As a pastor, I generally avoid politics. People of serious faith have different politics, and it is not a pastor's place to "advise" parishioners on which party or candidate they should support. There are, however, limits to non-involvement and, sadly, I have to draw that line at the presidential candidacy of Rep. Michelle Bachman (R - Minn) because of the way she herself overtly and frequently combines her highly ideological religious beliefs with her politics. Most politicians who have a serious faith, whether it be President Obama or candidate Mitt Romney, witness to their faith by the way they "play" politics. Bachman does more and in doing so distorts the Christian faith in ways that could have serious negative impacts for our nation and for the faith if she were ever to become president.But, rather than beat this drum myself, I recommend that RPK readers take a look at Alisa Harris' thoughtful editorial entitled, "My Take: I could have become Michele Bachmann." Harris grew up in Bachman's ideological milieu, exposes its weaknesses, and describes at least one way to move beyond Bachman's ideological idolatry to a place that is more faithful to the actual biblical message.
