Posted on 10/25/2004 3:39:15 PM PDT by Lindykim
I agree. My mother-in-law goes to the Old Regular Baptist Church which amounts to a bunch of elderly folks from Kentucky, West Virginia and Southern Ohio holding services and traditions from the days of the circut preachers in the 19th century (it is an interesting experience to attend, almost a time warp to women sitting on one side, men on the other, etc...). They are very legalistic in many of their views, but the majority of them vote Democrat. My wife's uncle, who is a Republican attending the church, asked why they vote democrat. The response showed much ignorance - "We vote for the party, not the candidate." Their voting practices are still in a time warp just like their church! They do not realize that the part of FDR is now the party of the homosexuals, abortionists and secularists! However, to debate them is futile, as I tried once. They are very closed minded and believe the Republican party is the "party of the rich, not the working man." Sad indeed.
The basic presumption of the American constitutional system is the idea of limited government. There is always going to be some tension between people who expect their government to solve problems, and those who expect their government to set the stage so that they can solve them themselves.
Since these are tendencies, and someone who would prefer more government action on one issue might prefer less on another, there is always going to be disagreement between people of good will, and people who consistently lean one way or the other are going to coalesce into parties. It would be entirely possible for believers to fall into both camps.
Outside the US, there is no equivalent to the American Republican Party, the assumptions everywhere except here prevail that it is the governments job to manage people and business, and there are sincere, believing Christians who can't imagine that American-style government could ever work anywhere but America. They're wrong, of course, but they are no less Christian.
If assumptions about the role of government were the only thing separating the two, it would be entirely possible for Christians to be proud members of the DNC as well as the RNC. But that isn't the only thing separating them since the hard left took control. The hard left are marxists, and they have done everything possible to drive believers out of the party. For the hard left, an activist government is only the beginning of what they have in mind for us, and they will tolerate believers only as long as they can manipulate them, while holding them in contempt. Condescension when they need them, contempt when they don't.
I do believe that the Republican party tends to be closer to Christian principles than the Democrats but I also believe that there are Democrats that are Christians.
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Separation of the sheep from the goats, you will chose who you serve, God does not have gray areas, it is either right or wrong, for him or against him. You can't be 1/2 sheep and 1/2 goat. There will be no one sitting on the fence, even the middle area of lukewarm will get people spewed from his mouth. Be hot or cold but don't think you can hide in the middle. I think God was a bit strong about that!!
Christians accept Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. That does not mean that they we are free of sin. Coveting is a sin at least equal to the ones you mentioned above I, despite my best effort – from time to time – have been guilty of that sin; I am still a Christian. While denying a sin is a sin is hypocritical, it is – technically – not a greater sin than your average sin.
See #23 and #29
Strong enough that He became one of us, died a very painful death – which he could have avoided at any time, by simply getting off the cross – to save us from our sins. I do not believe that all Democrats will go to Hell, any more than I believe that all Republicans will go to Heaven.
We may agree on the relative ratios, but that is not the same thing.
he = He
Legalism and Liberalism go hand in hand. Politically correct busy-body, tyrannical mentalities, both.
The DemocRAT party is their natural home.
Jesus hung out with people who knew they were "sinners" and constantly condemned the attitude of the politically correct ("religious left") perfect people of His day.
Why, thank you!
So all Democrats go to hell?
No, thank you! I've been having this discussion with a couple of people for a couple of days, now, and you articulated it beautifully! You put things in a clear perspective very succinctly. Now, I know where to direct their browsers.
First, the term "Liberalism" in general defines a political philoshphy and not theological teachings or beliefs.
How convenient for this unknown person. All of the benefits but none of those nasty drawbacks like noting the ejecta of this philosophy and the damage it is causing to our society and to civilization.
A close reading of the Holy scriptures will show that neither liberalism nor conservatism is mentioned.
True enough. But right and wrong are definitely mentioned. Some of these instances are referred to as "Commandments". One side in this debate doesn't seem to be too enamored with these items, especially as they relate to the governing of our cities, towns and nation.
Both you and I have to make personal choices every day of our lives, and we will answer to God for each choice
That we will. But since this person doesn't seem willing to admit that many "liberals" make different choices from others (after all, he claims liberalism is a philosophy, not a system of belief) one wonders why this covering statement is included.
First, the bible teaches that ever political leader, (the bible says King), gains his authority from God and is there to serve God's purpose in some manner. The bible doesn' say ever good conservative King, it says ever King and even included that arch enemy of conservatives, William Jefferson Clinton.
Also true. But that argument would be more convincing if the author could tell us where Christians are instructed to knowingly and willingly support a "king" whose teachings do not align with Scripture.
Now let me give you a truism regarding Christianity. You can't accept part of God's teaching and throw out the parts you don't like.
Let me reply with another truism: one side of this debate is throwing out a heck of a lot more than the other side. This isn't a difficult thing to see.
I don't believe the Bible teaches communism any more than I believe it teaches conversativism. However, I believe it does teach us to love our fellow man, that we are our brother's keeper and the proper response to all mankind's problems is not to simply say "Get a Job."
All well and good. But while we are called to voluntarily help our fellow man, most conservatives I know believe that there is a Godly way to accomplish all these things - which does not involve breaking His laws.
Loving our fellow man does not include jumping into bed with him, or attempting to marry him. Being our brothers' keeper does not necessarily include being placed in involuntary financial servitude to the institutions dedicated to this purpose. And getting a job could very well be the best way for our downtrodden brothers and sisters to provide for themselves.
Our Lord never said that following His path would be easy. I too believe that it's a bit far-fetched to say you can't be both a Christian and a liberal, but the moral high-wire act a liberal Christian must perform seems infinitely more dangerous.
I agree completely. Christians can be saved and be wrong on many things. They need only be right on one.
But being pro-abortion, pro-homosexuality and pro-big government (which is liberalism) contradicts the Christian faith, and harms our witness to the world. I'm sure that you and I agree here.
Thanks for the reply - here is what I had sent to this fellow before I posted:
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Interesting that I should get your reply – although you were not one I sent this too.
There is a lot that you did not mention – of the more important points missed:
There are conservative Democrats and Liberal Republicans – it’s not completely a party line issue.
The Liberal agenda includes many blatantly anti –Bible ideologies such as Murder of unborn children, promotion of homosexual lifestyle, etc.
YES – the Bible teaches (particularly in the early Church) for CHURCH members to pool resources and to take care of orphans, widows, etc. It does NOT give instructions to the GOVERNMENT to do these things (unlike the liberal/leftist mentality). This is what separates my view on public assistance from the left’s.
Yes – ALL those in authority are there by the authority of God – as even unpleasant and terrible things also ALL work to the Glory of God. But we also get what we deserve – as our country sinks further into moral decay and indecency, so shall our level of leadership. I can’t help but wonder if we are being allowed to sink into the gutter much as Israel did before their judgment – to make a point and to teach a lesson. Notice how the good Kings in Israel was granted an “extension” of time before their judgment.
Neither political party is perfect – thus the reason I don’t vote a “straight party line”, instead voting for the candidate that most closely reflects my ideology. My rather “conservative” political point of view precludes me from voting for any candidate that comes down on the “wrong” side of issues as they relate to my beliefs.
Guess how many “liberal” candidates I typically vote for.....
Sounds like you and I were pretty much in agreement - which is good. I posted this and started sweating. LOL
I do not believe that all Democrats will go to Hell, any more than I believe that all Republicans will go to Heaven.
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Depends on your repentence, if your never responsible for your own actions, its everyone elses fault then what could you possibly have to repent for and what use would you have for Christ. WHO in their right mind would stand and support a group or a man who agreed with killing babies, and agreed with the very life style that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah? Then be so blind as to call themselves Christlike or Christian. Christ said He came that we would have life and life more abundantly. Both abortion and a gay life style speak death of mankind, I don't think that is what He intended. He did NOT give his life so we could destroy the creation of life!! His death was not a license to do as we please and fulfill the desires of our flesh and ideas of what is wrong or right. ALL fall short but to blatently choose a man you know is against God and his principals is not a cliff edge I care to stand on.
Liberalism has been hijacked by bizarre special-interest thugs who spit on the Word of God and believe that the Bible has no place in public life, (except maybe in a museum where people can look at it from time to time).
Except when something the bible says suits their purposes. Look now Kerry has been quoting Bible and talking about his fait..........only to get votes.
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