Should Christians take political sides?

[Wesley Briggman]

We are identified by being in Christ, not any political party or Candidate!

I wholeheartedly agree. When the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sinfulness I did not look around to find someone to compare myself to, I was burdened with the truth of His conviction. I do not look to any human being for a consistent example of Christian living.

 

[Yeshua1]

If you preach politics, you've alienated a tremendous number of people whom you should preach Christ to.

True, but remember that making a stand for biblical morality will always bring heat from those not wanting to abide by God's standards!

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I find, that the hard part is in advocating for biblical morality. That is where people in America draw the line and resort to slander, hatred, and accusations immediately. I have no more non-Christian friends, because I refuse to "befriend" people that will resort to treating me with hate the second I bring up a stance for biblical morality.

I do understand the point, though, of not wearing a divisive political identity on your sleeve as a Christian. No need to get people even more hateful at you unless there is something to be gained.

That addressed, as for the conversation, I agree with the Republicans currently, but would love it if the Democrats got a clue to try and court Christians again. However, I only agree with the Republicans insomuch that they espouse positions in line with biblical morality.

I find this to be iffy nowadays when I listen to conservative pundits, maybe because of the Trump Phenomenon, but also because of ideological Conservatism, which seems fairly secular in its view of the world.

That said, as long as I can hear support for religious liberty and hear arguments against murdering children (abortion) from Republicans, they will have my vote unless the Democrats can compete with those positions at all.

 

[Reynolds]

Does taking political sides as a Christian alienate those of opposing political views from Christ? Do we misrepresent Christ by claiming to be Liberal, or Conservative? Do we alienate nations from Christ and increase persecution of fellow believers when we support one foreign nation, Israel etc., above another?

I stand politically to protect my rights. If it alienates leftists, so be it.

 

[Jerome]

9Mark Dever has a 'Dear Abby' sort of feature on his website that gave this counsel to an inquiry about this:

Mailbag #56: Voting for a Pro-Choice Candidate

"it’s possible that someone voting for a pro-choice candidate is sinning by casting that vote. But in light of the political and sociological complexity of voting, I’m not positive, as I stand before the judgment seat of God, that that’s the case. I have pro-life Christian friends, who, according to their set of political calculations, have decided to vote for a pro-choice candidate....I might or might not think such calculations are wise, but I cannot positively say such a vote, in any given situation, is a sin. Therefore, yes, I would refrain from telling a church member they should never vote from voting for a pro-choice candidate."

 

[Reynolds]

9Mark Dever has a 'Dear Abby' sort of feature on his website that gave this counsel to an inquiry about this:

Mailbag #56: Voting for a Pro-Choice Candidate

"it’s possible that someone voting for a pro-choice candidate is sinning by casting that vote. But in light of the political and sociological complexity of voting, I’m not positive, as I stand before the judgment seat of God, that that’s the case. I have pro-life Christian friends, who, according to their set of political calculations, have decided to vote for a pro-choice candidate....I might or might not think such calculations are wise, but I cannot positively say such a vote, in any given situation, is a sin. Therefore, yes, I would refrain from telling a church member they should never vote from voting for a pro-choice candidate."

Supporting murder of the innocent is always sin.

 

[HankD]

9Mark Dever has a 'Dear Abby' sort of feature on his website that gave this counsel to an inquiry about this:

Mailbag #56: Voting for a Pro-Choice Candidate

"it’s possible that someone voting for a pro-choice candidate is sinning by casting that vote. But in light of the political and sociological complexity of voting, I’m not positive, as I stand before the judgment seat of God, that that’s the case. I have pro-life Christian friends, who, according to their set of political calculations, have decided to vote for a pro-choice candidate....I might or might not think such calculations are wise, but I cannot positively say such a vote, in any given situation, is a sin. Therefore, yes, I would refrain from telling a church member they should never vote from voting for a pro-choice candidate."

I could NEVER NEVER NEVER vote for a pro-choice candidate.

 

[Jerome]

What if there were no pro-life candidate running?

 

[Salty]

What if there were no pro-life candidate running?

proceeded with a write-in Vote - even if it is you.
and if you realize there is no pro-life candidate - converse with you friends to agree on a single write-in candidate.

 

[carpro]

I was thinking about this while I was out. And it comes down to this. I can witness to liberals, conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, all of whom visit occasionally. But as soon as I put a Trump sticker on my car, I've become the object of hatred by those opposed to any who support him. And I've misrepresented Jesus. And the same is true had I put a Hillary sticker on my car. Never have I seen conservatives and liberals hate each other as I see today.

It is best to remain politically neutral for the sake of doing what Jesus called us to do. Try to reach everyone.

Now you've made it about personalities and parties, while I was speaking purely of political philosophies.

Why would you put the bumper sticker of any candidate on your car?

Here's the bottom line...liberalism as it is practiced in America today espouses pure evil. Why would you not speak out against evil?

Done here.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Squire Robertsson]

I started this thread Why Christians Vote Republican Despite It All earlier today.

 

[carpro]

I started this thread Why Christians Vote Republican Despite It All earlier today.

A lot of truth there.


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[HankD]

What if there were no pro-life candidate running?

Then I stay home.

 

[I Love An Atheist]

Does taking political sides as a Christian alienate those of opposing political views from Christ?

We are called to speak the truth with love.

Do we misrepresent Christ by claiming to be Liberal, or Conservative?

Not if this the choice of our conscience informed by scripture.

Do we alienate nations from Christ and increase persecution of fellow believers when we support one foreign nation, Israel etc., above another?

Israel can't withdraw from lands without those territories soon afterwards being used to bomb the people of Israel.

 

[I Love An Atheist]

I speak out against the sins of both conservatives and liberals. Both are products of carnal mindedness.

I agree with you about this in principle. I was certainly horrified by Abu Ghraib and disgusted by being led into war by lies during the administration of George W. Bush. I also would have to disagree with the business wing of the Republican party about greed and selfishness being good.

Right now, though, in spite of my moderate independent mindset, I still can't talk to progressives. They have changed since I was participating in a pro-Kerry forum years ago. I have tried to reach out and talk to them about Christianity. I get attacked for it, just for speaking up for Christianity. Not for even for speaking up for a values voter position. Just for boldly declaring myself Christian without stating any opinion. I get attacked just for that alone.

I'm talking about online. So far it doesn't happen offline. Online, people have come out of the woodwork to say vile things to me. Examples include making fun of God by claiming he raped Mary, spelling Christian KKKristian, trying to pin the entire history of the Inquisition and Crusades on me, calling Christians the real terrorists, and on and on. It is rabid, and I decided to back away slowly, although I held my own without being egged into a melt-down. Those are some hardened hearts. Those people are hostile, hostile, hostile just for being proud and unashamed of being Christian.

Christ said if you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.

What happens to you? How do you do it? Can you do it without being ashamed of Christ? What do you say? Have you encountered these things online in progressive political forums?

 

[church mouse guy]

In the 1950s Christians said that politics was a dirty business and that a Christian should stay out of it. Since then, the thinking has been, in my opinion, that a Christian should be involved in politics but it is still a very dirty business. I think that politics has always been vile in the USA since I visited the spot in Plainfield, Indiana, where the political opponents of Martin Van Buren wrecked a stagecoach in 1842 in order to dump him in a muddy road even though he was out of office.

 

[1689Dave]

I agree with you about this in principle. I was certainly horrified by Abu Ghraib and disgusted by being led into war by lies during the administration of George W. Bush. I also would have to disagree with the business wing of the Republican party about greed and selfishness being good.

Right now, though, in spite of my moderate independent mindset, I still can't talk to progressives. They have changed since I was participating in a pro-Kerry forum years ago. I have tried to reach out and talk to them about Christianity. I get attacked for it, just for speaking up for Christianity. Not for even for speaking up for a values voter position. Just for boldly declaring myself Christian without stating any opinion. I get attacked just for that alone.

I'm talking about online. So far it doesn't happen offline. Online, people have come out of the woodwork to say vile things to me. Examples include making fun of God by claiming he raped Mary, spelling Christian KKKristian, trying to pin the entire history of the Inquisition and Crusades on me, calling Christians the real terrorists, and on and on. It is rabid, and I decided to back away slowly, although I held my own without being egged into a melt-down. Those are some hardened hearts. Those people are hostile, hostile, hostile just for being proud and unashamed of being Christian.

Christ said if you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.

What happens to you? How do you do it? Can you do it without being ashamed of Christ? What do you say? Have you encountered these things online in progressive political forums?

I think the religious right contributes to the Progressives writing off Christianity in general. But if you show them a different Jesus, I would say, a more biblical Jesus, you might get somewhere. I have an acquaintance who runs in Progressive circles. But he knows I'm consistently pro-life, that is, anti abortion, anti war, anti capital punishment, and in this alone he sees a huge difference between me and those he's accustomed to attacking. He goes out of his way to visit. And goes out of the way to avoid politically affiliated Christians.

 

[1689Dave]

We are called to speak the truth with love.



Not if this the choice of our conscience informed by scripture.



Israel can't withdraw from lands without those territories soon afterwards being used to bomb the people of Israel.

I think we can hold Christian views without tying them to politics. How do we witness to Palestinians if we support Israel stealing their land? Again, neutrality should be the norm for believers.

 

[1689Dave]

Now you've made it about personalities and parties, while I was speaking purely of political philosophies.

Why would you put the bumper sticker of any candidate on your car?

Here's the bottom line...liberalism as it is practiced in America today espouses pure evil. Why would you not speak out against evil?

Done here.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Both conservatism and liberalism is carnal mindedness. We should try to reach both groups while remaining politically neutral.

 

[1689Dave]

I stand politically to protect my rights. If it alienates leftists, so be it.

As a Christian you have no rights. You represent Jesus and follow his example.