Note: The following Faith and Democracy series does not endorse a candidate or party in the upcoming election. Its purpose is to consider the scenarios that could potentially play out if former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris wins the election.
After imagining what Donald Trump’s or Kamala Harris’s presidency would be like if either were elected in November, another question looms large in our hearts and minds: “Regardless of who wins, what are people of good faith to do?”
The question is an honest one demanding an answer because, after visiting with people across the country, I’ve heard some pretty drastic responses to that question.
If Trump wins, some on the left have hinted at departing the U.S. to settle in another country because of the potential for democracy’s collapse. If Harris wins, some on the right have spoken about more conservative states and cities seceding from the Union to create another confederacy of states.
While these are, unfortunately, legitimate reactions to a political opponent’s success, let’s consider another path forward—one fueled by faith and guided by a passion for democracy. Regardless of who wins the presidency in a few weeks, I pledge the following…
I pledge to proclaim and practice the inclusive and just Gospel centered on Jesus’s radical love. As a follower of Jesus, my faith remains at the core of my human experience.
For too long, the Christian church concentrated on exclusion and privilege. People were excluded from the faith community unless they conformed and were denied privileges (and rights) when they were marginalized by the powerful.
The inclusive and just Gospel begins with the truth that every human is created in the image of their creator within unique cultures and traditions. Global systems built on greed invite humans to conform, thus creating unjust circumstances leading to inequality and hierarchy.
The radical love of Jesus seeks to transform these systems to ensure every human is heard, seen and counted. In other words, the inclusive and just Gospel demands that everyone matters.
I pledge to fight for the survival of democracy, ensuring that every citizen has an opportunity to express the constitutional rights endowed by their Creator. For America to keep moving toward the dream of a more perfect union, a liberal constitutional democracy must remain intact. For every citizen to have a voice in self-governance, democracy must include everyone, regardless of race, religion, economic status or sexual orientation.
We are either all free citizens or all subjects to tyranny. For freedom to flourish, democracy must invite every citizen to participate in the responsibility of self-governance. This invitation is never more critical than when citizens exercise their right to vote and serve in self-governance.
For this, we must fight to preserve democracy. Democracy should never be taken for granted but defended and secured by each generation.
I pledge to support younger community leaders seeking to change systemic injustices in America. As the years have passed and I’ve grown older, I am more impressed with the generations rising behind mine. A strong passion for equality and fairness fuels their commitment to social justice.
While America is a much better place than it was when forged in the 18th century, the country still has a long way to go when it comes to correcting the slanted foundations for which we were built.
If a house is built on a crooked foundation (stolen lands and chattel slavery), it will be uneven until it is corrected. Therefore, I pledge to support the younger generations attempting to level America with the pillars of freedom, equality and justice for all.
I pledge to amplify marginalized voices and stories. America is still the place of dreams and opportunity. No matter who takes the oath of office in January 2025, inspirational voices and stories will present themselves—especially those of the marginalized and oppressed.
As the leader of a faith-based media organization, I commit to continuing to hand our megaphone to the inspirational people seeking and living out change across the country. While there remains so much bad news in our world, Good Faith Media constantly crosses paths with remarkable people on the fringes of society engaged in life-giving work. We commit to telling their stories.
I pledge to welcome the stranger. In the eyes of God, there is no stranger. Therefore, I must follow God’s lead.
As part of the human community, we are all sojourners seeking safety and security for ourselves, our families and our communities. Our humanity connects us, allowing us to share the experience of being fully human.
The global system of capitalistic greed has convinced us that our fellow humans are out to steal what we “own” or “deserve” by divine right. Capitalism built on the commodities of greed and hubris forces the dehumanization of others to keep the system of inequality and hierarchy thriving.
One clear counter to this lie is to welcome the stranger, which I will continue to do.
I pledge to champion the right of women to have agency over their bodies. The idea that women are unable to make the best decisions about their reproductive health astonishes any reasonable person. To suggest that politicians and preachers, who are predominantly male, should have ownership over those decisions confounds the mind and offends the soul.
Until women are given equality and justice—as both the Bible and Constitution demand—then the freedom of every person of faith and citizen is compromised. Women deserve the right to make choices about their healthcare without the interference of a male-dominated legislature and pulpit.
I pledge to make queer theology a part of my faith practice. For over a decade, I have learned so much from my LGBTQ+ friends and colleagues.
How they approach theology and life fills my heart with love and joy. They have changed me more than I ever imagined, so I advocate for their rights and inclusion.
If Christian nationalism continues to target them, I will stand with pride to defend them. If the attempt to take away marriage equality succeeds, I will work tirelessly to reinstate that right.
I will fight for their rights if they are denied the freedom to express their true selves. If they are excluded in public spaces, I will walk into good trouble with them.
I pledge to be more ecologically responsible through advocacy and practice. If there is one issue that needs our attention the most and makes everything pale in comparison, it’s the reality of climate change. We’ve got one planet, and we’re killing it.
No matter who the president is, the earth continues to warm, and those warm temperatures make it difficult for some humans to live. We need to tackle climate change aggressively through federal legislation and personal choices.
We cannot afford to fail on this issue. If we do, our children and grandchildren will never forgive us.
I pledge to counter Christian nationalism by keeping church and state separate. As mentioned in the past two columns, Christian nationalism is not going away, no matter who wins the presidency.
If Trump wins, Christian nationalism will attempt to institute its policy nationwide. If Harris wins, Christian nationalism will move to the states where public schools, libraries, LGBTQ+ rights, and religious minorities will be targeted.
People of good faith committed to keeping church and state separate must reinforce their passion for ensuring that the wall separating the sacred and the secular is not breached. If Christian nationalism finds the smallest of cracks in the wall, it will quickly fill that crack, which would turn into a significant breach. We must remain aware and diligent.
I pledge to live more simply so others can simply live. How many of us have bought into the false idea that the winner of life has the most stuff at the end of the day?
America has been built as a consumerist society, convincing citizens the only way to happiness is through wealth and materialism. Jesus had something to say about this when the rich young ruler asked him about eternal or abundant life (Matthew 19). Jesus responded, “Go sell all your stuff, give it to the poor, and come follow me.”
As followers of Jesus, we should audit our lives to ensure that others receive a living wage and can provide for their families. Former President Jimmy Carter once reminded a crowd, “There is enough money in the world that no one should go hungry. The problem is that the money is in the hands of only a few.”
Finally, I pledge to move from a theology of conversion and conformity to a theology of wholeness. In my attempt to deconstruct my theology of the white supremacy it was built upon, I find myself moving away from the weakness of conversion theology.
Conversion theology is brittle because it’s built upon the ideas of individuals in charge, which means they get to decide the beliefs and ideas we must follow. We’re convinced it’s our choice to follow, but community inclusion depends primarily on conformity. Instead of conversion and conformity, I want to build my faith around a theology of wholeness.
Jesus never asked people to conform to his theology but helped them discover God’s love and justice. He invited them into relationships, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves.
The world’s broken systems have left humans feeling inferior and jealous of one another. Through God’s love and justice, these systems can be resurrected and renewed to bring wholeness to a broken world. The world needs less conversion and conformity while finding more love that brings healing and wholeness to us all.
On January 20, 2025, the day of the inauguration, either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will stand before the electorate and take the oath of office. The choice is now in the voters’ hands.
However, no matter who wins the presidency, I pledge to keep fighting for the principles I hold most dear. I am recommitting my life to standing up, speaking out, and stepping forward, demanding freedom, inclusion, and justice for all.
If faith and democracy fail, it will not be on my watch.
