Politically Taking God's Name in Vain

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Deuteronomy 5:11

Nothing frustrates me more than arguments made by Christians that we are somehow an oppressed group in the United States. Rick Perry’s latest ad is an example of what drives me so crazy about a politician pandering to some Christian voters who are ignorant enough about the facts to believe him. Oftentimes when discussing taking God’s name in vain, people are referring to those who use “God” or “Jesus Christ” as a curse word. However, I would submit that attempting to use God to falsely represent facts and to fake rage for a political argument is just as sinful. Worse, it creates an environment where actually sharing the Gospel becomes more difficult, because many people’s ideas about Christians come from people who argue as Perry does in this ad.



Myth: Obama is Waging a War on Religion
Seriously? Does Perry really think Obama is waging a war against religion? Never mistake a difference in political views as a war on religion. In America, we have no idea what a "war on religion" looks like. This charge by Perry is laughable if I didn't think many people will believe it. For anyone who questions Obama's Christian faith or his respect for religion, listen to Obama's "Call to Renewal" Speech given in 2006. Or see his White House celebrations of religious traditions, like Hanukkah, Easter and other celebrations. Christians can disagree with each other politically without accusing each other of "waging war." Perry references prayer in school (decided in 1962 by the Supreme Court when Obama was 1) as an example of Obama's war on religion. He also cites allowing homosexuals in the military as an assault on religion. These are political differences, not a war on faith. It's a shame that Perry has become so desperate as to resort to these accusations.

Myth: Kids can’t celebrate Christmas.
Where are kids not celebrating Christmas? Are students in school on Christmas day this year? No? You mean they’re off for two weeks to celebrate Christmas? This can’t be! Perry said we can’t celebrate Christmas. Oh, it’s described as a “Winter Break” so therefore they can’t celebrate Christmas? Calling it a winter break forces kids not to celebrate Christmas? That’s so ridiculous. And what are all these kids giving their teachers as presents this time of year? Winter presents? What are all the food drives and toy drives held by schools and organizations for? Winter Preparedness? Has Obama blocked "all-Christmas" radio waves from entering the schools? In order to avoid lawsuits and to include other Americans such as Jewish-Americans, Muslim-Americans, and others, school districts may refer to Christmas with the more generic “Winter” term, but why do some overreact and say that is somehow a war on religion? It's simply being respectful. When Perry says that kids can’t celebrate Christmas, he is either lying or ignorant. He’s also misrepresenting history and attempting to divide the American public.

Myth: Kids can’t pray in school
The Supreme Court ruled in Engel v Vitale that schools could not lead a compulsory prayer. It says nothing about children not being allowed to pray. Children pray in school every day - just show up on a test day. Or during the week when students gather during off-times to pray. Teachers pray in school every day. There are many teachers of faith who pray for their students by name every day. No one can stop a teacher from being in prayer for their students. Since when did Jesus require Christians to pray out loud over a speaker at the beginning of the school day? I seem to remember Jesus talking about entering a closet to pray. It is simply false to say that kids can’t pray in school. It’s a shame this falsehood continues to be told by Christians who should know better. One who believes God can be “taken out of school” or any other public place simply believes in a small god. One who is upset that a formal prayer can't be said at the beginning of the class day by the entire class misses the purpose of prayer in the first place. The moral decay in our society has no connection to whether students are led in a prayer before the school day. Instead of fighting for symbolic political victories, Christians should exert Christ’s love through their communities.

As a Christian myself, commercials like Perry’s make me sick to my stomach. It’s an attempt to falsely enrage a group for a political vote, and unfortunately, for some it will work. Perry’s ad misuses God’s name for political purposes. He cheapens Christian faith in the process. Hopefully, Christians will reject the false premises in the commercial and instead allow their words and actions to be a testimony to the love, mercy, and grace found in Jesus Christ.