The Constitution Party

Democrats. Republicans. Even Libertarians. We’ve all heard of them. But have you heard of the Constitution Party? Reading through their Platform, I’m getting the impression that they are to the Constitution what the Reformers were to the Bible. “Constitution Only!” (or better, a Latin phrase which I’m not learned enough to construct) seems to be an apt battle cry of this group, as they seek to, well, reform American government, bringing it back to the ideals of the Constitution itself and the Founding Fathers who crafted it.

Sadly, reformation of the Church wasn’t possible, and there was a great divide within Christianity. Is American government just as too far gone to be reformed? Well, probably. Reading through the Constitution Party’s Platform, it seems that the first and perhaps show-stopping problem that people will have is their unashamed declaration of Jesus Christ as God, Creator and Preserver of the universe and all it contains. “Church must remain separate from state!” will be the proclamation, despite the fact that it seems that the Constitution Party’s love for Jesus Christ compels them to remain ever true to the Constitution of the United States, which contains the Establishment Clause, which in a “Constitution Only” sense does not preclude a Christian government. What it precludes is an established state religion. Big difference. Not one I’d expect Harvard and Yale graduated politicians to grasp, but it’s a difference nonetheless… ;)

Seriously, though, my question is, what am I missing? I’ve read through their Platform. I’ve checked out their Mission Statement, and I like their seven core principles.

So why does it seem I only run across the party every few years and that by accident? Why aren’t more Christians speaking up for this group? (Sometimes when something seems quite obvious to me, I worry that I’m overlooking something even more obvious. O_o )

9 thoughts on “The Constitution Party”

  1. Great post, Rick. Despite the fact that I am hesitant to get involved too much with politics, this does help me and interest me.

    Peace and grace,
    Justin

  2. I find it easier to get involved in things when they can be better tied to my faith. The Confederation Constitution Party does not shy away from Jesus, nor does He seem to be a name given to various political movements (which is becoming more and more commonplace in the Religious Right… Christianity seems merely a means to a political end, rather than being the End itself).

    I requested more information from them, so I’ll likely post more when I know more.

    (PS: Been quiet on your blog, lately. Lots of posts at first; did you go on vacation or somethin’? lol)

  3. Rick, yeah, I know what you mean.

    Sorry about my blog. I was away for a week for the Local Missions 2007 that my church was doing. It was very fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was quite saddened to have it end, actually. But, there’s always next year to look foward to.

  4. Yikes, slip on my part; it is the Constitution Party. However, I have heard it argued that the South’s view of America as a confederation of independent states was closer in line with how America should be, as opposed to being so much a republic as it is now. I’m not for certain, though. I think it was in the book Fascinating Truths (or another of his 20+, I forget which), but Pastor James W. Knox traced the history of Christianity in America, which also involved detailing how America has become more and more ruled by the Federal Judiciary, and that the local and state level governments are becoming less and less important. I’m not sure how valid any of it was, though.

  5. From my understanding of American history, I think Mr. Knox was very accurate. President Jefferson opposed national control over the states, and state sovereignty was, basically, the only reason America had a Civil War. Slavery, although an issue, wasn’t the main reason.

    As for the Judiciary system, I can see that. Take a look at the court systems throughout history. Our government increasingly looks to the Supreme Court. I think that might have been a result of the whole fiasco with Franklin D. Roosevelt, when he initiated the “Hundred Day Congress” and how the Supreme Court ruled many of its policies unconstitutional. In this sole example, we see the Executive and the Legislative branches working together and the Judicial having to stop them when they cross over the line.

    Or, it also might be the offspring of the Watergate scandal with Nixon. Since the people are not cozy with either the Executive or the Legislative branches now, they can only feel safe with the Judicial branch.

    You know, I never thought I would actually enjoy American history. But now, it is probably my most favorite class, and it’s all over with. Oh well, now I can look forward to European history.

  6. How can you have a christian government, but not a state religion? What does that even mean? How would it not be a state religion? As far as I can see, requiring someone to be a christian to be in the government violates that person’s freedom of religion. You allude to there being a difference, but don’t explain it. I’m neither a politician, nor a yale/harvard graduate, yet I can’t figure out how that would work.

  7. State religions mandate that citizens must be a certain religion.

    A political party encouraging Christian candidates, however, does not affect the religious freedoms of citizens, especially when said candidates hold the Constitution in high regard and consider it the standard of American government, not judicial or executive whims.

  8. Liberal, Rick is correct. A Christian government doesn’t force citizens to be Christian. Those who support Christian government do not advocate mandating Christianity, but rather supporting candidates who espouse the Judeo-Christian ideas of honesty, justice, integrity, honor, freedom, and such.

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