Real with Rue

I am a Christian who believes that God should influence every area of our lives, including our political views. When I look at the Gospel, I see that it radically challenged society at the time. Jesus taught that the poor are blessed and that God is close to them in a world that saw them as cursed. Jesus welcomed women as followers, even an ex-prostitute, without judging her past. He loved the poor and welcomed widows and the outcast.

Jesus also had a radically different view on wealth. He taught that we should use our money differently, urging generosity and responsible stewardship. Those with wealth have a moral duty. The Bible is like a double-edged sword when it comes to politics. It gives leaders the authority to rule, while simultaneously giving ordinary people the responsibility to resist any authoritarian power that brings injustice to God’s people.

So when I hear people say that Christianity is the “white man’s religion,” or label it as strictly conservative or liberal, or worst of all claim that “God brought slavery to punish Black people,” I have to respond with historical context. Christianity began in Africa and Asia and only later spread to Europe. Slavery was so wicked and unimaginable that those who justified it twisted scripture, even giving enslaved Africans altered versions of the Bible that emphasized obedience to “masters.” It was a horrific distortion of God’s word.

Here lies my struggle. As a Black Christian woman, it can feel as if you must choose between your faith and your identity. That is not what Jesus intended. He is the God who stands against injustice and inequality. It is impossible to follow Christ and ignore injustice. Revelation 7:9 shows us a heavenly picture of “every nation, tribe, people and language” worshipping God. Believing that Christ belongs solely to white people is not just wrong; it is anti-Christ and demonic to erase the multicultural, global body of Christ.

When I look at the death of Charlie Kirk (may he rest in peace), it struck me that his views on Black women and immigrants often overshadowed the Gospel he preached. This reflects my broader issue with some American Christians. Many worship an Americanised God who loves guns and prioritises “justice” only through a cultural lens, rather than seeing a world desperately in need of Jesus. It is dangerous to minimise the effects of racism, gender inequality, Islamophobia, and homophobia. Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbour as ourselves. If we are to love like Christ, we must first recognise the image of God in each person. Everything God does flows from love, including correction. Loving only people who look like you is not the love of Christ.

How do we fix this? Michael Jackson was right when he said, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror,” because we all have biases that shape how we see others and how we respond to tragedies. Every day, I ask the Lord to search my heart and remove whatever contradicts His word. I ask God to help me love like He does. Correction is part of the Christian walk, but true correction always comes from love. Healing begins with honesty, daily self-reflection, acknowledging the brokenness within our faith communities, and praying for unity.

its been real,

Rue