OPINION:
A version of this story appeared in the Higher Ground newsletter from The Washington Times. Click here to receive Higher Ground delivered directly to your inbox each Sunday.
“I don’t know how you could be a leader without having faith in God.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made this proclamation on Sept. 15 at the Family Research Council’s Pray, Vote, Stand Summit while discussing the necessity of religious liberty.
The Republican presidential hopeful’s simple declaration is certainly accepted and mirrored among his fellow candidates and past commanders in chief. After all, belief in God has been embraced in some form by every U.S. president, with only two — Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson — reportedly having had no official religious affiliation.
Mr. DeSantis’ remarks about faith centered on the strength God gives leaders to “stand up for what’s right” while facing the blowback that can often come when championing various causes.
But the issue of leaders’ belief or unbelief itself runs much deeper than having courage or resilience. It’s also about accountability, purpose and eternal perspective.
With fissures in the foundation of Judeo-Christian beliefs that underpin American society and our collective move away from these essential values, an uncomfortable question must be asked: Is it viable, healthy or prudent for the U.S. to elect an unbelieving president? Perhaps the more appropriate query: Is a nonbelieving candidate equipped to lead?
Virtually no one wants a theocracy and an official litmus test would be unconstitutional and improper. That said, there are a variety of factors worth considering as we navigate the complexities of these inquiries, especially as we find ourselves desperate for moral leadership.
Political commentator S.E. Cupp famously addressed these issues in a 2012 conversation on “The Cycle,” an MSNBC talk show that ran from 2012 to 2015, explaining why, even as a nonbeliever, she would “never vote for an atheist president — ever.”
The shocking comments made headlines at the time, considering Ms. Cupp was essentially excluding even herself from presidential prowess. But despite astounding some, she detailed exactly why she saw nonbelievers as ill-equipped for the role.
“I do not think that someone who represents 5% to 10% of the population should be representing and thinking that everyone else in the world is crazy but me.”
Ms. Cupp made another point worthy of attention and consideration, as she argued there’s a “check” on presidents who believe in a higher power — one forcing them to think more deeply about accountability and actions.
“The other part of it — I like that there is a check, OK? That there‘s a person in the office that doesn’t think he’s bigger than the state,” she said. “I like religion being a check and knowing that my president goes home every night addressing someone above him and not thinking all the power resides right here. … Atheists don’t have that.”
Ms. Cupp’s argument that a man or woman should see beyond themselves and feel a responsibility to a Creator seems countercultural in a world obsessed with the “gospel of the self” and personal inclinations. Yet the argument is remarkably sound.
When a president is making decisions about the unborn, military operations, social programs or almost any other issue, do we want them seeking knowledge, truth and solutions from their own hearts and minds — or from, for, and in light of something greater?
Do we want presidents to feel accountability to themselves or to a higher power? These questions will certainly send atheist activist groups into a tizzy. But if we’re honest, it’s an important question we each need to ponder before going to the polls.
Worldview matters, and at a time when major political parties are swiftly abandoning biblical ideals and using emotion as a compass to gauge moral truth, we’re at a difficult crossroads.
The Bible itself makes it patently clear that discernment, knowledge and truth are dependent on belief in God. Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) reads, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 3:7 (NIV) adds, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”
There are plenty of other verses to go around on the topic, but the point is that belief in God and seeking his standards is what leads us to true insight and discernment. Rejecting this reality seems not only imprudent on a personal plane, but also potentially disastrous in leadership.
Considering the nation’s trajectory, our leaders are sure to continue down an unethical rabbit hole and into a pit of foolery. Let’s not forget the Democratic Party famously removed “God” from its platform in 2012 before quickly placing the Almighty back into the text amid chaos and critique.
Again, no one wants a theocracy or an official mandate, but Ms. Cupp had it right when she noted the power that can come from feeling accountability to something bigger than ourselves — a dynamic we should expect in the lives, hearts and actions of every one of our presidents.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” He is the author of four books.
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