Written by M.A. and U., associates of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at Georgetown University
The past few years have seen a growing trend of Americans forming a relationship with Christ. There’s no doubt the American populace is troubled by a troubling political, cultural and social climate. Both Republicans and Democrats recognize the need to turn their voices toward a mission more meaningful than the partisan battles surrounding the Trump administration.
Despite the massive shift toward a Christian agenda — which has been dubbed a “Trumpist revival” — more Americans (52%) still affiliate with neither major party. This indicates a fundamental shift in how people think of party and ideological affiliations. Political consciousness is changing at a significant rate, suggesting that in the wake of Trump’s election, the public’s views on loyalty, alliances and even public apathy have shifted.
Some high-profile leaders, such as the Buddhist Dalai Lama, the Jewish rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Quaker Abigail Johnson, have boldly identified their non-affiliated status with Christianity to further their causes, largely free of the skepticism that regularly derails other faith groups. Benedict XVI called “the distinguishing feature of the Christian world” to be its “responsibility to the whole humanity.”
In contrast, many more have revealed a devotion to religious practice with little interest in politics and politics’ relationship with faith. Witnessable solidarity between believers is rare, even at the national level, to the extent that secular humanists in recent years have largely abandoned religious labels to distinguish themselves from the religious right.
So what difference does religious practice make? How should religious leaders respond to this growing tide of nonbelievers and wary political parties?
First, religion teaches that you can’t eliminate the source of all pain. Even with all of the options we have in today’s world, which are seemingly infinite (by comparison to only a few generations ago), still we’re a long way from Heaven. The tension between the source of all good and all evil is impossible to ignore.
Second, there is only one true cause of pleasure. Although it may seem that way for a while after the honeymoon, there is not true happiness in possessions and objects. You can spend your whole life with the right person, and heaven will still not seem right.
Finally, experience teaches that it’s important to nurture relationships, including friendships, in order to experience the joy of life. This is what religion suggests about how people who are frequently apart do better than the ones who are together.
Most of all, by visiting people who have different ideologies and values from your own, you strengthen your relationships, which, in turn, make you feel connected to the world — and to others. You’re standing up for what’s right, and you’re enhancing the human spirit.
What is true is that just the mention of God can make you feel better.
This article is part of a series on the meaning of Christmas that is written by experts from the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at Georgetown University.