Having God but Missing the Star

Occasionally in these pages, I have confessed my own confusion as to why MPs who say they hold similar religious beliefs effectively belittle one another in the name of politics. It’s true that Jesus stated that God and Caesar must exist side-by-side, yet he consistently put the emphasis on actions of love, respect and justice.  To say one held to a belief meant little if they actually couldn’t practice it.  All great faiths proclaim this one fundamental principle, and yet in Parliament we act as though God is merely a political party and whatever our respective leader says is good enough for us.Except that it’s not … never has been. We act in dignity and respect as public servants of faith or we are an embarrassment, not just to God, but to the very public that has to witness the unfortunate events of Question Period every day.These are the sins of commission, but those travesties of omission are even worse.  Not all that long ago, many of Canada’s main denominations put aside their differences and formed an umbrella group called KAIROS and have worked wonders of ecumenism since its inception.  But this very month they have been labeled as anti-Semites by a government minister spouting his inflammable beliefs.  Suddenly, and shamefully, the public space has obliterated the workable comity that once formed much of the glue that held this country together.Out of the woodwork have come leaders of numerous denominations and NGOs rising to the defense, not so much of KAIROS, but of the right to free speech and the right of faith groups to enter the public place to motivate others towards justice and goodwill.  Yet there are other faith groups, presently advantaged by the government of the day, who remain ominously silent.  They have something to gain from all this division, and in so doing they refuse to fight and speak out for the very truth their faith supposedly professes.Until the main spokespersons for both the evangelical and Jewish faiths arise to stand side-by-side with other groups of faith, regardless of their differences, then the true message of the Christmas season and Hannakah is lost on them.  Mark Twain commented wryly: “There are many scapegoats for our sins, but the most popular one is Providence.”  Somehow, ironically, tragically, people of various denominations and faiths have permitted politics, and devious politicians, to divert them from their ultimate goal of bringing peace towards people of goodwill.This Christmas, perhaps more than any other in recent memory, Canada’s public space has become the temple of the sectarians.  In our attempts to remain true to our God we have missed the star, a star that inspired multitudes to think outside of their boxes and which eventually led people to a child who would ultimately call folks to forgive their enemies, believe in one another and to fight for peace and justice in the world.The 2009 Christmas and holiday season could have been different.  Brothers and sisters could have stood on the front lines with KAIROS to defend the right of faith to be heard.  Jewish leaders could speak against others being termed “anti-Semite” because such language used so maliciously actually undermines the very principles of the Torah.  Yet it’s not too late. The star moves on and we can move with it, but only if we cast aside our small spirits and even smaller understandings of the will of the God we supposedly serve.  Be a good person more than a politician; as MPs, we've all been duped on this and we are all to blame. And be a principled faith instead of an empty one; religious leaders must bring about a new season of renaissance and good will. What's Christmas without such things?