Hol
Well-known
It is nearly axiomatic in the American church to say that Jesus is not a Democrat or a Republican. Pastors say it from pulpits. Christians post it on social media. It serves as a kind of theological courtesy—a way of signaling that one’s faith transcends partisan affiliation. And it’s true that God transcends politics.
But somewhere along the way, a caution against political idolatry became a conviction that Jesus hovers above it all, equally at ease and equally uncomfortable with everyone; that all platforms are flawed enough to be equivalent, and that sincerity is sufficient to resolve whatever tension exists between your faith and your politics.
Michigan State Rep. Karen Whitsett, a lifelong Democrat from Detroit, now says that’s not true. On March 2, she announced she will not seek re-election and will never run for public office again. The reason, she said, has nothing to do with polling or political strategy.
“This is not a political calculation—it’s a spiritual decision,” Whitsett said.
She then went further, naming the Democratic Party itself as incompatible with her Christian faith—not a particular candidate, not a single vote, but the platform.
“For me, it is impossible to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ while remaining a member of the Democratic Party as it exists today,” Whitsett said. “I cannot reconcile that platform with Scripture.”
The reflex when someone claims progressive political priorities are incompatible with the Christian faith is to shoot the messenger, but that’s more difficult to do in this case. She is not a conservative commentator, Fox News regular, or Jerry Falwell acolyte. She’s a black, female Democrat. By every demographic measure, she is precisely the kind of voter the Democratic Party has long claimed and counted on.
But now she says she can’t be a Christian and a Democrat, and she explained why.
“That conviction includes the issues I cannot reconcile with Scripture: abortion, the normalization of the gay lifestyle, and the push to redefine gender,” Whitsett said. “I have compromised my relationship with Jesus for too long, and I’m grateful God did not give up on me. He gave me time to repent, turn, and be fully devoted to Him.”
The reaction from her party was swift. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel offered a response that began simply: “Good riddance.”
But somewhere along the way, a caution against political idolatry became a conviction that Jesus hovers above it all, equally at ease and equally uncomfortable with everyone; that all platforms are flawed enough to be equivalent, and that sincerity is sufficient to resolve whatever tension exists between your faith and your politics.
Michigan State Rep. Karen Whitsett, a lifelong Democrat from Detroit, now says that’s not true. On March 2, she announced she will not seek re-election and will never run for public office again. The reason, she said, has nothing to do with polling or political strategy.
“This is not a political calculation—it’s a spiritual decision,” Whitsett said.
She then went further, naming the Democratic Party itself as incompatible with her Christian faith—not a particular candidate, not a single vote, but the platform.
“For me, it is impossible to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ while remaining a member of the Democratic Party as it exists today,” Whitsett said. “I cannot reconcile that platform with Scripture.”
The reflex when someone claims progressive political priorities are incompatible with the Christian faith is to shoot the messenger, but that’s more difficult to do in this case. She is not a conservative commentator, Fox News regular, or Jerry Falwell acolyte. She’s a black, female Democrat. By every demographic measure, she is precisely the kind of voter the Democratic Party has long claimed and counted on.
But now she says she can’t be a Christian and a Democrat, and she explained why.
“That conviction includes the issues I cannot reconcile with Scripture: abortion, the normalization of the gay lifestyle, and the push to redefine gender,” Whitsett said. “I have compromised my relationship with Jesus for too long, and I’m grateful God did not give up on me. He gave me time to repent, turn, and be fully devoted to Him.”
The reaction from her party was swift. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel offered a response that began simply: “Good riddance.”
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