I'm still working on this idea of voting politicians into office, and what the criteria are or should be. Should their worldview be a significant consideration or just their political savvy? Should it matter if they don't believe in God the way we do as Christians? Should we vote primarily because of their public policies, or should we base our decision on their unflappable moral standards? If you've got ideas on these questions I'd love to hear them. Tomorrow I'm going to be posting my ideas about how we should approach the idea of voting for a Presidential candidate.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
This is how we do it
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I think that their world view is very important. I don't think that it's important that they believe the way we do(denomination) but, that they do believe in God and trust in him for direction. Public policies and faith go hand and hand. If they don't preserve this country the way God established it, then our freedoms will come to an end including freedom of religion.And that doesn't just effect us here in the US.
Interesting. I gear that more often than not when we refer to "freedom of religion" we are really only referring to Christianity. Would we want public policy and faith to go hand in hand if the person occupying th office was not of our same religion?
I believe that the separation of church and state is very important to the church-and not just the state.
Jason, I disagree with you. This country was not founded to be a "Christian Nation." God did not establish it. Men did. While many of the men who did start this country may have believed in God, not all were necessarily Christians. Many of them were simply diests. More of it had to do w/ the tyranny of English Kingdom than it did practicing Christianity. The North was often known to be much more religious than the South...and their reasons certainly were economic. I also believe we make a grave mistake if we say, "let's take back the nation for God!" I do not believe we should presume that we're to be a "Christian Nation" just b/c we are Judeo-Christian society. Looking back at history, it never worked well when the "Church" was in charge of the government...and look at other countries, now, who implement Islam or other religions and their "state religion." Their countries are consistantly in conflict among their own pple and internationally (Saudis, Iranians etc.). First Amendment says freedom of religion and speech, that means...any religion we choose...not just Christianity. I don't think it's necessary that my president practice Christianity (and if he does, well that's great!)...is he honest and will he uphold the constitution to the letter?? ...Among other issues...
sorry that was bit long...
Congress does not represent the values of this nation. They only reflect the values of those who vote in this nation. If evangelicals don't put forth people that look and believe as they do, someone else's values will define morality in this nation. And I say, not on my watch.
In 2000, about half of evangelicals voted and 17 out of the 20 men/women new to congress were pro-choice. In 2004, three fourths of evangelicals voted and 17 out of 20 of the men/women new to congress were pro-life. Now in 2008, evangelicals don't like either candidate and will likely stay home in vast numbers. Meanwhile, the homosexual lobby has 100% voter turn out.
It is absolutely critical to put people into office who are Godly. We sing "God Bless America" but we have to give God an America he can bless. We have to give him laws and leaders who are bless-able. He says he won't/can't bless the shedding of innocent blood. So if we want his blessing, let's work our tails off to get him pro-life leaders and laws.
America is in trouble - what's happening (flooding) herre in the HEARTland parallels a greater spiritual reality - our moral levies have now been fully breached and defilement in flooding our cities and homes. Where are the moral leaders and voices in the church?? Some pastors tell me they aim to stay out of politics and just "preach the gospel". Do they not realize the soil has everything to do with the receptivity of the gospel seed? By not attending to the matters of the soil they are ensuring that generations to come are hostile and not open to the gospel seed. Do they not realize the gospel is far more than the sinners prayer - its a Kingdom coming to earth - and the Kingdom leaven is to permeate the entire loaf - not, just the"church sector" but the social sector, educational sector, political sector, etc. etc.
: )
Thanks for the input guys, keep them coming. :)
Post a Comment