Opinion. Christian churches must take a larger role in the election campaign

Christian churches in Sweden must actively engage in the upcoming election campaign, not as partisan actors, but as advocates for human dignity and fundamental societal issues, argues Kerstin Arnesson in an opinion piece for Dagens Nyheter.

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Churches should not be partisan, but they have a responsibility to raise fundamental questions about people's living conditions.

Arnesson, a social democrat and member of the Church of Sweden, questions why Christian churches, with their long tradition of social responsibility and deep understanding of people's vulnerabilities, are not more vocal. She contends that churches encounter individuals across all ages and life situations, giving them unique insights into hardship and insecurity that many politicians lack.

"Churches should not be partisan, but they have a responsibility to raise fundamental questions about people's living conditions," Arnesson writes. She urges churches to challenge politicians to provide concrete answers on how to strengthen the welfare system's safety nets, increase security, and ensure everyone can live a dignified life, regardless of their location or circumstances.

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Therefore, I urge Christian churches to take a clearer stand in the election campaign.

However, Arnesson also calls for self-reflection within the churches. She warns that if churches become primarily venues for ceremonies, concerts, culture, and internal discussions, they risk losing a vital part of their mission. "Therefore, I urge Christian churches to take a clearer stand in the election campaign," she concludes. "They should not pursue party politics, but they should champion the Christian voice in society and stand up for human dignity when it is most needed."

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They should not pursue party politics, but they should champion the Christian voice in society and stand up for human dignity when it is most needed.