PC(USA) Advocacy Director sees Biden as ‘legitimately a man of faith’

Presbyterian and ecumenical advocacy partners already interacting with Biden-Harris team

by Rich Copley | Presbyterian News Service

Incoming President Joe Biden

LEXINGTON, Kentucky — As the 59^th Presidential Inauguration in the United States approached, staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness had plenty of reasons to be optimistic, despite the tension in Washington D.C. that exploded in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

PC(USA) Associate Director for Advocacy the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins says he and his staff have been part of seven meetings with Biden’s representatives. He adds that they have been given information on how to request meetings with the administration, which they have already utilized and received replies, though nothing is set up yet.

Hawkins also sees in the incoming administration policies more in line with church policy and advocacy on numerous issues including immigration, poverty, and race relations, though he adds there will be areas in which the church’s advocacy offices will push the administration.

But above all of that, Hawkins sees Biden, a Roman Catholic, as a leader deeply rooted in and guided by his faith in God.

“To have a president who is legitimately a man of faith is going to be inspirational to a lot of people,” Hawkins says. He notes that Pope Francis, who has taken many strong stands for social justice, has been an inspiration to people who are not Catholic or even Christian and says, “I think Biden will have some of that same impact. He will inspire people, whether they are people of faith or not.

“He will be the type of leader that when he tells you he is a person of faith, he’s legitimate. He’s not just saying it to win votes.”

The Rev. Denise Anderson, coordinator of the PC(USA) Office of Racial & Intercultural Justice, echoes Hawkins’ view, describing Biden as a man “who very naturally and organically expresses his faith.”

With incoming Vice President Kamala Harris, Anderson sees “a very interesting religious milieu going into the White House and the Naval Observatory,” as Harris was raised in a Christian and Hindu household and identifies as a Black Baptist. Her husband, Douglas Emhoff, is Jewish.

Hawkins says that since Biden’s election there has been a lot of activity among ecumenical partners in Washington with sign-on letters, invitations to meet the transition team, and other collaboration on advocacy.

Looking ahead, Hawkins says that a major focus of the new administration has to be economic.

“A lot of people feel trapped in their lives,” Hawkins says. “The economy has driven a lot of the support for (outgoing President Donald) Trump, and Trump let them down.

“If (Biden) can fix the economy and bring all the jobs back, that will be a major accomplishment. No matter what he says, if people can’t get jobs, it won’t matter.”

Hawkins also sees major work ahead restoring the United States’ standing on the international stage and healing deep divides in the nation along racial, economic, and political lines, saying Trump has exacerbated those rifts. And Trump, particularly since losing the election, has damaged trust in government, which will ultimately make governing a greater challenge for Biden, Hawkins says.

In addition to healing those divides, Hawkins sees Biden playing a role in restoring faith in faith itself.

“It’s very important to have a president of faith,” Hawkins says. “We know that religion, and particularly Christianity in this country, is decreasing in popularity. Fewer and fewer people are joining churches … We’re at a point where religion has fallen into disfavor … especially among young people. I think they are saying that all the church cares about is the church. The church is not attuned to social justice. The church is not engaged in ways that are relevant to my life.

“There’s a lot of mistaken perception about the church and about religion in general. People don’t really know the history of the church. They don’t know how the church has been engaged in advocacy and justice across the line — almost every denomination has a history of social justice advocacy, to different degrees.”

The next four years will not be easy, but Hawkins sees Biden as the president for this moment.

“He’s going to make the country feel good about itself again. He’s going to make people feel proud of their president. He’s going to be able to govern efficiently,” Hawkins says, citing the expertise of the incoming president’s cabinet.

“I see nothing but an opportunity for this country to get back on track.”

The Office of Public Witness and the Office of Racial & Intercultural Justice are Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.