What’s God got to do with it? Faith and politics at the Cabinet table

Recently, Canada’s Minister of State for Science and Technology, Gary Goodyear, made headlines for refusing to state his beliefs on evolution. Goodyear responded to a question about evolution by saying “I'm not going to answer that question. I am a Christian, and I don't think anybody asking a question about my religion is appropriate.”

The interview created a minor media sensation. Critics argued Goodyear had no right to be the minister responsible for science funding if he didn’t believe in a widely held scientific tenet, while supporters claimed Goodyear was the victim of a secular humanist attack on religion. Still others noted that since the government’s policy on funding research on evolution has not changed, there was no need to demand Goodyear’s removal from the position. The always-sensitive issue of religion and politics was back in the headlines.

The response highlighted the uncertainty with which many Canadians approach the topic of faith and politics. Leaving aside the question of Goodyear’s particular beliefs – which other people of faith may or may not share – this incident raised many questions in the public debate. Does Goodyear, as a cabinet minister, have the right to express his personal beliefs publicly? Do his religious beliefs disqualify him from public office in a field where his view is not the majority opinion? And what impact should Goodyear’s personal religious belief have on his policy decisions as a cabinet minister?

There are some Canadians who respond to these questions by saying that faith has no place in the public sphere. However, this is an impossible proposition. If faith has no place in the public sphere, then there are many others besides Goodyear who would be disqualified from public service. No one is truly free of ultimate commitments, or faith.

Faith shapes how we understand the world, how we interact with our neighbours, how we identify with our institutions and how we value our environment. Such faith is not restricted to formal religious affiliations such as Christianity, Islam or Judaism. Capitalism, humanism, and liberalism are also religious value systems. If it is appropriate for someone who places their faith in the market to participate in politics, then why is it inappropriate for someone who places their faith in God? Faith isn’t something that can be kept private.

There are also some Canadians who believe that politics is a power struggle in which people of religion must seek to impose their religious values on others. This is an equally problematic proposition. When this happens, politics is no longer about the common good and faith is reduced to “just us” rather than “justice.” In a diverse, multi-cultural, multi-religious society like Canada, caring for our neighbour and seeking justice in our governance must encompass more than one point of view and can be a point of convergence among followers of religions.

Public justice requires a space for dialogue, in which people of all faiths have the opportunity to participate and together seek the common good. People need to be able to participate from their particular faith perspective, bringing their values to bear on the debate, seeking with others how to respectfully move forward with policies that practice justice, respect, and compassion. This is not the mushy middle, the average of everyone’s belief system thrown together. Rather, it is a way to construct policy options that reflect shared values, encompass differing opinions, and protect the different faiths, cultures and values of Canadians.

Having such a respectful dialogue of values isn’t always easy. What happens when religious values clash with the values of Canadian society? What happens when cultural or religious values are challenged by minority rights? What happens when our predominant values pit the economy against the environment? These can create difficult situations.

But this kind of dialogue cannot be dismissed. Respectful dialogue is the core of democracy, and it will enrich our governance. Personal beliefs, faith commitments and value systems cannot be kept separate from politics. But our mutual commitment to public justice can ensure that our political engagement as people of diverse faiths and values shares a respectful, dialogue-based approach to politics that prioritizes the common good of all Canadians and our environment.