3 Reasons why Australia’s Christians shouldn’t panic about our new, atheist Prime Minister
Today, Julia Gillard, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Australia, reconfirmed her atheism. On the back of two proudly religious national leaders, and with a keen concern for our country’s future, we Christians must be naturally concerned about Ms Gillard’s commission to rule. Will a non-Christian uphold the values that we care for?
In this post I will present three reasons why Julia Gillard’s religious beliefs should be of no concern for Christians – rather we should be grateful.
But before you worry that my recent escapades in Canberra have inspired me to start electioneering on behalf of the Australian Labour Party you should know that I am not interested in how Christians vote at the upcoming federal elections. However, I do think the reasons why we vote are supremely important.
1. Christianity is not about winning power
Despite our appalling history suggesting the opposite, Christianity is not birthed out of a quest for power. Quite the opposite: Christianity is a race to the bottom.
The early Christians new well what it was like to live in a society defined by an imbalance of power. In such a society it must have been tempting to seek the reigns of control. The Roman Empire could have used a good, Christian leader after all. But instead the apostles’ writings continuously refocus our attention away from this temptation. From the gospel’s teaching that “the last shall be first” (Mark 10:31, Matt 19:30, Luke 13:30) and its parables, to Peter’s suggestion that we rejoice in persecution (1 Peter 4), to Revelation’s terrifying metaphors the New Testament consistently abhors power. Instead, Christians are to garner authority through the way that they serve.
We are encouraged to follow Jesus’ example in this (Phil 2:5-8). He is the personification of God and the only one with true power. Yet rather than flaunt this power He instead took on the lowliest form and made a mockery of our empires. Think about it – if the true King is so secure in His supremacy that He washed the feet of the disciples what does that say for all our “Kings” and their prestigious courts, fancy thrown, and prideful disposition? Jesus makes them look like they are compensating. They are pathetic by comparison! Jesus is the ultimate ‘unKing’.
We would do well to remember that Christianity will never positively change culture through wielding political power (quite the opposite actually, when you consider our crusades and inquisitions). Instead, we will gain a more powerful authority and make a lasting impact by positioning ourselves at the very bottom of the social hierarchy. We should be so lowly that even the rejects of society: the homeless, mentally disabled, and the poor; can consider us to be their servants.
2. We can can do more engaging politics in-between elections
It is tempting to believe that election day is our greatest chance to shape the policy of our nation’s government. Yet in reality the promises that politicians make each election is really just that party’s best attempt at reflecting their electorate’s wishes. How do they know what we, the people, want? We tell them.
We can engage with politicians, and influence policy, regardless of whoever happens to win the next election. We do not need a Christian prime minister in order to educate and hold our politicians to account on issues of poverty, climate change, and social decay. One thing I learned whilst visiting our MPs was that politicians are not inherently evil, but they are held captive to popular opinion. In fact, I got the distinct impression that whilst they would like to increase Australia’s overseas aid allocation they feel this would be too unpopular with the electorate.
Letting our vote be our sole input into the political process is a disservice to society. Instead, I would wager that voting should be the least significant act of advocacy that we make. Real engagement with government involves two arms: being a constant, nagging, prophetic voice in our leader’s ears (whatever side of the ideological spectrum they sit on) and educating the population to care about the same issues we do.
3. Christians should celebrate religious diversity
Whilst historians may debate it, I would like to think that human rights is a Christian idea. As followers of Jesus we should seek to exemplify the best of humanity. We should be the hopeless idealists. Democracy itself is a fanciful idea. In a society in which everyone only wants what is best for them, and no one has room for another person’s opinion, “commonwealth” can seem ever so difficult to obtain.
Christians should embrace democracy (it is, after all, better than the other types of government we have tried – Winston Churchill). This means that we need to show society how to dialog with people that don’t share our beliefs. It is not loving nor prudent to force people of non-faith or different faiths out of the political sphere. Julia Gillard is also a child of God, though she may not know it, and she can contribute in that capacity.
I do not think Jesus is threatened by an atheist Prime Minister. Rather, I think Australian Christians have a lot to gain by showing the nation that we are not scared; nor are we a cult. We can productively work with people outside our faith. Our willingness to not blindly discriminate should be our witness. I think our country would be all the better for it.
