Dear fellow Christians: we need to talk.

I recently read two articles that contain messages I believe every Christian should hear. The first is written by pastor and theologian Timothy Keller, who argues that Christians do not fit into the traditional two-party political system. The second is about Jerushah Duford, granddaughter of the late Rev. Billy Graham, who is distancing herself from President Donald Trump and voting for Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the upcoming election. 

Let’s start with the notion that the Christian faith does not belong to a particular political party. I like to think this makes sense, but if I were to ask my classmates which party they most associate Christianity with, I can guarantee that a majority, if not all, would say Republican. This is not surprising, as this connection has existed for what feels like forever, but it is a dangerous concept. 

We have come to a point where controversial viewpoints – such as refusing to wear a mask to protect others from COVID-19, denying the realities of climate change or disregarding the inequities facing minority communities – have been tied to Christianity. The faith itself has been mistakenly paired with the ideology of certain Republicans. To believers and non-believers alike: the Republican Party does not single-handedly represent Christianity, as Christianity itself cannot be confined to a political party’s socially constructed boundaries. 

Can a so-called conservative Christian not vote for a Democratic candidate or support a more liberal policy and vice versa? As a society, we must break out of this dichotomy, and as Christians, we have a responsibility to lead this charge. 

Let’s now transition to the election between Trump and Biden, as if I wasn’t already playing with fire. If Christians, as a spiritual community, can move past the fallacy that it is only acceptable to cast a ballot for a Republican, it is my hope that evangelicals across the country can find the strength to vote for Biden. Although he has his flaws (as we all do), Biden’s campaign highlights the potential of a symbolic and tangible transformation from an administration that has spewed hate and division to a presidency built on unity, equality and respect.

In no way am I arguing that Biden perfectly represents the Christian faith. But if you think Trump has or will – especially to a comparable or a higher degree than Biden – I implore you to think long and hard about his past words, actions and policies. I am in no position to judge whether Trump is or is not a true Christian; that is not my job, nor the job of anybody for that matter. Nonetheless, there are many instances where the president’s behavior stands antithetical to the core values of Christianity. 

By associating Christianity with Trumpism and the far right, the faith is being stained by policies and rhetoric that do not truly represent Scripture and the teachings of Jesus. I have always imagined that Jesus would have been an independent, for at the end of the day, his message does not represent that of a Republican or a Democrat; it represents the divine message of God – a voice that cannot be tied to one political party or another. If we want to transform the perspective of non-believers and bring more individuals to the faith, we have to do our part in living a true Christian life in which we vote for candidates who reflect true Christian values. 

These topics have been weighing on my heart for some time, and with so much on the line in this upcoming election, I could not simply hold them in. Although these might seem like “controversial” opinions that run contrary to the faith, I believe more Christians may feel this way than would like to admit. 

Christians, we do not have to accept that which is widely accepted. Let’s publicly and enthusiastically reclaim the values of our faith – one built on love, kindness, hope and the truest form of loving our neighbors. I believe this can be done, and it starts this November, together. 

Guest columnist’s disclaimer: Although Philip Goodrich is a member of the Student Government Association, the views represented in this column do not reflect any opinion of the student government.