Politicians and the church

This quote in a recent Leadership Journal article caught my eye as we watch the way the church and politicians are interacting in the current race for the White House:

In many ways our situation is increasingly like that of the early church. The gospel had to compete in a multi-religious, pluralistic environment where, as Edward Gibbon put it, "the masses considered all religions equally true, the philosophers considered them equally false, and the politicians considered them equally useful."

I'm not passing judgment here because all parties have used and abused Christianity in their quest for power. I just find it amusing that in a post-modern world, some things don't change, even as far back as the Roman Empire. Politicians have been appealing to faith for millenia when it suits their needs. I don't think it will end anytime soon. My advice is when they start appealing to your faith, to put on a good filter of healthy skepticism and brace yourself for the inevitable sell-out that will follow. I hate to be so cynical, but, sadly, I fear it is true.

We hear the uproar over Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his controversial sermons. We hear about Barack Obama's faith. We also heard about Mitt Romney's Mormonism. Just watch how they are portrayed and be "as wise as serpents." Because that is who you are dealing with.