Should Christians take political sides?

[Wesley Briggman]

The problem is, the politicised Christians have driven a wedge between themselves and the people they should be trying to reach. Try speaking out against politicised Christianity. It will warm the hearts of those we need to reach.

Please identify these so-called "politicized Christians" if you can. Also, who are the "we" as in those "we" need to reach? How do you know "It will warm the hearts of those we need to reach" - all of them or just some of them?

 

[1689Dave]

What about the parable about the wheat and the tares, though? Jesus said the tares would grow among the wheat until the harvest. He said if you rip up the tares before the harvest, you will harm the wheat.

I don't completely disagree with you. I feel cautious about your advice, though.

I am not allowed to talk here about one of the main reasons why. It involves being a mother in a world where children are being subjected to education in the subject I'm not allowed to speak about.

Those on the Christian Right seem to be the only ones who are opposing this agenda, but they are now being classified as hate groups by the SPLC.

Don't you realize this is the number one issue in our contemporary society that is making the other side angry at Christians? Don't you know I can't speak out against it?

But, the politicized Christians are also driving people away from church. I understand not being able to speak out.

 

[1689Dave]

Please identify these so-called "politicized Christians" if you can. Also, who are the "we" as in those "we" need to reach? How do you know "It will warm the hearts of those we need to reach" - all of them or just some of them?

How can we preach Jesus from one side of our mouth and politics from the other without giving a mixed message and misrepresenting Christ?

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Please identify these so-called "politicized Christians" if you can. Also, who are the "we" as in those "we" need to reach? How do you know "It will warm the hearts of those we need to reach" - all of them or just some of them?

Anyone with any convictions at all ?

 

[I Love An Atheist]

How can we preach Jesus from one side of our mouth and politics from the other without giving a mixed message and misrepresenting Christ?

A few questions, because I still struggle to understand what you mean.

Question 1) Do you think there is a risk of making people suspicious about us if we do not honestly disclose our political opinions? Could people find us weasel-wordy or mealy mouthed, possibly? Or is there a way to avoid that risk?

Question 2) Does your recommended apolitical public stance mean you think there is never a time for Christians to publicly discuss politics, or are you just recommending politics be bracketed temporarily at certain times for certain purposes? (When witnessing.)

Question 3) What do you mean by witnessing? Is this something constant, or is it limited only to some situations and times and places.

Question 4) Which politics are you most concerned about us not speaking out the other side of our mouth about? Let's try getting at a few sub-topics. Or are you advocating that all of the below should be off limits for discussion in public for Christians?

a) Israel and Palestine

b) Controversial boy/girl stuff that we won't discuss any further

c) Economic justice

d) Abortion

e) Capital punishment

f) 2nd amendment

g) advocacy for candidates and parties

 

[Wesley Briggman]

How can we preach Jesus from one side of our mouth and politics from the other without giving a mixed message and misrepresenting Christ?

Would you consider the Pope/RCC among the so-called Christians speaking Christianity out of one side of their mouth and politics out of the other?

 

[1689Dave]

Question 1) Do you think there is a risk of making people suspicious about us if we do not honestly disclose our political opinions? Could people find us weasel-wordy or mealy mouthed, possibly? Or is there a way to avoid that risk?

I always vote for the least amount of innocent bloodshed. Sometimes if US foreign Policy kills more than abortion, I will go with whatever party produces the least bloodshed over all. So I can honestly speak with all political parties.

Question 2) Does your recommended apolitical public stance mean you think there is never a time for Christians to publicly discuss politics, or are you just recommending politics be bracketed temporarily at certain times for certain purposes? (When witnessing.)

Again we can discuss the least amount of innocent bloodshed and avoid political alliances.

Question 3) What do you mean by witnessing? Is this something constant, or is it limited only to some situations and times and places.

People watch us and learn about Christ that way. We also develop conversations with those of diverse political views. But if we vote the least amount of innocent bloodshed, we gain respect from all. Because we are not singling anyone out, But bringing to light the evils of all political parties.

Question 4) Which politics are you most concerned about us not speaking out the other side of our mouth about? Let's try getting at a few sub-topics. Or are you advocating that all of the below should be off limits for discussion in public for Christians?

I Think leaving politics out of it, and speaking justice for all makes the most sense.

a) Israel and Palestine

I don't believe Israel is Biblical Israel. And it is just another nation warring with other nations. Neutrality is best if we want to reach all warring factions.

b) Controversial boy/girl stuff that we won't discuss any further

Best to give biblical solutions and let the rest lay.

c) Economic justice

We can speak out for economic justice without taking political sides.

d) Abortion

Abortion is the taking of innocent human life. But we do not need politics, to correct it. If people find Christ, they won't want to abort.

e) Capital punishment

I believe Jesus abolished Capital Punishment when he did not condemn the woman taken in adultery. But we should protect others in non violent ways from the harm killers might inflict.

f) 2nd amendment

Hunting food is one thing, but guns designed specifically for mass casualties are evil and should find no justification in a Christian's mind.

g) advocacy for candidates and parties

I think we misrepresent Christ by showing respect of persons.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I always vote for the least amount of innocent bloodshed. Sometimes if US foreign Policy kills more than abortion.....



Again we can discuss the least amount of innocent bloodshed and avoid political alliances.



People watch us and learn about Christ that way. We also develop conversations with those of diverse political views. But if we vote the least amount of innocent bloodshed, we gain respect from all. Because we are not singling anyone out, But bringing to light the evils of all political parties.



I Think leaving politics out of it, and speaking justice for all makes the most sense.

I cut a lot out, yes.

When has American foreign policy come close to killing enough people to be comparable with US abortion numbers ?

 

[I Love An Atheist]

I always vote for the least amount of innocent bloodshed. Sometimes if US foreign Policy kills more than abortion, I will go with whatever party produces the least bloodshed over all. So I can honestly speak with all political parties.



Again we can discuss the least amount of innocent bloodshed and avoid political alliances.



People watch us and learn about Christ that way. We also develop conversations with those of diverse political views. But if we vote the least amount of innocent bloodshed, we gain respect from all. Because we are not singling anyone out, But bringing to light the evils of all political parties.



I Think leaving politics out of it, and speaking justice for all makes the most sense.



I don't believe Israel is Biblical Israel. And it is just another nation warring with other nations. Neutrality is best if we want to reach all warring factions.



Best to give biblical solutions and let the rest lay.



We can speak out for economic justice without taking political sides.



Abortion is the taking of innocent human life. But we do not need politics, to correct it. If people find Christ, they won't want to abort.



I believe Jesus abolished Capital Punishment when he did not condemn the woman taken in adultery. But we should protect others in non violent ways from the harm killers might inflict.



Hunting food is one thing, but guns designed specifically for mass casualties are evil and should find no justification in a Christian's mind.



I think we misrepresent Christ by showing respect of persons.

Okay, thanks for your answers. I understand your positions a little bit better now. I can't fully agree with you according to my own understanding and conscience. But I think you are sincere about what you believe.

You are stating your interpretations and opinions, and I think they partially overlap with my own understanding of scripture.

If I understand you correctly, then, you are advocating for pacifism and quietism? I don't want to misrepresent your views.

I think I will agree to disagree with you.

You have a right to your opinions, and thank you for sharing your perspective.

I can't be persuaded without much, much more detailed and protracted discussions. I am willing to discuss issues with you, but maybe you could break up this topic into subdivided issues and ask for comments on those.

 

[Salty]

How can we preach Jesus from one side of our mouth and politics from the other without giving a mixed message and misrepresenting Christ?

Can you name some Christians that are talking out both sides of their mouths?

 

[1689Dave]

Can you name some Christians that are talking out both sides of their mouths?

Anyone who tries to associate Jesus with politics.

 

[Salty]

Anyone who tries to associate Jesus with politics.

Just because you do that - does not make a person a Christian.

Now, can you actually name some politicians who are talking out of both sides of their mouths?

 

[1689Dave]

If I understand you correctly, then, you are advocating for pacifism and quietism?

No, pacifism is mainly a Physical Kingdom attempt to make heaven on earth. I just say Jesus practiced non violence and expects us to do the same. BTW, thanks for you comments.

 

[Salty]

Okay - if you refuse/dont want to answer - that's fine -
(file under WYRSYHS)

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

But, the politicized Christians are also driving people away from church. I understand not being able to speak out.

It is this affinity for being ‘Evangelical’ while holding tight to a emotionally charged political position that distressed many. And because of that, there are many that are eliminating the word evangelical from their titles. I won’t, I’m proud to reach out to people and discuss Jesus and the kingdom... without all the political undertones.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Just because you do that - does not make a person a Christian.

Now, can you actually name some politicians who are talking out of both sides of their mouths?

Yea... all of them!

 

[Yeshua1]

The Democratic party at time of Reagon actually ha

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?

d some Conservative members, as many times they helped pushed the Agenda for the president, mainly among the Southern Dems, but since than, pretty much the most conservative ones still pro choice and pro gay, and so not following a worthy platform.
The big problem is that the center core Dems are really hard leftists, and the center Rebublicans are basically anti social christian.

 

[Yeshua1]

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

You can vote and uphold christian morals even in politics though!

 

[1689Dave]

You can vote and uphold christian morals even in politics though!

I do. But I do not drive people away whom I should be trying to reach, by associating Jesus with political views.

 

[1689Dave]

It is this affinity for being ‘Evangelical’ while holding tight to a emotionally charged political position that distressed many. And because of that, there are many that are eliminating the word evangelical from their titles. I won’t, I’m proud to reach out to people and discuss Jesus and the kingdom... without all the political undertones.

That's great, but are you alienating those of opposing political views?