An interview with the Rev Sandy Grant from St Michael’s Pro-Cathedral, Wollongong.

Is informed voting a Biblical responsibility? If so, how?

Yes, I think so. Romans 13 indicates that God places the governing authorities over us for our good. In his providence, we are in a democracy which invites us to participate in voting and more, such as arguing a case before our parliamentary representatives, by a letter or a petition. And since we believe God’s word is our ultimate authority, then we can expect that the Bible may have many things to say that will affect our worldview as it touches politics. God’s way, for exmaple, in honouring marriage, is not only good for believers, but for all who are married and their societies.

Should church and state exist separately? If not, what part should the church play in politics?

I’d refer to Andrew Cameron’s New College lectures a couple of years ago. Basically, he pointed out that most people do not have a clear understanding of the ‘separation of church and state’. I certainly don’t want the church ruling the state, nor do I want the State establishing a particular religion. However, I think it is perfectly fair that in the democracy God has placed us in, Christians should take their part in expressing and arguing the case for their views to be heard. We act as citizens, but we are Christian citizens. It would be absurd to expect that we could somehow switch off our Christianity when we participate in the political process.

Should church leaders advise their congregations on voting Christianly? If so, how?

I think it would be very unwise for pastors to endorse particular parties or even candidates. I mentioned earlier that a member of our congregation is running for state parliament. So, because he was a church members, we advertised his dinner function in the church bulletin, but I printed a disclaimer before the notice, along these lines “the following is for information only and is not an endorsement”. I also said verbally that it wasn’t a disendorsement either!

My way of operating would be to try to provide biblically informed information on particular issues of concern. So over the years, I have urged congregation members, if they feel convinced about the matter, to lobby their parliamentary representatives against destructive embryonic stem cell research and euthanasia, and also for a more just treatment of asylum seekers, and for the protection of the civil liberties of David Hicks (even though he seems a foolish man who has acted against the interests of Australia).

Does voting Christianly just mean voting for the Christian Democratic Party?

Certainly not. The CDP have many candidates of fine Christian character and convictions. Nor can they be pigeon-holed simply as conservatives, although on matters of Christian personal ethics they are obviously conservative. A member of our own congregations at St Michael’s is standing for the CDP in a local seat and I wish him well.

However, I do not think the CDP’s policies are always the ‘most Christian’.

To give examples, I am personally unpersuaded that the ‘harm minimisation’ approach of the safe injecting room is definitely a great evil. I would like to see further exploration of a medical approach to drug addiction alongside a criminal approach. However this is not an area I am especially knowledgeable about.

However to take an example I have thought strongly about, a number of Mr Nile’s stated policies on ‘radical Islam’ cause me serious concern. For example, under the heading, “Fred Nile’s 9 Point Plan”, no. 1 was the removal of Sheikh El Hilaly from leadership. Like Mr Nile, I strongly disagree with Mr Hilaly’s public statements on many topics. However I think it is very unwise for parliamentarians to be attempting to decide who can be the leader of a religious group, unless that religious leader has been convicted of breaking the law.

No 4. was supporting the NSW School dress policy and states that children at state schools should not be allowed to wear full Muslim head-dress. No. 5 was supporting the war against terrorism and calling for a ban on the face-covering burka. I think these calls are illogical and ultimately counterproductive to the cause of Christ.

For example, if we are going to ban the Muslim hijab for girls at school, why have we not also called for a ban on Jews wearing the yarmulke, and on Brethren girls wearing head scarves? In each case, we would be infringing religious liberties. If we feel it is necessary to do so, it should be applied to all religious clothing. But better would be to respect religious liberties, even of those with whom we disagree.

Likewise if we are going to ban the burka, because it might be used in terrorism, why not also ban the wearing of rain coats and bulky jackets, along with carrying briefcases and backpacks? These too have been used to conceal weaponry or explosives.

In each case, Mr Nile’s call is inconsistent and discriminatory. However the God of the Bible is not a God who shows that sort of discrimination. He is no "respecter of persons'. It does not appear just to legislate against a whole group (e.g. Muslims) because of a minority of terrorists among them, nor against one group (Muslims), without applying the same reasoning to other groups.

Most basically, I believe this call unintentionally undermines the very freedoms of religion and speech we wish to preserve for Christians (and therefore for others also). I strongly wish to remain free to speak publicly about why I disagree with Islam, and where I think it is wrong. However, if we erode the freedom of religion (expressed lawfully) of other citizens (and potential citizens) of this nation, then we can expect further erosions to our own freedoms of religion and speech. Conversely, if we want the freedom to practise our own religion peacefully, without threat or constraint, then we also need to defend the rights of others to practise their religion, or no religion.

If a Christian prizes religious liberty and fair treatment of all citizens, then these policies might give them pause before voting for the CDP. That said, I do not expect to find a political party with whom I will agree on all matters, and there are many aspects of the CDP platform which are attractive to me.

What issues should Christians be keeping an eye on as they consider their vote?

Since the last federal election, I think three big issues to emerge have been:
"¢ the way industrial relations reforms may affect workers, especially those who are unskilled, and their families, not so much now, but when the economy turns downwards; and,
"¢ our treatment of the environment, in particular, global warming and stewardship of water resources;
"¢ the need to review our national approach to the war in Iraq which, alongside our ally, the USA, seems to be going nowhere.

Much of this cuts across traditional left-right analysis. So as a Christian, I might be conservative on personal sexual and sanctity-of-life morality issues; keen for a growing family friendly economy; but concerned for better treatment of refugees, the environment, and also for a very careful safety net for the vulnerable in society (e.g. healthy & generous Medicare & welfare). I am also looking to support individual candidates of proven and consistent character and convictions.