Posted on 05/27/2003 3:21:50 PM PDT by Theodore R.
Choosing Between Republicans And Democrats Is Like Choosing Between Pharisees and Sadducees
By Chuck Baldwin
Food For Thought From The Chuck Wagon May 28, 2003 When our Lord walked this earth, there were two major "parties" leading the Jewish people: the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Both of these groups posed major problems for Christ. Furthermore, though each group opposed the other, neither of them represented the truth. We have a very similar situation today in the United States with the two major political parties. In fact, the two major parties are eerily similar to those two problem-groups of Jesus' day.
Pharisees were the "conservatives" of their day. They believed in God and in personal morality. On the other hand, Sadducees were the "liberals" of their day. They were blatantly secular in philosophy and conduct. If they were yet with us today, Pharisees would doubtless feel right at home in the Republican Party, while Sadducees would fit right in with the Democratic Party.
While the Pharisees and Sadducees fiercely fought each other, they were both the enemies of Christ. When it came to supporting error and opposing truth, they were united. The same is true today with the Republican and Democratic parties.
Republicans and Democrats only argue about things that have to do with enriching each party's power and influence. On matters of substance, however, they are mostly united.
For example, neither party gives a flip about what the U.S. Constitution says. The only time they refer to it is when they seek an advantage over the other party. On the whole, elected public officials from both parties take their oath of office about as seriously as a lion takes the hissing of an opossum.
Beyond that, neither party believes in the principle of limited government. The size and scope of the federal government continues to skyrocket regardless of which party is in power. Republicans increase government by incurring debt; Democrats increase government by raising taxes. The result is the same: government gets bigger and bigger, while freedom gets smaller and smaller.
Furthermore, Pharisees and Sadducees alike supported Caesar. In fact, this was one of the central charges against Christ: He was seen as a rebel who refused to acknowledge the divine authority of Caesar. Because of this, Jesus was branded "unpatriotic." This ultimately led to His crucifixion. Conservatives today are doing the same thing.
Anyone who refuses to acknowledge that President Bush has been given divine authority to act outside the U.S. Constitution is branded as unpatriotic or worse. Several conservatives have even gone so far as to call G. W. Bush, "America's King." To them, Bush is Caesar, and America is an empire.
In the meantime, both parties continue to ignore or expunge the principles of truth and righteousness upon which our country was founded. Therefore, choosing between Republicans and Democrats is like choosing between Pharisees and Sadducees.
© Chuck Baldwin
NOTE: These commentaries are copyrighted and may be reposted or republished without charge providing the publication does not charge for subscriptions or advertising and providing the publication reposts the column intact with full credit given including Chuck's web site: www.chuckbaldwinlive.com. If the publication charges for subscriptions or advertising, the publication must contact chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com for permission to use this column.
God requires good and righteous people/nations to oppose evil.
HELLO CHUCK!!! That's us, the good guys!
Baloney.
Several conservatives have even gone so far as to call G. W. Bush, "America's King." To them, Bush is Caesar, and America is an empire.
Who? You don't get any points for playing smack-down with a straw man.
WTF???? Who are these conservatives who have coronated GWB as "King George" in the media? God, the New York Times wishes some prominent "neocon" would call him "America's King" - they could generate enough hysteria and column-inches to make the entire world say "Jayson who?" in about three days.
As for Repubs and Dems, Repubs argue that they have BOTH the law and the truth on their side. The Dems can only counter with an antithesis: Hillary Clinton.
"While the Pharisees and Sadducees fiercely fought each other, they were both the enemies of Christ. When it came to supporting error and opposing truth, they were united. The same is true today with the Republican and Democratic parties. "
In the context of today, the present, 2003, the only issue where both parties have met in agreement (somewhat) is the War with Iraq. The only issue where it can be argued that opponents have been called unpatriotic in opposition is the the War with Iraq.
It seems a stretch to apply Mr. Baldwin's train of logic to government spending, unless it's sensationalistic in nature.
By your reading of the article, I would agree. There is hardly a difference between the two parties when it comes to the dispersal of pork. In my opinion, the article, and by extension, Mr. Baldwin's point, would have greater merit without using the same straw man I see used in a lot of these articles.
Has either party taken a firm stand on the Fourth Amendment?
In context to the Patriot Act, yes. Their stand happens to be firmly against the 4th Amendment.
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.