Political Life vs our Christian Life

Thought I might help ya out here budro. I noticed the threads I take part in always get the most views. So I figured I'd pop in and drive up the numbers for ya. Evidently reading threads where people insult each other is really popular among the BB brothers and sisters. How about a poll on that?

 

And I would say there is no difference than our Christian life or anything else. We need to stop trying to divide them out as if when we engage in them we can leave our Christianity behind.

 

Hmm since as a Christian my politics are to be ruled by my Christianity this poll makes no sense.

 

What he said.

 

Ditto :type:

 

Agree with Revmitchell, mactx, and Aaron.

Before I read those replies, knew there wasn't a slot in the poll for me to respond.

With this poll, the Serenity Prayer comes to mind, once again.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

and to know where to draw the line, each day in my life, with everything in my life.

American politics - how can any of us honestly mark a percentage that separates God from our responsibilities towards maintaining what our founding fathers established?

Sometimes I wonder if those who want Christian citizens to stay out of US politics are actually yearning for an earthly king, as the Hebrews did? One who will remove their responsbilities to try to turn away from corruption. .. ie. he's the king (lower case) therefore there's nothing that I need to do about ____ because I can't.

 

Interesting thread Salty. Have a look at this . . .

http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=86069

How many of these people create more posts in the religious forums rather than in politics on this board?

Why do I do I spend all my time in the politics forum rather than in the other "religious" forums? I'll give you a straight answer on this one Salty.

Here's why . . .

http://www.baptistboard.com/showpost.php?p=1979838&postcount=10 Is this an example of being led by the spirit of the Lord?

The people who spend more time in the politics forum are more upfront and honest about who they really are.

 

Hmmm not really.
The premise is flawed.
It assumes a person posting here ONLY posts here.
For myself I spend less than an hour on this site, spread out through my day.
I use the new posts menu and read posts from it.
So even IF the only topics i post in are political, that is a minor part of my time.
Especially since even though I do read in the baptist only rooms, I try not to post in them. (Sometimes I forget what room i am in after reading a long post and reply with out checking)
The rest of my online time is spent on other forums, or doing research, posting Bible studies and so forth.

My online time percentage wise is much more wrapped up in Bible study, including using the Bible to give reason behind my political points of view, than it is in politics.

 

Faith and "real life" must be integrated or else we are just playing games. There is no way for me to divide them up that makes any sense.

In U.S. politics, we suffer from a political dialogue that is based on contempt: Democrats hold Republicans in contempt because Republicans are allegedly greedy, heartless, and don't care about people. Republicans hold Democrats in contempt because Democrats allegedly want people to get something for nothing and let others pay the bills, want to control all the details of everyone's lives through an intrusive government, and don't have any common sense about the way the world really works.

While we can easily make a list of people who fit the stereotypes I listed above for the Republicans and Democrats, most people in both parties agree that our society should help take care of the truly needy and helpless, that we should create environments where people can help themselves gain economic success, that the rights of all individuals should be zealously protected, and that human life is valuable.

The points of dissension come when we start trying to flesh out issues of ways to help the needy and helpless, the question of what constitutes human life, and what rightful role the government should take in society.

Coming to a productive agreement on the details of how to properly govern the U.S. takes time, mutual respect, and simple courtesy to be scrupulously honest about your position and the positions of those with whom you disagree, and then the patience to work toward appropriate solutions that everyone can live with.

However, all too often, people who verbally identify with Jesus are part of the problem, stirring up the pots of anger and contempt instead of dealing carefully,factually and redemptively with those whose ideas they oppose.

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:17). Jesus has not called us to condemn the world, but to be salt and light. We are to be prophets, but prophets speak accurately and redemptively.

 

I'm not sure how to answer the poll, so I'll respond with a personal illustration to convey my point.

Several years ago, a man came to our church. He wasn't there to worship with us, to join the church or fellowship. He had just moved to town and started a small auto repair business, and he came to church to get contacts and get the word out about his business. He only lasted one Sunday.

Another man came to push his conspiracy theories and form a community of survivalist to fight the government and survive the Great Tribulation. He never joined the church, never witnessed, never visited the sick or anything else we should do as Christians. Nope. He tried to turn every church service into a platform to push his political agenda. He was finally told, very bluntly, that the purpose of the church was to win souls, not fight the government. He FINALLY moved on, much to our relief.

I say that to say, our heart lies with our treasure, and our treasure includes what we are passionate about.

 

Personally I think our Christian principles should guide us in all our endevors. Sadly enough as those here using this "poll" to pass judgement on others here who don't act like they want have trown there Christian principles to the wind to go along with and make excuses for politicians who act outside of the law. They have accepted the torture of other human beings. They have accepted the idea that the right to due process is theirs and theirs alone. Anyone who is not of their "tribe" deserves to be treated like animals.

Where's the love? Not here. At one time Christians were apalled at the thought of torture. Not anymore. Now it just depends on who's doing the torturing. If "we" do it that's fine "we're" the good guys. If others do it they are the scum of the earth. If other countries lock people up without due process they are evil dictators that should be overthrown. But if we do the same thing it's okay. We're the good guys.


We look down at others that aren't like us with utter contempt and think we're the only ones that deserve to be treated like humans.

Instead of holding fast to what is good and what is right as taught in the bi le we choose sides and look at anyone who isn't on our team as rubbish. Worldly? No not us.

The double standards we hold to today are an insult to Christ and His teachings. And now those who are some of the worst offenders think they can stand in judgement of those who dare to reject their double standards and hypocrissy?

Really now.

 

So when creating a poll to question/condemn another Christian that doesn't sound or act the way you'd like them to would be in the 20% range then right?