You’ve Been Worshipping at the Altar of Politics Without Knowing It

The Rise of Political Worship

We like to think we are too grounded for it. Too focused on “real life” to get caught up in the noise. Yet somewhere along the line, many of us have started treating politics less like civic engagement and more like Sunday morning worship—except the altar is cable news, the choir is our social media feed, and the hymns are our favorite talking points.

The Unseen Shift

It is subtle at first. A quick glance at the headlines while sipping coffee. A few “likes” on posts that line up with our beliefs. Over time, it becomes a steady habit—one that shapes our moods, fuels our conversations, and maybe even dictates who we trust. Before we know it, our hope feels tied not to God’s promises but to election cycles.

And here’s the twist—social media algorithms quietly trap us in filter bubbles, amplifying echoes that reinforce our existing views, making it harder to hear anything beyond our familiar ideological echo chamber—even when we think we are choosing freely (Forster & Wong, 2024).

Faith vs. Fandom

The danger is not in caring about issues; it is in letting those issues take the throne in our hearts. Scripture warns us that our ultimate allegiance belongs to Christ, not to any party platform or political personality. When we find more passion in defending “our side” than in serving our neighbor, that is a heart check moment.

Reclaiming Perspective

The fix is not to disengage completely—it is to recalibrate. Politics has its place, but it cannot hold our peace, our joy, or our identity. That is sacred ground reserved for God alone. Replace some of your scrolling with Scripture. Swap a heated online debate for a conversation over coffee with someone you disagree with—real human connection beats algorithm-fed outrage every time.

Eternal Perspective Over Political Identity

By God’s grace, we can participate in our communities without bowing to the idol of political identity. Civic duty matters. Eternal perspective matters more.

Best regards,
EJ