Jesus as a third candidate in US elections
May 6, 2016
In the last 30 or so years the importance of Jesus in US elections have increased substantially. This is in a situation where Christianity– in the church going /family values sense– has seen a decline.
The number of birth out of wedlock has increased to more than 50 percent and that itself shows the weakening of traditional Church influence on American citizens.
But the campaigners particularly on the Republican side wants to project themselves as “true believers” and “Born again Christians”. Even the democrats can’t project themselves as agnostics and Obama visited his Church and showed that he is a “believer”.
Majority of number of births in the last year were that of non-whites and many are to first and second generation migrants. For Information Technology and University oriented Indians Unites States imply California and Boston –West and North –East.
But there are vast areas US populated by aging Whites in the Bible belt as well as what is called “home land”. Many of us may not have heard about South and north Dakota or even Kansas and South Carolina or Louisiana. The number of what are called red-necks in these areas are as much in abundance as Parthenium in Bangalore parks. Most are illiterate and do not possess any passports and would not know the difference between Iraq and India and also between Muslims and Hindus leave alone Sikhs.
This segment has several groupings like Gun lobby/tea party lobby/ Evangelical/Pro-life etc. Some of them are intersecting groups and most of them are angry. They feel “their” United States founded on the principle of Christian principles –which is contested by many –is lost and the reason for that is the liberals and homosexuals and Pro-abortion and “ghetto-blacks” groups. Now Islam is added as a new threat thanks to Trump.
The white ageing America cannot win elections for POTUS but can create enough local level damages. Jesus is now more like being “secular” in India—everybody says they are secular but nobody believes them. Same way every candidate in US claims he is a “Church going /believer in values of Bible” – none believes them.
Ted Cruz who has retired from the race on the Republican side—belongs to the Bible thumpers more for financing needs –Important to remember that US elections require millions of dollars of money and other than business groups the Church groups have become major source of Financing.
Hence that requires genuflection before these “born again” groups. These groups may not support a single candidate since each group has its own agenda and predilections. One thing which unites them all is the perception that US is not what it used to be. Most of “Jesus groups” are aging ones. The younger lot is not so enthusiastic. Women are less enthusiastic than men. Of course colored people like Latinos may be God fearing and Church going but may not share the views of the “Born agains”.
These “new age” Evangelical groups like Pentecostal/ Assembly of God are more fiercely Pro- Christianity compared to traditional Episcopalians and Presbyterians—The latter two groups had maximum number of Presidents in the last two centuries. It is interesting to know that Thomas Jeferson one of the founding fathers of the republic and the well known Abraham Lincoln do not seem to be ardent church goers. See Table-1.
These new age groups believe that US was founded on the principles of Bible and at present it is moving away from those ideals. But others are for more “secular” interpretation of the constitution where Church and state are separated. But even this group needs to exhibit its abiding faith in any one of the Churches. Very few are agnostics and exhibit it openly.
Europe has become much more agnostic and Church going as an activity is on the decline. In US in what is called bible –Belt going to Church is still popular. Interestingly there are black Churches catering to blacks with black priests etc. Even though Jesus would not be a white man –given his place of origin—he is always depicted as a white man on the cross even in black churches.
At least in the foreseeable future one cannot imagine a “non-believer” to become POTUS in the USA. You can be conservative or liberal or even progressive but not agnostic or atheist.
That is an interesting position of the most advanced and hi-tech country. The debate about homosexuality/abortion/pre-marital sex etc. are also about interpretation of bible and what was “Jesus solutions” to such problems.
The reason is simple. Corporate USA located at Bay area and Boston cluster may be “agnostic” or even “irreligious” but they do not constitute US society. US society is still represented by the old white lady from “Peoria” in Illinois who is the old world representative of all that is “rich” or “dumb” in US society depending on how you look at it.
This will only increase the frustrations of these groups and their inability to control White House and can give rise to individuals of these groups indulging in violence and mayhem.
The future of US belong to settlers of another dimensions –not that of Irish and Italians but that of Latinos /Chinese/Indians and even Vietnamese.
The Bible belt knows it and it is angry about it –But demography is destiny and it cannot do much about it.
Table-1 Religions of affiliations of US President
Religion
|
Number
|
1
| |
4
| |
3
| |
2
| |
11
| |
3
| |
7
| |
1
| |
2
| |
4
| |
1
| |
None specified (including Abraham Lincoln)
|
4
|
Total
|
43
|
__________________
Views Personal
______________________
R.VAIDYANATHAN
PROFESSOR OF FINANCE
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
BANNERGHATTA ROAD
BANGALORE
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