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"Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow" (Isaiah 1:16-17).

Ever since the last election, there has been much debate about the influence of value voters and the need for some to reach out to the religious conservatives. Yet there continues to be stereotyping of religious people into basically two groups. One is the group that thinks in terms of what happens in the bedroom according to some; abortion and homosexuality. The other group is seen in the media as those who are interested in social justice such as helping the poor, peace, fighting AIDs, environmental issues, and various rights. There doesn’t seem to be much research into either group by the other and politicians line up with the group that represent their views (1).

So what are the stereotypes? We are going to have to use words that have stereotypes attached to them. Bible believing conservatives have often been spoken of as those who emphasize their opposition to abortion and homosexuality. They are often ridiculed for their views. Some reporters have even admitted that they have never talked with nor know anyone who is pro-life. Why the emphasis on abortion? Those who oppose abortion understand the value and importance of human life created in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26-27). It is based on the Christian worldview found in scripture which believes in God who has sent His Son to rescue us from sins. The pro-life position sees abortion as a devaluing of human life. One could argue that many doctors, scientists, and statesmen who could have discovered many cures or found ways to peace will not be able to because they did not see life. Abortion has become convenient for those who want irresponsible living without the consequences (2). While scripture does not address abortion, the taking of innocent life and the shedding of blood are serious sins in the sight of God. In the context of Isaiah one, we see that God is angry because "Your hands are full of blood" (vs. 15). In order to justify abortion, new names have been adopted such as a fetus. A few are now arguing that unacceptable or unwanted babies be killed after a month of life.

Homosexuality is a sin. This is clear from scripture (see Leviticus 18 and Romans 1). The arguments from proponents is that they want the same rights as heterosexual couples. But there is much more; they really want this sinful lifestyle accepted as an alternative and taught has such. In some places, any criticism of homosexuality including sermons against it is considered "hate" speech. In several European countries where it has been legalized, marriage has declined rapidly as well as populations.

Christians do not hate either those who have had abortions, the abortionist, nor homosexuals. We recognize them as created in God’s image and as sinners, just like us. Paul recognized this when he said that such were some Corinthians who then became Christians (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). It is important for us to present the good news of Jesus to all. This has been done by a number of groups. Exodus International is a group of former homosexuals who have become Christians and help others to change. Abilene Christian University just showed how Christians can discuss the gospel with those they disagree with when the homosexual group, Soulforce, visited the campus. Christians do not advocate the blowing up of abortion clinics nor the murder of abortion doctors despite what the stereotype states. There are groups who help women before they abort. They do not leave them on the street as the impression of the stereotype states. They help train them or set up adoption for them.

The second group seeks social justice and usually finds good press. The various issues are considered liberal, one reason being that they are advocated by religious liberals. The social justice movement has a long history that while appealing to scripture has lost sight of a number of things. One, they have redefined both sin and salvation. It is a sin to be rich and poor though the Bible doesn’t say this. Riches can lead people to sin in such ways as greed and selfishness. And Jesus said that we will always have to poor as well as widows and orphans that need to be helped, an indication of service and humility. These ideas that have led to seeing the United States as evil because it is so rich in comparison with the rest of the world and has exploited the poorer nations. While there is probably some truth in this, looking at some of those other nations, the leaders of those countries certainly are doing more damage because of their selfishness. These ideas have led to various theologies such as liberation theology, freeing people from capitalist influences. Jesus is the Savior of the poor from capitalism but not from sin.

In fact, sin is redefined and watered down. The Episcopal Church is splitting because of the stand of a number of American theologians on the issue of homosexuality. Many of these people do not see this as a sin and find themselves in a heated debate with Anglicans world wide. One retired bishop has called the third world leaders ignorant because they do not hold his enlightened views (3). They often emphasize government involvement in these and other areas.

What is the truth behind the misrepresentation of stereotypes? First, as Christians, we can be opposed to sinful activities and for justice. One text that is often used is that of Matthew 25. There Jesus states that we should feed and cloth the poor, visit the sick, entertain strangers, and visit those in prison. This is happening. Prison Fellowship is just one of a number of groups who from a conservative perspective is doing this. We in churches of Christ continue to support several children’s homes throughout the country. Other conservative Christian groups are building and working with hospitals in Africa in dealing with the AIDS situation. Christian groups are involved in the rescue of the persecuted in Dafar and other areas. Stephen Monsma has researched and found that evangelicals are more active in welfare-to-work programs than any other religious group (4). He found that because evangelicals demand responsible action, those who are helped respect that. Many evangelical conservative groups helped in hurricane and tsunami relief over the past two years without government help (5).

Second, how to help is what is debated among some. The more liberal groups want government to step in and help in social justice areas but to stay out of the bedroom issues. Conservatives prefer to do it privately. That can be debated. Issues of war and peace, the death penalty, and how to help the poor as well can be debated and there are good people on both sides of these and other issues. One of the dangers of stereotypes is that if a person sees helping the poor or peace as the way to go, he could be labeled liberal. That would be a stereotype because there are many who are Bible believers who emphasize social justice issues.

Finally, we need to carefully define sin according to scripture. To ignore the poor is sinful but to fill the streets figuratively with blood is sinful as well. God is pleased when we protect the innocent and deal with the guilty but He is not pleased when we do not show the innocent justice. We can be concern with opposing sinful actions and behaviors and helping in justice issues. The evidence appears that conservative evangelical Christians are doing both despite what the stereotypes say. It is easy to say that we are to help the poor and oppressed, but to get in there and do it is another matter. Compassionate people do not necessarily brag about their compassion but humbly serve. It is not liberal to be involved on social justice issues; scripture is clear that God wants us to do that. But it is also clear that there are sins that must be opposed and that will bring opposition to us when we do it. We can live godly before others presenting the good news and a loving way that will draw people to Jesus. We do that by both word and action.

One cannot help but think how the views of people have changed when the United States have come in to rescue and rebuild devastated areas and how views toward Christians have changed when Christians too have been involved. The message of Jesus is being spread in word and action. What a great time to live!

George B. Mearns

(1) A number of books on the religious right, both for and against it, have been written in the last couple of years. I’ve read some reviews and found that the religious right lines up with conservatives and the religious left with liberals. One problem is that the critic often fails to see this.

(2) Studies are coming to light that show that women who have had abortions are having psychological and medical problems unseen earlier in their lives.

(3) John Shelby Spong has written in opposition to the Bible being God’s word, miracles, the resurrection and the Virgin Birth of Jesus. He has stated that Christianity needs to be rescued from such beliefs. N.T. Wright opposes such ideas from theologians such as Spong and has written quite extensively on the resurrection and other issues from a Bible believing perspective.

(4) Christianity Today, July 2006, p. 44-45.

(5) I have not seen the breakdown in what groups help in relief but I know that many evangelical groups were on the scene as reported in the news. Not many mainline liberal groups were mentioned. That makes me wonder just where their emphasis is?