Separation of church and state is a simple enough idea, but it loses its simplicity at the individual level. People of faith have a hard time making their religion and politics mutually exclusive.

Conservatives often take stances based on their Christian faith. But should Christians bring God into the debate?

Christians are taught to fight for the God of the Bible every minute of the day, to fight for Christ in everything they do.

Politics falls into the category of “everything,” so naturally, Christians push their beliefs in legislature.

While Christian politicians and citizens argue that they are only dutifully standing up for God, it seems that they are missing the point of Christianity.

God does not need you to stand up for Him. He’s fully capable of managing on His own.

Yet Christians present God as some elite moral standard we’ve all seemed to forget about.

“Let’s legalize gay marriage.”

“But, God! Don’t you remember God? He wouldn’t approve!”

This is nothing more than using God as a pawn, an object to push for what you want.

Learning to be humble before God, a vital aspect of Christianity, does not involve demanding others to live up to biblical standards. It’s not Christians’ place to tell America what it can and can’t do because “God said so.” The Bible is a book that followers of Christ are to live and be inspired by. It is not a rulebook to enforce
on nonbelievers.

At the 2012 vice presidential debate, Paul Ryan said, “I don’t see how a person can separate their private life from their public life or their faith. Our faith informs us in everything we do.”

Ryan’s statement is absolutely true for a life of faith. God should not be left at the door before you go to work, or school, or out with friends.

But there is a difference between living out your faith and vicariously living a moral lifestyle through others. Lawmakers are deluding themselves if they believe that they are ridding the world of sin by banning whatever sinful behavior they’re fixated on at the moment.

“[God] can’t be used as a road. If you’re approaching Him not as a goal but as a road, not as the end but as a means, you’re not really approaching Him at all,” wrote C.S. Lewis, a famous Christian novelist.

Using God as an object for personal gain is only a game of manipulation. You may get ahead in politics, but you won’t earn favor from God.

Thrall is a junior majoring in journalism and film.