Totalitarianism

[FollowTheWay]

Yes, and as time progresses I believe we will see more and more negative ratings for anything and anyone who stands in the way of progressive humanism. This is why I believe this administration is a pause, a temporary reprieve (even if it proves also in the wrong direction) in our movement towards depravity. I believe the Democrat agenda will resume in the near future, with even more force and evil than under President Obama. And I think that this is God giving men over to depraved minds. I don't know if you realize it, but there are Christians who genuinely do not see an issue with the Democrat platform.

I view providing the needy with healthcare, protecting God's creation as he commanded us to do, and ending needless wars killing hundreds of thousands of people as CHRISTIAN objectives. You and the Republicans are on the other side of all of these issues.

 

[Don]

FTW - I've been on Tricare since retirement, and Blue Cross with my current employer. With Obamacare, which Tricare & Blue Cross comply with, my catastrophic cap went from $1,000 per year to $3,000. That means 3 times as many office visits before my insurance starts covering all office visits. I've been trying to schedule one minor/major procedure around each March, so as to get the cap taken care of early in the year. My cost for Tricare only went up $100; but the cost for Blue Cross went up so high (over $800/month) that I dropped the health care part for my family and only kept the dentist option. My family now has to rely on Tricare and Native American Indian health care.

Had to change doctors, by the way. My preferred doctor wasn't getting paid through Obamacare as much as he had been through previous insurance options, and basically quit.

And the whole section of the ACA that tries to pay for the ACA through taxes on medical equipment? Anything that isn't specifically identified as "animal use only" (in other words, all equipment used on humans) found their manufacturing costs raised through increased taxation. Which, in turn, raised the costs for veterinerians, because a lot of their equipment can be used for animals and humans.

That's the truth about Obamacare. Some people benefitted; others had to make choices about what level of care they could afford.

FTW, you might be happy with it; and I'm happy for the friends you mentioned. But as "middle class," I have to be honest and admit I'm also irritated that those that aren't contributing as much to the system as I am -- seem to be getting more and better care than my family and me.

That's my reality with Obamacare. Then there's yours, that you've shared here. Then there are others, on both sides. And that, ultimately, is the failure of Obamacare: it didn't fulfill its promise of benefitting everyone, and actually hurt some.

 

[Yeshua1]

He couldn't be less.

I think perhaps the tide was stayed, judgment adverted for a time. I really do believe that this is temporary. For one, President Trump does not seem to hold those "pro Christian" agendas because they are Christian. While President Obama and Hillary Clinton were openly hostile to Christ, we really cannot say that President Trump is less so as a person.

He seems to have around him open Christians, especially VP , and open to those morals/ideas!

 

[JonC]

I view providing the needy with healthcare, protecting God's creation as he commanded us to do, and ending needless wars killing hundreds of thousands of people as CHRISTIAN objectives. You and the Republicans are on the other side of all of these issues.

Read Matthew 7.

Progressive humanism does, as you state, look to provide for and protect mankind (at least as it deems worthy of protection) and creation. That does not, however, make it any less evil. Mussolini worked to provide housing, food, and health care for the needy. So what? We are not talking about humanism but about being a force of "anti-Christ" within the world.

 

[JonC]

He seems to have around him open Christians, especially VP , and open to those morals/ideas!

The problem is that many Christians hold their faith apart from their daily lives.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I view providing the needy with healthcare, protecting God's creation as he commanded us to do, and ending needless wars killing hundreds of thousands of people as CHRISTIAN objectives. You and the Republicans are on the other side of all of these issues.

Thats because there is a difference between labeling yourself as "Christian" Vs Following Jesus.......made evident by The Sermon on the Mount.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The problem is that many Christians hold their faith apart from their daily lives.

Then dont label them as Christian. Faith must comes first if we are to be serious about this. Pattern yourself after Jesus & you wont care about people on welfare robbing you of your taxes. Pattern yourself after Jesus and it wont matter who the ruler of the day is or which political party you support......actually you wont give a wit. Maybe then you will ask "Who is my Lord" and not obsess over Donald Trump, Barak Obamma, Clinton, Kennedy blah blah blah.

 

[JonC]

Faith must comes first if we are to be serious about this. Pattern yourself after Jesus & you wont care about people on welfare robbing you of your taxes. Pattern yourself after Jesus and it wont matter who the ruler of the day is or which political party you support......actually you wont give a wit. Maybe then you will ask "Who is my Lord" and not obsess over Donald Trump, Barak Obamma, Clinton, Kennedy blah blah blah.

In this context it is more a concession than a label.

Faith must comes first if we are to be serious about this. Pattern yourself after Jesus & you wont care about people on welfare robbing you of your taxes. Pattern yourself after Jesus and it wont matter who the ruler of the day is or which political party you support......actually you wont give a wit. Maybe then you will ask "Who is my Lord" and not obsess over Donald Trump, Barak Obamma, Clinton, Kennedy blah blah blah.

I agree. I don’t look to politics to shape the world (much less my faith).

I believe that God is in control, even of our leadership. I do not obsess over economic factors, welfare, ect. What determines my “politics” (where my vote ends up) is strictly a few platforms directly associated with biblical morality. I don’t mean guessing about intent or possible outcome (i.e., attributing a moral implication based on one future possibility) but implicit immorality. And that’s it. So my politics is very easy. I have about three questions and end up with only one candidate standing. If that platform is not directly immoral, then I vote for that person and let it go. Then, whoever becomes President, I respect the leadership God has placed over the nation and continue to speak out against immorality.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

In this context it is more a concession than a label. I agree. I don’t look to politics to shape the world (much less my faith).

I believe that God is in control, even of our leadership. I do not obsess over economic factors, welfare, ect. What determines my “politics” (where my vote ends up) is strictly a few platforms directly associated with biblical morality. I don’t mean guessing about intent or possible outcome (i.e., attributing a moral implication based on one future possibility) but implicit immorality. And that’s it. So my politics is very easy. I have about three questions and end up with only one candidate standing. If that platform is not directly immoral, then I vote for that person and let it go. Then, whoever becomes President, I respect the leadership God has placed over the nation and continue to speak out against immorality.

Then you would have supported Scott Walker

 

[JonC]

Then you would have supported Scott Walker

No, I wouldn't have because I care so little for politics that I never came across Scott Walker. In my younger days I knew his older brother Johnnie, but we lost contact decades ago. (We had gotten into a horrible fight, and I thought I had won. But the next day it was clear he had thrown several punches I had not noticed in the heat of battle, and it was very evident he was the victor. We have not spoken since).

 

[FollowTheWay]

Thats because there is a difference between labeling yourself as "Christian" Vs Following Jesus.......made evident by The Sermon on the Mount.

I'm reading a book entitled "The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist," which addresses this question. I believe that a genuine Christian must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and reflect that in their daily lives. The 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession which is really the bedrock of the Baptist faith states that:

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; [2119] that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; [2120] that a special Providence watches over their welfare; [2121] and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. [2122]

The 1925 Baptist Faith and Message states the same thin:

All real believers endure to the end. Their continuance in well-doing is the mark which distinguishes them from mere professors. A special Providence cares for them, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

John 10:28-29; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19; 1 Cor. 11:32; Rom. 8:30; 9:11,16; Rom. 5:9-10; Matt. 26:70-75.

The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message and later ones removed this very significant statement led by Herschel Hobbs, thje chairman of the 1963 statement ushered in the period of "easy believerism" for the SBC.

 

[FollowTheWay]

Read Matthew 7.

Progressive humanism does, as you state, look to provide for and protect mankind (at least as it deems worthy of protection) and creation. That does not, however, make it any less evil. Mussolini worked to provide housing, food, and health care for the needy. So what? We are not talking about humanism but about being a force of "anti-Christ" within the world.

Actually, this is straight out of the Bible:

[Mat 25:34-40 KJV] 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

 

[FollowTheWay]

Hey, thanks for bringing this up.

Good intention: Affordable health insurance for all.

Result: ObamaCare. People losing their plans for mandated government plans. Lousy health care plans with high deductibles. Skyrocketing monthly premiums. Insurance companies backing out of the exchanges. Businesses limiting jobs to less than 30 hours a week to avoid the mandate, creating a part time working economy. People needing to work two jobs. Small businesses keeping full time employees under 50 workers to avoid the mandate.

Liberals: Never mind the result. We had good intentions.

Your characterization of Obamacare is simply not true. Insurance companies started pulling out because the GOP has threatened to kill it for years and now have the power to do so.


Trump supporters in the heartland fear being left behind by GOP health plan

http://tinyurl.com/zx5caao

 

[FollowTheWay]

There were a few helped by it, but the majority of us were really hurt financially by it!

Proof?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I'm reading a book entitled "The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist," which addresses this question. I believe that a genuine Christian must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and reflect that in their daily lives. The 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession which is really the bedrock of the Baptist faith states that:

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; [2119] that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; [2120] that a special Providence watches over their welfare; [2121] and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. [2122]

The 1925 Baptist Faith and Message states the same thin:

All real believers endure to the end. Their continuance in well-doing is the mark which distinguishes them from mere professors. A special Providence cares for them, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

John 10:28-29; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19; 1 Cor. 11:32; Rom. 8:30; 9:11,16; Rom. 5:9-10; Matt. 26:70-75.

The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message and later ones removed this very significant statement led by Herschel Hobbs, thje chairman of the 1963 statement ushered in the period of "easy believerism" for the SBC.

OK .....however I really dont care about Baptist Faith & message (not SBC) nor do I care for any confessions. Just study the bible & follow Christ.....but I do appreciate the reference points.

 

[JonC]

Actually, this is straight out of the Bible:

[Mat 25:34-40 KJV] 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

You forget the "least of my brethern". It does not necessarily mean Christian, but it does point to "in My Name". So no, an atheist who cares for the poor is not meeting the criteria of righteousness. Neither is a Democrat (or anyone else, I'm just using the democrats because they are an evil that does try to feed the poor) who feeds the poor but advocates immorality and leads others into depravity.

 

[FollowTheWay]

You forget the "least of my brethern". It does not necessarily mean Christian, but it does point to "in My Name". So no, an atheist who cares for the poor is not meeting the criteria of righteousness. Neither is a Democrat (or anyone else, I'm just using the democrats because they are an evil that does try to feed the poor) who feeds the poor but advocates immorality and leads others into depravity.

Your master seems to be the Republican Party rather than the Lord. There are everlasting consequences to continuing in this way.

 

[FollowTheWay]

OK .....however I really dont care about Baptist Faith & message (not SBC) nor do I care for any confessions. Just study the bible & follow Christ.....but I do appreciate the reference points.

I would agree. I believe that each of us are charged with defining our own faith based on the Bible and prayer. I'm posting these to show how some large groups of Baptists have gone astray.

 

[JonC]

Your master seems to be the Republican Party rather than the Lord. There are everlasting consequences to continuing in this way.

I'm not a Republican. I'm a Christian.

I do not believe one can be a Christian and support the Democrat platform (because scripture teaches this pointedly). So "Christian Democrats" are truly one or the other (which one, I'm not sure they even know). I am not sure about the Republican party. On the surface the platform is not evil, but who knows what lies behind the scenes.

For whom do you fight, the Democrat party or Christ?

 

[FollowTheWay]

I'm not a Republican. I'm a Christian.

I do not believe one can be a Christian and support the Democrat platform (because scripture teaches this pointedly). So "Christian Democrats" are truly one or the other (which one, I'm not sure they even know). I am not sure about the Republican party. On the surface the platform is not evil, but who knows what lies behind the scenes.

For whom do you fight, the Democrat party or Christ?

Jesus. I believe what I used to consider as "liberal" objectives are actually in line with my faith and the Bible. Helping the poor, fighting against discrimination and hate, and being against unnecessary wars.