Religion and Politics: They Should Mix

If anyone was up on the politics of his time, it was Jesus. The gospel, as we know it, was one big lesson in getting civically engaged – standing up for those people who didn’t have a voice, questioning the status quo. So it’s always disheartening to read yet another study about how youth are disengaging from the democratic privilege of voting. This new study comes out of the United States, on the eve of  the first presidential debate this evening. Even here at home, the entry of Justin Trudeau into the Liberal leadership race should make for some interesting political news. But this survey out of the Pew Research Centre, shows that young Americans, at least, aren’t tuning in: the percentage of those under 30 who are following “campaign news closely” is about half the number (to 18 per cent) during the last presidential election, and fewer young voters say they plan to mark a ballot when election day arrives. And before you say, well, those are American numbers, Elections Canada has found the same trend here.

Now many pastors tend to steer away from politics in the pulpit (a debate for another time) – but this is an area where we shouldn’t be quiet, especially when encouraging civil action in our youth. It’s part of our job to preach the clear link between being up on current events and being able to change society for the better. And there’s lot of fodder out there, to discuss with your youth (think Mitt Romney’s now infamous speech about the 47 per cent of Americans who just want government handouts). Not the least of which should be: what’s their obligation as citizens? Knowledge, as they say, is power.

If you want to check out the study, here it is: http://www.people-press.org/2012/09/28/youth-engagement-falls-registration-also-declines/