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The Essence Of Representative Government

Scott Elliott links to a well thought out critique of conservative, politically-active Christians by David Harsanyi and provides this quote from the piece:

I am in favor of gay marriage rights, but guess what, I’m in the distinct minority. Every statewide initiative against gay marriage passes — overwhelmingly.

Too bad. I’ll have to try to convince more of you. (Emphasis added)

Scott agrees with Harsanyi (not on the issue of gay marriage, but on the tactic of persuasion) and says this is what representative government is all about — “If laws, enacted or proposed, aren’t to your liking, don’t belittle or disqualify the proponents of the laws; rally support for your ideals. ” Scott then addresses the criticism of many on the Left (and some on the Right) that Christians want to impose their beliefs on others.

The phrase “impose your beliefs” or “force your beliefs” on the rest of us is used time and time again to silence those who believe as I do in a certain set of values.

The fact is every single person who is politically active has an idea of how things should be and what laws should be passed. Every one of us attempts to pick politicians who will advance our world view. This is not isolated to Christians. Environmentalists, homosexuals, the rich, the poor, women, men, minorities, all have laws they want to see enacted – many times in direct opposition to what other people want. And they want other people to abide by those laws, regardless of what the others believe…

…That’s the way the republic is designed. That’s what “self-governance” is all about. When you say to Christians, “that’s ok for you to believe, but don’t impose your beliefs on the rest of us,” what you’re really saying is “it’s ok for some people to impose their beliefs but not for others.”

The truth is Christians who are politically active (and anyone else, for that matter) are simply trying to affect behaviors (which is what laws do anyway) without necessarily affecting beliefs. Every group has a set of behaviors they want imposed on everyone else, otherwise they’d have no agenda!

… in conclusion, let me say this. I have no problem with you organizing, teaching, voting, debating and doing whatever else within the law to gain support for that in which you believe. If you are successful in gaining enough support to see your agenda implemented, good for you. If my views don’t support yours, shame on me if I sit by and let that happen without putting forth the same effort. But shame on you if you wish to disqualify me from competing for my agenda simply because you don’t like it or the doctrine from whence it comes.

Read the whole thing.

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