VP Mike Pence Mixed Religion & Politics at the Southern Baptist Convention

VP Mike Pence, official WH photo

Vice President Mike Pence delivered a political speech yesterday at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. He continued the conservative movement's tradition of claiming biblical authority for conservative policies. On the one hand, this is old news: politicians often claim religious endorsement for their policies. On the other hand, conservative politicians are increasingly linking specific conservative policies with religion. This is something new: for neither the Christian Bible, nor any other religious authority with which I am familiar, claims that gun rights, hostile policies toward immigrants such as denying asylum, separating families, or expelling long-time residents, or the building of large military forces have a religious basis. Since he had no religious argument to make, Mr. Pence instead used the simple rhetorical device of juxtaposition: he put unrelated things side by side, creating the impression that the unrelated things belonged together.

We have increasingly seen political candidates appearing at religious conferences, giving lip service to religious ideas, then promulgating partisan views. The religious conference soon transmutes into a thinly-veiled political rally. Donald Trump has done this several times, for example, in his dramatic speech at the Values Voters Summit.

Never underestimate the rhetorical or persuasive power that comes when people combine religion and politics. This is nothing new; European rulers claimed the "divine right of kings," while, today, oppressive dictators in the Middle East claim a religious basis for their power. A citizen might argue with a seamy, scummy, amoral politician, but it takes real nerve to argue with God. A political pundit might disagree with the politician's values, but faces a real struggle by arguing with the Bible. So, when politicians lay their controversial, and often unwise, ideas side-by-side with religion, they gain credibility that they have not earned. They can shut down debate about the issues, and divert controversy from issues to unrelated values.

So, let us look at how Vice President Pence, who is widely known to be a conservative Christian, sandwiched controversial ideas in between slices of religion.

First, after acknowledging a flattering introduction, Mr. Pence introduced himself: "I'm a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order." This brief comment established his credibility: he established to the Christian audience that he was a Christian and he assured them that he put Christianity first, but then he laid conservatism and Republicanism side-by-side with Christianity. This made Christianity, conservatism, and Republicanism sound like a triumvirate of virtue. This is the power of juxtaposition.

Next, Mr. Pence praised President Donald Trump as "A leader who, I can tell you, has been delivering every day on his promise to protect faith and restore freedom across this country."  This appeals to two distinct points: first, the speaker reassured the audience that President Trump was protecting their faith against attack, while, at the same time, he repeated the concept of "freedom," which conservatives believe is also under attack. Already, Mr. Pence was mixing religion and politics together, but in a very subtle way: what Christian would argue against freedom?

Mr. Pence then talked about his upbringing, "it was grace before dinner and church on Sunday morning." He discussed his own religious conversion. He praised Southern Baptists for working "to bring about renewal of America, and new beginnings." That sounds fine, and still had a religious tone. Without a seam, he slipped into a political panegyric: "I believe that our nation is in the midst of a time of renewal," which could be either religious or political – he didn't say – and then, "we are in the midst of a new beginning of greatness in America."

So much of that is clever: a parallel phrasing – "in the midst of," and again "in the midst of" – connected a secular idea back to a religious one. When a speaker phrases two different ideas the same way, this can lead the audience to think that the ideas belong together. Also, Mr. Pence placed the religious and non-religious ideas side by side. Religious renewal, which most Protestant believers would favor, united with Donald Trump's controversial political policies. Mr. Pence did not tell the audience that Mr. Trump's ideas were religious, which they obviously are not; instead, he just lumped the two points together.

The link between religion and conservative politics, which Mr. Pence had already hinted at, became crystal clear in the next paragraph:


"When you look at the progress we’ve made over the last 500 days, at home and abroad – the stronger America, a stronger economy, a stronger commitment to the God-given liberties enshrined in our Constitution – I think there’s only one way you can sum up this administration: It’s been 500 days of action, 500 days of accomplishment.  It’s been 500 days of promises made and promises kept.  (Applause.)"

The speaker's transition from religion to conservative politics was now complete. "Stronger America?" Where does the Bible say that? "Stronger economy?" The Bible is strangely silent about macroecnomic policy. "It’s been 500 days of action, 500 days of accomplishment.  It’s been 500 days of promises made and promises kept:" Mr. Pence's humble confession of faith had now become open boasting about political accomplishments.

With the political engine now running at full power, Mr. Pence now said:

"From the very beginning of this administration, we’ve been rebuilding our military, restoring the arsenal of democracy.  And as the proud father of a United States Marine, I couldn’t tell you how grateful I am that, with the support of this Congress, we are once again giving our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard the resources and training they need to accomplish their mission and come home safe.  (Applause.)"

The speaker had wandered away from religion and baldy praised the administration's pro-military policies. He continued by boasting of strict law enforcement:

"We’ve been standing with the courageous men and women of law enforcement.  We’ve been securing our borders, enforcing our laws, and removing dangerous criminals, drug dealers, and gang members off our streets in record numbers.  (Applause.)"

This, again, is political. Mr. Pence then endorsed "the President's stand on 'peace through strength.'" Again, although most conservatives, and many liberals, favor strength, this was a purely non-religious policy. He then moved on to a strictly pro-American (not pro-Christian) policy: "President Trump has been putting America first and standing strong for America’s interests all over the world." Many Americans will think that is a good political policy but it has no religious foundation.

Yet, returning to his religious theme, Mr. Pence contradicted himself: "In this White House, I want to assure you, we know that America’s strength ultimately comes from the foundation of our most cherished values in this country." So, which is it: does strength come from armies? Or from values? Which comes first? Mr. Pence seemed to want it both ways. He then finished the speech by discussing several more faith issues. That helped him sandwich his partisan ideas into a religious context.

Many people would argue with President Trump's policies. Fewer would argue with the Bible. Mr. Pence set up a high burden for Mr. Trump's opponents: to contradict President Trump is to contradict religion.

Liberal politicians would be wise not to take the bait. Mr. Pence advocated many policies that lack religious foundation. He put those policies side-by-side with religious values. But they don't necessarily fit. Christianity does not justify peace through strength, high tariffs, or conservative macroeconomic policies. Mr. Pence put conservatism and religion side by side to shut down reasoned, evidenced debate about controversial policies. This is not a legitimate rhetorical tactic.

Please note that I'm not saying whether Mr. Pence's policies are right or wrong. I'm saying that they aren't religious, but, that by putting his policies side-by-side with religion, he made them sound religious. Does Christianity support conservative policies? What about feeding the poor, visiting prisoners, helping the helpless, and forgiving wrongs? 

A hidden danger lurks: did Vice President Pence equate being religious with being Christian? Did he equate being Christian with being a Republican? Although Christianity is my own religion, I don't feel comfortable with any of that.

Later, I'll discuss audience reactions to Mr. Pence's speech. Not everyone at the meeting liked his strategy. Not everything went according to his plan. Stay tuned!

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See my earlier post about Dr. Robert Jeffress' speech in Jerusalem, which used the same tactic.