Posted on 09/16/2004 2:07:41 PM PDT by FatLoser
The Religious "Right" The Compatibility of Christianity and Republicanism...
[John Mark Reynolds] 6/18/04
Why should a Christian be a Republican? First, no political party should dominate our thinking. Christianity is not just first in my view of the world; it is the only view of the world.
Having said that, it seems important to me to work for and with the Republican Party and not just stand on the edge of the field being critical. No party is perfect, but the Republican Party maximizes my ability to make a difference. So why am I a Republican?
The Republican Party has a glorious past. It was founded to free the slaves. Abraham Lincoln, the greatest president of the United States, was its first president. It has always had an active, evangelical wing. It has never been the party of bigotry and disunity.
The Republican Party has long been comfortable with Western tradition and a sensible Christian civil religious fingerprint in policy. It is no accident that before it went mad, the Episcopal Church could be called the Republican Party at prayer. While a great advocate of social justice causes, it also has always had a high respect for tradition. Republicans produced Theodore Roosevelt, a patrician reformer. Democrats produced Woodrow Wilson, perhaps the worst President of the twentieth century.
The Republicans are the party of government. William Jennings Bryan, three times the Democrat nominee for President, gave great speeches. Republicans ran the nation and made her great. Democrats weep for the poor and produce programs that create more poor. Republicans reduce the number of poor and create citizens. Democrats pit the haves against the have nots. Republicans unite Main Street and Wall Street.
Republicans are the party of the well lived life. The Republican Party respects innocent human life and if it errs, does so in the direction of life. On the other hand, as the rational and religious party, it makes no idol of simply being alive. It takes murder seriously enough to demand the life of the murderer. It knows that a defense of freedom, which brings the death of some brave boys in uniform, is better than a life of slavery. Ronald Reagan was a Republican and only Reagan had the nerve to call communism an unthinkable option.
Republicans believe in liberty and not mere freedom. It understands that every man should have the freedom to do whatever good he can find. On the other hand, it understands that no man has a right to do evil. Republicans are the party of law and order who do not go too far. Republicans would ban abortion, but not ban your right to do business.
Republicans accept that the state does some things well, but that there are other spheres of human authority. Strong families are necessary for a strong Republic. Democrats may every area of life dependent on government; Republicans strengthen other social groups to oppose government run amuck. We are not opposed to government, we govern, but we are opposed to government that prevents good. Democrats are libertines opposed to liberty. They would allow children to access porn in the local public library, but would regulate Dad's business to death. Republicans see no right to evil and would allow local government to regulate the library, but would leave Dad alone to produce wealth. Put simply Republicans are joiners and do-ers. Democrats are whiners and activists.
Is the Republican Party perfect? By no means, no human institution, including Christian ones can be perfect. But a primary vote is the most powerful vote I have and I plan on using it to back the one party that support rational families, a well lived life, and liberty. CRO
copyright 2004 John Mark Reynolds
Bravo!! Excellent article, and the truth. The Republican party is the party that stands up for the liberty of all Americans.
The fact that the Democrat Party of today is radically secular, that makes the Republican Party more tolerant of Christian beliefs and convictions.
"Statism" is the religion of the left.
For me it's not a question of whether a party is "perfect" or not, it's a matter of, does a party's platform clash with Biblical authority? I have to be a Christian first and foremost, above all. I can't play political games with my soul.
A perfect example of Rats alienating Christians is a poll I saw whilst trolling over at DU earlier today.
The question was: "Should the phrase 'In God We Trust' be taken off US currency?"
They voted 10 to 1 "Yes."
I imagine the result would be the reverse here, if not unanimous "No."
Hard to take the article seriously after that phrase....
While I'm strongly Republican, *any* form of government will work just fine in heaven. Of course, I suspect it'll be a benevolent dictatorship, or something similar.... :-)
http://presidentelect.org/e1896.html
What we today call "Bush Country" was solidly "Bryan country." I'm not an uncritical fan of the man, but Republicans have become an electoral juggernaut since 1968 because Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and now GWB understood the same heartland that Bryan understood. We forget it at our peril...
I agree with your post except for one small item. I think Jimmy Carter was the worst 20th century President. Much of the mess we are faced with in the Middle East is due to his ineptitude. His behavior since retirement just confirms his cluelessness.
Because that phrase on their money is so threatening? brother.. they sure do spook easily.
Good job. I echo most of your statements. I prefer rewarding achievement rather than punishing it (thus rewarding failure/mediocrity) believe the death penalty is necessary to protect citizens from monsters, do not believe in abortion in 95% of the cases (rape, crack babies etc.)keep gov't out of peoples lives as much as possible, believe in the equality of opportunities and not of outcomes, believe in strong defense (no good if we are all dead). The only thing the repubs need to do is SECURE OUR BORDERS and end the illegal immigration wildfire.
http://presidentelect.org/e1904.html
http://presidentelect.org/e1924.html
They both did it in different ways, but they did appeal to the heartland, other than the deep south, which remained reflexively Democrat until Richard Nixon's "southern strategy" changed everything, setting the stage for further victories in 1972, 1980, 1984, 1988, and 2000.
Regardless, it is worth consideration that the Dems' and the GOP have exactly switched places of geographical dominance since 1986. I personally believe that this is because the parties have, in electoral approach and in certain political stances, switched positions since then. Zell Miller could tell us a lot more about it...
Faith/Politics ping.
A bit off subject, but I heard that there was a website that, by rating answers to questions, can tell a person which candidate's view are closest to his. Can anyone tell me where it is? I need it for some friends
Sorry, can't help you there. I am not aware of such a site.
I strongly beg to differ.
I strongly beg to differ.
I agree with you, but he was probably the right man at the time, just not the greatest.
I wonder how many on this site would vote to have the currency phrase changed to "In Jesus We Trust"?
Thanks for the ping.
well it would be my first choice, but I don't mind God.
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