesn't see things the way I do. How can our budget cut crucial funds for the disabled, poor, and elderly? I think to myself, as the Chaplain calls on us to mind the poor and weak in our midst, "Yes, listen to that message, all you who vote to cut their funds." How can anyone vote for tax loopholes for wealthy corporations and ignore the needs of folks on Medicaid? How can my colleagues vote for businesses to escape environmental regulation? How can people take huge campaign contributions and not expect to have to give favors in return? How can anyone vote against the ban on the death penalty for the mentally retarded?... 

 

What are the pitfalls that beset a Christian who is a politician?

 

First, there is love of power. The Legislature is a place of large egos and a large power struggle, and for good reason. Because if you have no power, the chances of getting bills enacted are minimal. And then there is flattery. Legislators are truly the emperor with no clothes. The staff treats us with the greatest deference and for good reason: legislators pay them. We tell them what to do, and the threat of losing their job if they cross an important legislator is real. It is easy to get puffed up when people think its a big deal when you join them for their function. Or when people thank you for your

efforts in the Legislature, even though it is our Christian duty. We always have to remember, it is not we who are important. We can be easily replaced. The mission cannot. Finally, it is not always easy in a secular context to be open that my choices are based on my Christian beliefs.

 

How do I reconcile these dilemmas of political life and the Christian life? Back to the Bible -- "Walk humbly before your Lord." Daily confession: "Forgive us our trespasses." Put God before expediency; live by what I learn from the Bible and my church life; and forgive, both myself and others, when choices and actions are not the Christian principled ones we should make. And constantly, to keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, love your neighbor as yourself, walk humbly before your God, and forgive us our trespasses.

 

BY ELLIE KINNAIRD, NORTH CAROLINA STATE SENATOR, 23 DISTRICT