Amen, brother! I don't allow it on in my home! Too much stuff to try and explain to the kids that isn't even Scriptural. Hey, DaDa.... didn't know the "believing" crowd mattered to you. Look... I don't personally have a problem with either candidate as individuals, as I've stated. It's just that certain issues lead me away from one of them... That's all. And some "Christians" don't vocalize what they stand for... so the crowd outside of them doesn't know how the majority of them see things... and we really don't know how the majority sees things in entire nation being that 2% of our society is media yet they speak as though they represent us all. When people bring up our differences, it's a good thing. Individuality is not evil. But identifying yourselves with a larger group is no more evil. As stated many times, by most "believers" I know, on here and elsewhere... whoever wins (leave your opinions on who out of this point), I will... most believers will, pray for that person. It's two weeks from which guy will get the prayers under the subheading "president." That's about the only major difference post-election. Who will get those specific prayers prayed on their behalf.
Great thread, great posts by MadMax (as usual) and JeopardE. I used to think I was alone in my church as a liberal but I may have made a false assumption. Paying Taxes & Separation of Church & State: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. [Matthew 22:21] Community: Love your neighbor as yourself.[Matthew 22:39] So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you. [Matthew 7:12.] If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.[Matthew 19:21] Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. [Luke 14:13 &14.] Public Prayer & Displays of Faith: And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret…
We handle this at our little church by having a funny "question of the week." So instead of just shaking hands with people saying hi...it's usually something goofy..a conversation starter...nice icebreaker that makes people visiting feel more comfortable. Thanks for the kind words....I haven't given up on the mainline church, but I can't be a part of them either in any real way. Our church tries to get them to partner with us on specific ministries...and hopes to be a sharpening tool for those churches that act more like country clubs. Take people out of comfort zone. There is a very fine line between discernment and judgment, and I have to watch it very closely. Thanks to rhester for the reminder.
You aren't condescending (if anyone does that here it is me) and my post had nothing to do with you, what I see in the article is more of the christians going this way and christians going that way, we are focusing on political lines and not Jesus. I don't like what the religious right represents because it seems purely political to me, not a Jesus life -see I just generalized it- but I can't politicize Jesus (or I don't want to); I am sure Jesus had an opinion about the Roman politics, but he addressed the religious politics more openly. I think I understand why good, loving, and genuine Christians would align themselves with the religious right political movement. I don't think it is wise. That word evangelical today means- anti anti-abortion, anti-homosexual, anti-liberal, anti-evolution That's too bad, labels generalize alot of groups. I know pastors who are voting dem and pastors who are voting repub- I don't consider that in my relationships- I am concerned who is voting for Jesus every day in their lives. I am having a hard time discerning how this election relates to Jesus. So I have read the websites for each candidate. Issues being considered. And Goode Co. is open.
On the subject... I evangelize for Jesus, I am the nut who talks to people in the stores, at the mall, at the lumber yard, give me an opportunity and I love to talk about Jesus- with anyone. But I prefer face to face and I don't like forcing it or using the beat down method. I still cannot support either candidate. I am quite sure one of them will do fine and I also will be praying for them. I wish I could meet the next president.
In my party? I don't really have a party anymore. For most Presidential elections I've voted for the socialist nominee. This time I've voting for the Democratic nominee. In local elections I vote across all kinds of party lines including Green, Republican, Democrat, Independents etc.
