On faith and politics

I think Christianity has definitely done better when it is not … has not been either in [a] position of power or aspiring to acquire power.

I think Christian faith has been born as a marginal religion. I think the designation of Jesus as the marginal Jew I think fits quite well, and through many decades and even centuries Christian faith has kept itself apart from power, and I think that’s a very good position for Christian faith to be in. I think more generally, it is a very good position for religion to be. I believe that world religions, including Christianity, are cultural systems distinct from politics and they function the best when they see themselves as distinct from politics. Not uninvolved in political things, but certainly separate cultural systems.