Does Conservative = Christian?

It's primary day in Florida, and the American Family Association (along with other such groups) has rolled out its voter guide. As much as I support many of the issues championed by the AFA, this year's guide reveals the ongoing habit that such groups have of confusing and conflating biblical issues with conservative political issues. The end result is that, for all appearances, the AFA has sold its soul to the GOP and squandered an opportunity to be a prophetic voice to both political parties. What are the eight issues they consider crucial in this year's election?

• Abortion
• Gay marriage
• Gun rights
• Freedom for businesses to not hire homosexuals
• Limited taxes
• Opposing gay pride celebrations
• Supporting the Iraq war
• Opposing gay-friendly school curriculum

Beside the fact that the guide unwittingly trivializes the horror of abortion by placing it among issues such as tax cuts and gun rights, it is silent on any mention of the death penalty (which Christians can defend or combat using Scripture), the environment or immigration (both of which Scripture has something to say about) or what any of the candidates intend to do to steward US resources toward alleviating some of the world’s problems.

Now I hate taxes as much as the next guy (and recognize the government's financial incompetence), but Scripture says little about taxes beyond “pay them." And yes, only the most naiive believe that removing guns from civilian society will eliminate crime. However, many reasonable Christians can make a case for gun control--particularly the mother in inner-city Philadelphia who thanks God every time her child comes home from school in one piece. Similarily, many reasonable evangelicals disagree with the war--with biblical substantiation.

The end result is that the AFA places people in the awkward position of embracing conservative political positions (guns, taxes, war) if they want to engage serious moral issues (the sanctity of marriage and abortion). With this type of rational inconsistency plaguing Christian lobbying groups, no wonder abortion has remained legal for 35 years!

The AFA has a mission to “motivate and equip citizens to change the culture to reflect Biblical truth and traditional family values," but it seems that they end up reinforcing stereotypes of the religious right and supporting a conservative political platform in the guise of family values. It ultimately hurts the cause of those of us who, like them, would like to see a “change in the culture.”

A voting bloc that is this predictable will ultimately end up being taken advantage of, as it cravenly sacrifices moral truth for political expediency.