God Doesn't Pick Presidents

The wholesale conflation of religion and politics in the US is putrid, and should stop.

The conflation of faith and politics continues apace. It grows more odious which each claim made. The 2024 election season, which will end - mercifully - in a week, is as bad or worse than previous cycles. Both major party candidates are convinced electing them will help the country thrive. Beyond that, the vitriol has reached unprecedented levels. Each nominee and their most ardent supporters are sure a win for their opponent will mean the end of the American experiment. As such, they believe The Almighty has destined them for victory. 

It's rather putrid. In 2024, the line separating faith and political allegiance is all but entirely erased.

For years, criticism has largely been launched at the Evangelical community for their unquestioning loyalty to Donald J. Trump. It's not as if members of the Democratic Party don't attend religious services or belong to faith communities. But the data shows that while those who identify as "religiously unaffiliated" have increased across the board, Republicans are still more likely than Democrats to be religious. However, this does not mean Democrats aren't using faith-based persuasions in an effort to get out the vote. 

Donald Trump is considered by some to be evil. By default, this categorization places Democrats in a position of moral authority. The 45th president certainly has his share of issues, like routinely insulting others and lying, among other things. Those on the right side of the aisle shouldn't excuse these words and actions. And criticizing him doesn't mean one is sympathetic to Democratic policies. But assigning good and evil is a risky business, because fallible humans are involved. Branding one political candidate as anointed by God while assuming the other is a pawn of wickedness is bound to be wrong. This doesn't mean politicians and voters alike won't try. 

During a Sunday appearance at a church in Philadelphia, Vice President Kamala Harris said "In just nine days we have the power to decide the fate of our nation for generations to come." That kind of description almost infuses some sort of divine task into the American privilege of voting. It's a big responsibility, the "fate of our nation." It would have more impact if the American people hadn't heard those same - or similar - phrases in preceding elections. Surely, not every election can be the "most important." Harris continued "And on this day, then on this beautiful Sunday morning, I am reminded God expects us to help Him. We got work to do."

Needless to say, the help the current vice president has in mind is to vote for the Harris-Walz ticket. When Harris invokes faith and mentions an earthly duty to help God, she's only thinking of a vote for Democrats. She truly believes the help God is seemingly desperate to receive from us goes only one way.

The connection of faith to politics is so often discussed in terms of Trump and MAGA that it seems less threatening coming from another politician. Trump's own boorish behavior sullies any faith and politics combination. Less offensive candidates can get away with it even if their personal opinions and policy leanings contrast sharply with Biblical statutes. This is just one way Trump has tarnished his own brand and the brand of the Republican Party. But it doesn't mean Kamala Harris's statements aren't problematic. 

Anyone claiming, even subtly, that voting in general and especially voting for one candidate are measures of religious faith should be strongly rebuked. It is dangerous to use earthly political matters as a spiritual measuring stick.

It is one thing to say faith informs our politics. For those who consider themselves religious, faith is so integral to one's life that it's impossible for it not to permeate all areas. But politics should never inform our faith. The dividing line must be clear.

On July 13 during a campaign rally and speech in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump was injured by a would-be assassin who took the life of another attendee. Video of the incident shows just how close Trump came to being killed that day. To people of faith, such as myself, it appears there was divine intervention which spared his life. Quite frankly, there is no other explanation for it. But that is not enough to vote for a man I believe is wholly unfit for the office. The same goes for Kamala Harris, who I also believe does not deserve the presidency. With my lack of major party support, God is not wondering just what to do next. The same goes for the results on election day. It is human arrogance to believe God needs our help (and in such a specific way) or else he is unable to complete his work. God's power is not dependent upon human cooperation. 

The Trump team's highlighting of faith is much more loud and frequent than Kamala Harris's pronouncements. But whether it's subtle or forced, planting the idea that a good Christian will vote for x instead of y is a cheap mockery of all that faith is supposed to be. 

It's a powerful tool, chiding the audience into voting or support for a particular politician. It adds an air of infallibility and sincerity to the ones seeking elected office. In all reality, it's as deceptive as one can get. 

Kimberly Ross is a freelance opinion writer who has written political and cultural commentary since 2015. She has bylines at The Federalist, USA Today, The Bulwark, Arc Digital, and ACN Ireland, among others. She was a senior contributor at RedState from 2015-2019. She has been a contributor to Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential Blog since 2018 and frequently appears in Washington Examiner magazine. She is co-host of The Right Thoughts Podcast. She holds a BA in History with graduate work in political science. She lives with her husband and two energetic sons in the Southern United States. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @SouthernKeeks.