The Two-Edged Sword

On the topic of mixing religion and politics Marvin over at The Ivy Bush poses and then proceeds to answer this question:

Why not call out the President if you're slamming politicians who won't be instructed by religious officials?

Maybe because a lot of Christianity Today readers would cancel their subscriptions. Or maybe because what you really care about is getting Republicans elected, and you'll use any argument to advance that agenda. Careful there, Christianity Today. You're wielding a two-edged sword.

Marvin was inspired by a Christianity Today editorial that begins by noting that

In the centuries before Constantine "Christianized" the Roman Empire, the church was wary of politicians. Lists of professions that would bar a person from making gifts to the church, becoming a priest, or even being baptized included pimps, makers of idols, wrestlers, flute and zither players—and magistrates who "wear the purple" or do not deal justly.

Does that mean we can expect Pope John Paul II to refuse the gift that George Bush intends to bestow later today? After all, King George wears the purple robe while being something of a zither player. And he is inarguably not a just dealer. Then there is the matter of the pope being adamantly opposed to the defining event of Bush's term in office...

I heard on NPR today that there was some debate within the Bush camp regarding whether Dubya should meet with the pope. Those opposed argued that a meeting with the Pope would remind Catholic voters that Bush engaged in an unjust war. Clearly the Karl Rove faction won that debate. (Does Karl Rove ever lose a debate in this administration?) And why not? Are American's going to recall the Pope's condemnation of Bush's war while Bush is bestowing a medal on the pointy hatted servant of God? I doubt it. But I wouldn't be surprised if they're somehow reminded of the fact that Big John can't eat little white wafers because he's not good friends with the Popester. (Do you think Bush has given the Pope a nickname?)

And I'm sure the geriatric pontiff doesn't mind being a prop in Bush's reelection campaign.


UPDATE: Well, maybe I'm only part right. Apparently, the pope "is likely to use the opportunity to challenge Bush on a number of issues." So Bush may not get a pass on his past. But how much of a downer is that likely to be for Bush? Afterall, the invasion is over. And Bush hass pretty much backtracked to some degree on all subsequent issues involving America's unilateralism. So even if pointy hat dude issues a mild rebuke in public (a big if) it's not likely to harm Bush among the constituency to which he's trying to appeal.

The whole point of this exercise is that Rove Bush is counting on more press coverage like the last four paragraphs in this piece. This is the key graf:

Despite Bush's disagreement with the Vatican on political issues, the president's social agenda is closer to the Holy See's than that of his Catholic opponent, John Kerry. Bush and the pope are against abortion and gay marriage.

Prop John Paul II would have been better off sticking to his long-standing practice of declining "visits by presidents and prime ministers during election years, [due to fear] the meetings might turn into campaign stops."