Posted on 11/02/2008 12:54:15 PM PST by farmer18th
I read a depressing poll two days ago that indicated a majority of American evangelicals in their twenties were going to vote for Obama.
I'd be curious to see if any Freepers heard anything today at all from the pulpit about the obligations of a Christian in a representative democracy. I can't imagine there would be many pastors courageous enough to mention a name, from the pulpit, but did any of your pastors urged you to vote for the candidate who best represented the values the historic church holds dear--life, liberty, justice? Did any of them mention any of the pro-life and pro-marriage iniatives?
Personally, I'm thinking of starting a non tax exempt church with no Rats allowed at the communion table. I don't think freedom will really be defended until the men of God actually become "Men" of God.
Your take on today's worship services would be interesting.
Praise God. There are real Christian pastors around.
No advice...but, I did go around local churches while mass was being held today to put the flyer from the Christian Coalition under everyones windshield wiper. If you can honestly call yourself Christian, voting choice should be a no brainer.
OTOH, sometimes (like now) it is malfeasantly ignorant to pretend that God does not have a will in the matter.
I go to a large church. My minister is great - very biblical and relates to modern times.
However, he errs on the side of cautiousness. He was very clear about praying and selecting people that align with our values. It was clear to me what was meant by that, but I don’t know if the uninformed got it.
You were, in fact, describing the posture of the 1930s Lutherans, who allowed Hitler to exterminate Jews. The church NEVER has anything to say about how we govern ourselves? Was Jesus just fooling when he said “not one jot or title will fall?”
Punny. Very punny.
Here’s a Christian pastor who totally “gets it.” He clarifies the Biblical criteria to keep in mind when voting, and he makes it unmistakably clear which candidate (McCain) is the better of the two in this race. It’s a must-hear series.
Decision-Making in the Voting Booth
(A Biblical perspective)
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsMPIENepsA
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmU5NTwpy18
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o62tcv6U-tg
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WceKjoeSImk
Part 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHH0_obqcjg
Part 6 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yet9WQcsM0
Part 7 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-b3-8dqFL0
or...
He shouldn’t say whom to vote for, but a major problem with modern Christianity i9s compartmentalizing everything when EVERYTHING is tied to God and our Christian worldview.
Proper Christianity views everything through the lens of faith, not splitting one thing as secular, one as religious. God owns it ALL.
We vote the way we do or should based upon a lens of faith.
That doesn’t mean God is a Republican. But, it doesn’t mean we ignore any ethical considerations when voting.
We are to consider issues of morals, ethics etc. The church during the Revolution got this.......well, at least most did except for I believe the Methodists and Anglicans, who rooted for England.
They stood up for freedom and took a stand.
There is a reason the Revolution also was called a “Presbyterian Rebellion” in England. It had faith as a core justification.
Hey ... I am a pastor and proud supporter of FreeRepublic. We have a very contemporary and young church - and by the signs of the bumper stickers in our lot today (close to 450 in attendance), McCain outstrips the chosen leader by 30-1. We simply encouraged our peeople to begin the day in prayer, to pray for our leaders, to pray for our country as a whole, and to vote for candidates that value and protect life from moment of conception and against those who would continue to support all aspects of abortion, or support the change of re-defining marriage. Now - if some dont like that - there are plenty of other churches for them to attend. I wont miss them.
Our deacon talked about how the death and resurrection of Christ is the hope of salvation for us and our loved ones.
The announcements, though, mentioned that the sanctity of life is the key issue we should keep in mind when voting.
Pastors have to be very careful with what they say in regards to the election. They can lose their non-profit status if they cross the line. I’ve gotta hand it to the catholics though.....they are standing up and saying to vote for the candidate who does not support aborting little babies.
Won't go to mass until this afternoon and I will see whether the priest speaks of the life issue. The church where I usually go has a complete liberal priest who equates feeding the hungry (dead beats) with the life issue.
We all feed the hungry through food stamps, soup kitchens,grocery food giveaways, aid to families with dependent children, etc.
He doesn't have a clue how devious some of the “poor” really are. In our area, they sell their food stamps to buy drugs and eat at the many missions, like the Salvation Army and many of the churches that prepare food for the poor and homeless.
You’re implying that the statement of a good man (about whom you know absolutely nothing) is on par with that of Nazi sympathizers? You believe he was saying that we shouldn’t vote or even take part in the world around us?
Take a look around you. There are people on both sides of this who are literally worrying themselves sick about this election. There are people who are literally getting violent about the current events these days.
You’re telling me that folks don’t, in fact, need to put it all in perspective? I’m a big fan of historical analysis and perspective, too, but your statement was way out of line.
I emailed my pastor a link to the YouTube video “A Message to Evangelicals 2”. I wish you had heard him today! He preached straight from the Book, making sure the congregation understood that we have a Christian duty to be salt and light for the world. While he never mentioned a candidate by name (I reckon it was too much to ask of him), he spoke out against liberals. I downloaded and made copies of “Is it immoral to vote for Obama?” and passed copies in Sunday school and after church. If we are going to keep saying that we are an Acts Church, it was about time we started acting like one!
Hey ... I am sick to death of this ‘seperation’ clause and losing my tax excempt status. Bring it.
Yes, he didn’t mention any names, but said there were two tenets on which a Christian had to base his/her vote: the sanctity of life, i.e. anti-abortion/pro-life, and the sanctity of marriage being between a man and woman.
My pastor has addressed the issue of life. It is clear from things he’s said who he believes Christians should support. He even said if anyone was wondering, they could ask him who he was voting for when he wasn’t on the platform. I agree with this approach. In the past, my pastor spoke against stem cell research and gambling amendments, but not specific candidates. I only know of one 18-year old Evangelical voting for Obama, but then again, I don’t ask everyone who they’re voting for. I think pastors should address moral issues, using supporting Scripture references.
That being said, I think you jumped the gun on Future Snake Eater’s comment. I have needed to remind myself several times to take my eyes on man and put them on God. A Christian’s hope is in Christ, not the world. I believe we are obligated to vote for moral candidates, but no politician can truly change this world. Only Christ can change hearts and lives. This world will never be perfect until Christ returns.
There are very few ways to put a million unborn deaths a year “into perspective.” There are very few ways to “G-D America” into perspective.
Obama is a child of the devil, and any pastor who can’t see that—and say that—isn ‘t really a pastor. He’s a hireling.
YES! He says to put Christ first, and we are all to pray (and fast) tomorrow between noon and 1:00 as our part of a national prayer campaign. He is black, but I believe he is NOT voting for Obama. Thankfully our Pastor keeps the social politics OUT of the church.
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