Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Why I Write These Columns: An Open Letter To Christian Conservatives
Chuck Baldwin Ministries ^ | 01-30-03 | Baldwin, Chuck

Posted on 01/29/2004 10:09:25 AM PST by Theodore R.

Why I Write These Columns: An Open Letter To Christian Conservatives

By Chuck Baldwin

Food For Thought From The Chuck Wagon

January 30, 2004 My purpose in writing these columns is to make people think, to confront current events and trends with an intense appreciation for truth. My desire is also to awaken a lethargic population to an ever increasing societal, cultural, political, and spiritual departure from America's historic Christian roots and from a commitment to constitutional government.

When I confronted the foibles and fallacies of President Bill Clinton, Christian conservatives hailed me a hero. I was deluged with congratulatory emails and letters. Their appreciation for my work could not be expressed loudly or often enough.

However, when I confront the foibles and fallacies of President George W. Bush, those same Christian conservatives call me every dirty name in the book. I am suddenly their enemy. Their songs of praise for my work have turned into a cacophony of hate. But amazingly, I am saying the same things now that I said then. So, what has changed?

I submit that what has changed are the attitudes and principles of vast numbers of Christian conservatives. Where once they stood for truth, they now stand for political parties. Where once they gave their loyalty and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and even the Bible, they now swear loyalty and allegiance to G. W. Bush and the Republican Party. It seems that many Christians have become little more than spineless lackeys for a political machine. They seem to have lost the ability to think critically and objectively.

Scores of readers have chastised me for criticizing President Bush, calling him God's "anointed." Countless numbers of Christians seem to believe that G.W. Bush deserves the kind of unquestioned loyalty that they would give to the Apostle Paul or even to Christ Himself. Of course, such thinking is beyond foolishness; it borders on blasphemy!

G. W. Bush is an elected politician. He was elected President of these United States. Nothing more; nothing less. He has no more divine "anointing" than any other elected politician.

Where was all this "anointing" talk when Bill Clinton was elected President? The same God that permitted Bush to become President permitted Clinton to become President. Yet, Christian conservatives called Clinton the Anti-Christ, whereas they now want to add Bush to the Holy Trinity. However, they can't have it both ways: If Bush is God's "anointed," so was Clinton.

While we are on the subject, it seems lost to most Christian conservatives that G.W. Bush is a member of the same church denomination as Senator Hillary Clinton. Yet, I doubt that we will hear many of them referring to Hillary's divine "anointing."

The fact is, under our form of government, God has given to "we the people" the right and responsibility of selecting our leaders. Therefore, we have the President, the Congress, the courts, and the state and local leaders that we elect.

There is no king or monarch in America! There is no "divine right" to any political party or to any politician to any public office in this country! In America, the people must rule themselves. They do this through their elected lawmakers and elected chief executives.

When the people's elected leaders stray from their oaths of office, when they violate their contracts with the people, when they govern unjustly or unconstitutionally, it is the right and duty of the people to openly criticize them, scold them, and replace them.

One of America's finer presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or anyone else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."

My criticisms of President Bush are consistent with my criticisms of President Clinton. They are based on his policies, statements, and administrative decisions. I never attempt to judge his heart, for only God has judgment and authority there. However, I will continue to judge his actions, or inactions, as is my constitutional right and duty to do.

Accordingly, I charge G. W. Bush with posturing himself as a conservative while giving us bigger government than did even Bill Clinton. I charge him with creating the machinery with which a police state may emerge. Furthermore, I charge President Bush with attempting to take more freedoms away from the American people than any president in modern memory.

I also believe that Mr. Bush has redundantly violated his oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and that he has given nothing but lip service to the pro-life and pro-family agendas. It is also my contention that President Bush has jeopardized the security of these United States and has made a mockery of our nation's laws by his treacherous illegal alien amnesty proposal. He also lied to the American people by saying he supported the Second Amendment only later to endorse the Clinton gun ban.

Even worse, I charge Christian conservatives with willingly surrendering their independent thinking as well as their American heritage in order to accommodate President Bush and the Republican Party. I further charge them with selling their spiritual birthright for a mess of political pottage!

We should expect more of our leaders than lip service. Indeed, if any elected office holder talks the Christian talk, he should be held to a higher, not lesser, standard. Beyond that, the one standard that really matters for any elected politician is not his rhetoric, but his loyalty and commitment to America's founding principles. This should be the overriding determinate as to whether he or she is re- elected or un-elected, party affiliation or denominational affiliation notwithstanding.

Therefore, I stand by my criticisms of President Bush. And I will continue to warn the American people of his big government, pseudo-conservative policies. I will not be partaker of his political sins.

Whether readers react with anger or appreciation to these columns is not my responsibility. If, however, these columns can somehow create a hunger for truth, a thirst for freedom, and a reverence for America's founding principles, they will have attained their intended purpose.

© Chuck Baldwin


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2004election; abortion; apostlepaul; bush; bushhaters; christ; christianity; clinton; democrat; election2004; helpelectasocialist; hillaryclinton; methodism; politicians; politics; presidentclark; presidentdean; presidentedwards; presidentkerry; presidentlarouche; presidentsharpton; republican; troosevelt
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-149 next last

1 posted on 01/29/2004 10:09:27 AM PST by Theodore R.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
Hear, Hear!
2 posted on 01/29/2004 10:11:17 AM PST by RiflemanSharpe (An American for a more socially and fiscally conservation America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
Go to Chuck Baldwin's web site. See if you can find anything there about Jesus. If it's there, it's really hidden. This guy has no "ministry." He's a jerk.
3 posted on 01/29/2004 10:11:19 AM PST by MineralMan (godless atheist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
I have to say that I don't agree with Mr. Baldwin. Do I agree with President Bush on every decision he's made? Absolutely not. I do believe, however, that "W" makes his decisions on what he truly believes is right. Clinton, on the other hand, governed based upon polls.
4 posted on 01/29/2004 10:15:32 AM PST by Softballmom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
Baldwin sounds like he's one of the Dixie Chicks.
5 posted on 01/29/2004 10:19:03 AM PST by Chi-townChief
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
Is Chuck any relation to ALEC, by chance? Sounds like it to me....
6 posted on 01/29/2004 10:20:16 AM PST by JustPlainJoe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Softballmom
I do believe, however, that "W" makes his decisions on what he truly believes is right.

Does he truly believe that giving defacto amnesty to illegal alien invaders that are gradually turning America into a Third World country is the "right" thing to do?

Does he truly believe that expanding the size and scope of government faster and larger than Bill Clinton and Teddy Kennedy ever dreamed of is the "right" thing to do?

Let's ask Mr. Rove, shall we?

7 posted on 01/29/2004 10:22:42 AM PST by bassmaner (Let's take the word "liberal" back from the commies!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: bassmaner
Ever wonder how many of the FR Bushbots would be so tolerant of GWB's runaway spending and immigration proposal if he were, say, pro-choice?

(And, no, I'm not a DU troll and I will be voting for Bush in November. So don't even go there, people.)
8 posted on 01/29/2004 10:27:21 AM PST by kevao
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
The bible warns of being seduced by the spirit of party
9 posted on 01/29/2004 10:28:57 AM PST by joesnuffy (Moderate Islam Is For Dilettantes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #10 Removed by Moderator

To: MineralMan
As a godless athiest, you're seeking Jesus now? I congratulate you. Might I suggest the Holy Bible? I'd recommend starting with the Gospel of Luke and then Galatians. Don't seek Jesus on the website of someone who is really more of a social commentator than a minister.
11 posted on 01/29/2004 10:31:52 AM PST by FatherOfLiberty (Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Softballmom
I do believe, however, that "W" makes his decisions on what he truly believes is right.

Well then he might be insane or stupid, because amnesty is not the right thing to do unless he is ok with Cali being renamed "Northern Baja" and L.A. being renamed "Tijuana Norte".

12 posted on 01/29/2004 10:34:20 AM PST by Bella_Bru (For all your tagline needs. Don't delay! Orders shipped overnight.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: FatherOfLiberty
"As a godless athiest, you're seeking Jesus now? I congratulate you. Might I suggest the Holy Bible? I'd recommend starting with the Gospel of Luke and then Galatians. Don't seek Jesus on the website of someone who is really more of a social commentator than a minister."

Uh, I'm not seeking Jesus. This guy claims to be running a Christian ministry, yet never mentions Christ in his diatribes. I don't trust folks who claim one thing, but never discuss it. He has no ministry. He is not a minister. He is just a political commentator, using references to Christianity to attract an audience. He's a jerk and a liar.
13 posted on 01/29/2004 10:37:52 AM PST by MineralMan (godless atheist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.; hchutch; dighton; aculeus; DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet; My2Cents; ohioWfan
Food For Thought From The Chuck Wagon

Great. The "Reverend" Baldwin wants to give everyone mental ptomaine poisoning.

14 posted on 01/29/2004 10:39:32 AM PST by Poohbah ("Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons?" -- Maj. Vic Deakins, USAF)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
Clarity Needed on Campaign Law-Campaign Finance Reform thread-day 49

15 posted on 01/29/2004 10:40:27 AM PST by The_Eaglet (Conservative chat on IRC: http://searchirc.com/search.php?F=exact&T=chan&N=33&I=conservative)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: joesnuffy
The bible warns of being seduced by the spirit of party

Cite the exact verse, please.

16 posted on 01/29/2004 10:40:36 AM PST by Poohbah ("Would you mind not shooting at the thermonuclear weapons?" -- Maj. Vic Deakins, USAF)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
You know George W Bush is a man of God. My paster, Dr. Jack Graham, has spent many hours at the White House with him. All of us as believers sin and have to repent to our Heavenly Father on stupid calls we make daily. Why is our President any different? He is still human people. The difference is he wants to do whats right in his heart unlike others who just don't give a crap.

Remember a non vote for Bush is a vote for baby-killers/socialist/marxists government no matter how you like to candy coat it!!!!
17 posted on 01/29/2004 10:41:01 AM PST by PaulaB (Satan’s little helpers--the godless liberal media)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Theodore R.
I have to wonder at the "conservative christian" label. I'm a conservative christian that voted for Bush in 2000 while the majority of christian conservatives stayed home and didn't vote for Bush.

I should have followed their lead and will not make the same mistake again in 2004. My eyes have been opened to the irrepairable harm that can be done in holding one's nose while voting.
18 posted on 01/29/2004 10:46:28 AM PST by MissAmericanPie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Poohbah
Food for thought from The Up-Chuck Wagon.
19 posted on 01/29/2004 10:48:05 AM PST by My2Cents ("Failure is not an option.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: MineralMan
So what - who he is, what he is. I read the article & agree. If this president was Bubba he would be destroyed constantly on this site for his domestic agenda. Come on, you all know this is true.
20 posted on 01/29/2004 10:48:13 AM PST by Digger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 141-149 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson