It has been disheartening to witness religious rhetoric become increasingly intertwined with political rhetoric. Defending a political party is interchanged with defending God. Freedom of speech is equated to freedom of religion.
While freedom of speech has a connection with freedom of religious expression, communicating a political ideology is not the same as expressing religion. God does not belong to a particular political party. Yet people of faith often assume that God favors a specific political ideology.
This becomes problematic when people feel compelled to defend political platforms. It soon is equated with defending God. When political rhetoric is filled with insult, offense and abuse, the defence of God is laced with the same negative attributes. And that is concerning. Any abuse, whether physical or verbal is inappropriate when wanting to defend God.
In fact, the very notion that God needs to be defended should be questioned. The belief that God needs to be defended contradicts the belief that God is all-powerful.
Jesus clearly dismissed the notion that the kingdom of God should be physically defended. Jesus did not resist the pain and death of his purpose. Scripture described Jesus as a lamb led to be slaughtered (Is. 53:7).
Jesus did not call his followers to protect the movement. The disciples were not called to arms. In fact, when Peter did lash out in defence as Jesus was being arrested, Jesus rebuked him for doing so (John 18:10). Jesus displayed radical inclusion, acceptance and forgiveness throughout his ministry, death and resurrection. No harboured feelings of hatred, revenge or unforgiveness.
Yet people of faith continue to feel that defending the One who rejected protection is a noble act of devotion.
It is difficult to understand how those who worship a forgiving God who loves without condition or reserve can disregard others in the name of this God.
No political party, ruling government or dictatorial ruler can prevent people from loving their neighbours. Even a ban on religious expression cannot prevent God’s people from boldly displaying non-verbal acts of expressing divine love and compassion.
I do think the world is in need of actions that defend belief in God. I think our societies are better when the worship of God is preserved.
But the best defence for God is by living lives of love, compassion and acceptance. When God’s people regularly display these attributes, the existence of God is defended and the belief in God is justified