Biblical defense of being a Republican
This quote is out of context, but it’s fun anyway:
Ecclesiastes 10:2
A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.
Of course if you take verses out of context you can prove anything. Here’s one that proves the existence of Santa Clause (KJV only):
Zechariah 2:6
“Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD”
Progressives are feeling down
Lakshmi Chaudhry, senior editor of AlterNet has written an article that reveals the depths of hatred for those of us that voted for George Bush. The Unbearable Darkness of Being is a good indication of where the article heads. One quote to whet your appetite:
John Edwards was right in a way. There are two Americas: one that values tolerance, justice, and equality; the other that believes in Divine Will. But now that the Democrats lost the election – and control over every branch of government – I get to live in their America. And Carville wants me to talk to these guys? Or is he really saying that I need to be more like them? After all, it’s not like I have any values that might be worth holding on to. Why not just put my silly liberal preoccupations with choice or sexual freedom aside so we can all come together as one nation – one nation under God, Guns, and (hating) Gays.
"Do you see any good in Democrats?"
In response to my post on why evangelicals voted for Bush, Buster Stronghart said…
Is there a single thing about Democrats that might be seen as good by Christians? Is the good samaritan dead? Should we allow the poor to remain hungry, uneducated, and without healthcare? Is that okay?
Just asking you to think a little before you answer.
I’ve thought about it and have an answer to his questions:
Yes, there are many good things about Democrats that are seen as good by Christians. I know Democrats who have nice cars, nice hair, and nice Republican wives or husbands. I even know Democrats who are Christians, although they obviously don’t take their Christianity seriously if they have voted Democrat in recent times.
But the question here should be: Does God see a single good thing about Democrats (or Republicans, or Independents)? The answer is NO!
Romans 3: 10-12 says:
None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.
In those verses, the apostle Paul was talking about the similarities and complete sinfulness of both Jews and non-Jews. But it applies to Democrats and Republicans as well, “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23). Therefore, if Christians wish to think like God thinks, we should not see a single thing good about Democrats (or anyone else who has not been washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ).
• In fact, the Good Samaritan is not living now or dead, he was just a parable, not a true story. However, one of the many reasons that I vote Republican is because I believe in the principles taught in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I believe that we should help struggling people to get back on their feet and to be able to fend for themselves once they have done so. I don’t believe in forcing these people to remain in their squalor while we give them such things as TVs, cigarettes, alcohol, junk food, and absentee ballots already filled out for the Democrat ticket. I believe that we should secure the liberty of those who would be abused as was the man who was robbed in the parable. Thus the reason for my support of the war in Iraq.
• No, we shouldn’t allow the poor to remain hungry (1 John 3:17). That is why I support Republican efforts to help people in poverty to learn a trade so they can make a living, support their families, and contribute to society. This, too, is a biblical principle—that we when we are blessed by God we should turn around and give to others who have less than we.
• We should not deny education to the poor and no one that I know of is advocating a prohibition on education (making it a rather odd statement from someone who advises “think before you answer.” The Republicans are trying to improve education for the poor by giving them educational choice through school vouchers, another positive effort that the Democrats are violently opposed to. The Bible says Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). We need to give parents the opportunity to train a child in the appropriate way—not in the way the public school system thinks is best for the majority of the children.
• I’m not particularly happy about the fact that some people are without healthcare and I well understand that situation since my family was one of those families without healthcare for almost a decade because we couldn’t afford it. We were able to get out of that regretable situation through the good samaritan-like efforts of Christians who helped us through that time of poverty while I worked to learn a craft that I could use to support my family. This is the way that Christians believe we should take care of the poor who cannot afford healthcare. The Christian community is commanded to care for the poor in our communities and many local churches are doing that very thing. We are also commanded to give alms in secret, which precludes going on CBS News and telling Dan Rather what wonderful people we Christians are for taking care of the poor.
The question is not whether or not I like Democrats, but are you a follower of Jesus Christ? The answer to this will mean everything after these other issues are no longer important.
Biblical defense of being a Republican
This quote is out of context, but it’s fun anyway:
Ecclesiastes 10:2
A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.
Of course if you take verses out of context you can prove anything. Here’s one that proves the existence of Santa Clause (KJV only):
Zechariah 2:6
“Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD”
Progressives are feeling down
Lakshmi Chaudhry, senior editor of AlterNet has written an article that reveals the depths of hatred for those of us that voted for George Bush. The Unbearable Darkness of Being is a good indication of where the article heads. One quote to whet your appetite:
John Edwards was right in a way. There are two Americas: one that values tolerance, justice, and equality; the other that believes in Divine Will. But now that the Democrats lost the election – and control over every branch of government – I get to live in their America. And Carville wants me to talk to these guys? Or is he really saying that I need to be more like them? After all, it’s not like I have any values that might be worth holding on to. Why not just put my silly liberal preoccupations with choice or sexual freedom aside so we can all come together as one nation – one nation under God, Guns, and (hating) Gays.
"Do you see any good in Democrats?"
In response to my post on why evangelicals voted for Bush, Buster Stronghart said…
Is there a single thing about Democrats that might be seen as good by Christians? Is the good samaritan dead? Should we allow the poor to remain hungry, uneducated, and without healthcare? Is that okay?
Just asking you to think a little before you answer.
I’ve thought about it and have an answer to his questions:
Yes, there are many good things about Democrats that are seen as good by Christians. I know Democrats who have nice cars, nice hair, and nice Republican wives or husbands. I even know Democrats who are Christians, although they obviously don’t take their Christianity seriously if they have voted Democrat in recent times.
But the question here should be: Does God see a single good thing about Democrats (or Republicans, or Independents)? The answer is NO!
Romans 3: 10-12 says:
None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.
In those verses, the apostle Paul was talking about the similarities and complete sinfulness of both Jews and non-Jews. But it applies to Democrats and Republicans as well, “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23). Therefore, if Christians wish to think like God thinks, we should not see a single thing good about Democrats (or anyone else who has not been washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ).
• In fact, the Good Samaritan is not living now or dead, he was just a parable, not a true story. However, one of the many reasons that I vote Republican is because I believe in the principles taught in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I believe that we should help struggling people to get back on their feet and to be able to fend for themselves once they have done so. I don’t believe in forcing these people to remain in their squalor while we give them such things as TVs, cigarettes, alcohol, junk food, and absentee ballots already filled out for the Democrat ticket. I believe that we should secure the liberty of those who would be abused as was the man who was robbed in the parable. Thus the reason for my support of the war in Iraq.
• No, we shouldn’t allow the poor to remain hungry (1 John 3:17). That is why I support Republican efforts to help people in poverty to learn a trade so they can make a living, support their families, and contribute to society. This, too, is a biblical principle—that we when we are blessed by God we should turn around and give to others who have less than we.
• We should not deny education to the poor and no one that I know of is advocating a prohibition on education (making it a rather odd statement from someone who advises “think before you answer.” The Republicans are trying to improve education for the poor by giving them educational choice through school vouchers, another positive effort that the Democrats are violently opposed to. The Bible says Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). We need to give parents the opportunity to train a child in the appropriate way—not in the way the public school system thinks is best for the majority of the children.
• I’m not particularly happy about the fact that some people are without healthcare and I well understand that situation since my family was one of those families without healthcare for almost a decade because we couldn’t afford it. We were able to get out of that regretable situation through the good samaritan-like efforts of Christians who helped us through that time of poverty while I worked to learn a craft that I could use to support my family. This is the way that Christians believe we should take care of the poor who cannot afford healthcare. The Christian community is commanded to care for the poor in our communities and many local churches are doing that very thing. We are also commanded to give alms in secret, which precludes going on CBS News and telling Dan Rather what wonderful people we Christians are for taking care of the poor.
The question is not whether or not I like Democrats, but are you a follower of Jesus Christ? The answer to this will mean everything after these other issues are no longer important.
Mistakes, deceptions, and lies
Harvard professor Sissela Bok writes in the book Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life.
If I state something that is false but I sincerely believe it to be true, I haven’t lied; I’m merely mistaken. But if I state a number of things that happen to be true but deliberately leave out a single exonerating fact or present information out of context, all with the intent to deceive, I have lied.
Thinking back on the 2004 presidential election campaign I am struck with the truth as presented by Professor Bok.
George Bush was accused of lying to the American people when he said that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. But this wasn’t a lie. George Bush believed this to be true as did essentially every other leader in the free world.
Michael Moore, in Farenheit 9-11, presented interviews and footage of President Bush speaking to auditoriums filled with people, among other things. Each of these items was factual on its own. But through judicious use of tape splicing, intentional non-inclusion of certain interview responses, and presentation of material so out-of-context as to strain the bounds of reason, Moore proclaimed a lie.
For an equally outlandish documentary (but much more enjoyable), see Fellowship 9/11, in which Michael Moore questions Aragorn’s integrity after the Helms Deep debacle. Very funny if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan.
Mistakes, deceptions, and lies
Harvard professor Sissela Bok writes in the book Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life.
If I state something that is false but I sincerely believe it to be true, I haven’t lied; I’m merely mistaken. But if I state a number of things that happen to be true but deliberately leave out a single exonerating fact or present information out of context, all with the intent to deceive, I have lied.
Thinking back on the 2004 presidential election campaign I am struck with the truth as presented by Professor Bok.
George Bush was accused of lying to the American people when he said that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. But this wasn’t a lie. George Bush believed this to be true as did essentially every other leader in the free world.
Michael Moore, in Farenheit 9-11, presented interviews and footage of President Bush speaking to auditoriums filled with people, among other things. Each of these items was factual on its own. But through judicious use of tape splicing, intentional non-inclusion of certain interview responses, and presentation of material so out-of-context as to strain the bounds of reason, Moore proclaimed a lie.
For an equally outlandish documentary (but much more enjoyable), see Fellowship 9/11, in which Michael Moore questions Aragorn’s integrity after the Helms Deep debacle. Very funny if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan.
The Democrats’ best friend – Arlen Specter
Senator Arlen Spector (R – Pennsylvania) has indicated that were he the head of the judiciary committee he would apply a judicial litmus test before bringing the president’s judicial nominees forward for approval. He claims that he doesn’t want anyone to tamper with Roe v. Wade, the case that made abortion-on-demand legal in the United States.
Many conservative activists and talk show hosts are screaming about how wrong this is and many others don’t understand what all the fuss is about. I’ll leave the discussions of consitutional law to the constitutional scholars and historians. But I want to know what the Bible says about this.
Proverbs 24:23
Partiality in judging is not good.
That seems pretty clear to me.
The Democrats’ best friend – Arlen Specter
Senator Arlen Spector (R – Pennsylvania) has indicated that were he the head of the judiciary committee he would apply a judicial litmus test before bringing the president’s judicial nominees forward for approval. He claims that he doesn’t want anyone to tamper with Roe v. Wade, the case that made abortion-on-demand legal in the United States.
Many conservative activists and talk show hosts are screaming about how wrong this is and many others don’t understand what all the fuss is about. I’ll leave the discussions of consitutional law to the constitutional scholars and historians. But I want to know what the Bible says about this.
Proverbs 24:23
Partiality in judging is not good.
That seems pretty clear to me.
Why did evangelicals vote for Bush?
A common topic of discussion since the election has revolved around the question, “Why does everyone think that if you’re a Christian you had to vote for Bush?” Many people have said on talk radio, “I’m a Protestant evangelical and I voted for Kerry. I don’t like it when people assume that all Christians are for Bush.”
It’s an interesting thought and I will attempt to answer the question here.
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among the brothers.
George Bush is not perfect, nor is he America’s savior. But he is a humble and meek man who tries to follow the teachings of the Bible as well as the Constitution of the United States. This alone makes many evangelical Christians want him as president.
But Kerry:
- A John Kerry campaign aide said that Kerry turned to him when he heard about the bump Bush received in the polls after the Republican Convention and said, “I can’t believe I’m losing to this idiot.” Haughty eyes
- Kerry told the American public that Bush was going to reinstate the draft, even though there was no indicaton this would happen and Bush had consistently said that it was not so. A lying tongue
- Kerry admitted in congressional testimony that he had participated in war crimes including the random shooting of Vietnamese civilians. Hands that shed innocent blood
- Kerry and Edwards planned to use Mary Cheney as political fodder by proclaiming during the debates that Mary is gay even though George Bush is against gay marriage. A heart that devises wicked plans
- One of the few things that John Kerry did not change his position on during the campaign was the incredible evil of partial birth abortion, which he has supported every step of the way. Feet that make haste to run to evil
- John Kerry testified that the memory of being in Cambodia during Christmas was “seared into his memory.” We have since found out that this was a complete fabrication. A false witness who breathes out lies
- The Kerry and Edwards claims that the Republicans were going to try to deny minorities the right to vote was intended to frighten those minorities and cause racial tension, which was thought to be a good motivator for getting the minorities to the polls to vote against the Republicans. One who sows discord among brothers
The Bible says that God hates all of these things that Kerry did and finds them an abomination. I’d say the real question is, “How could anyone who is a Christian vote for John Kerry?”
God controls the course of nations
Here’s a response to a previous post:
Anonymous said…
What point is it with a president holding up the cross in one hand and nukeclear device in the other. Where the cross is used to pull the people in the direction he wants then hit the trigger on “the bad people”. I say; for the sake of OUR world – Let no religion deside how the world is controlled.
No religion decides how the world is controlled. God decides how the world is controlled.
Psalm 33: 10-12
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”
Christianity is benevolent. If the United States follows the teachings of the Bible, we will never “hit the trigger on the bad people.” We will only defend our nation from attack and help others who need our help defending their own freedoms.
For the Sake of Our Nation – Listen to God
Proverbs 1:32-33″The simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
The old media establishment is complaining loudly that evangelicals threw the election to George Bush instead of allowing their man to win. The evangelical voting bloc may or may not have turned this election, but it is important to note what Solomon said in the verse above.
We who call ourselves Christians must vote according to what we are taught in the Word of God. God is opposed to gay marriage, abortion, and free sex. God is for governments protecting their people, freedom of religion (not freedom from religion), and good stewardship of the environment. We must weigh all the issues and vote for the candidate that best upholds the mandates of God. In this election there was no question about who that candidate was and evangelicals apparently voted for that candidate.
I hope we evangelicals will continue to follow God’s Word now that the election is over.
Why did evangelicals vote for Bush?
A common topic of discussion since the election has revolved around the question, “Why does everyone think that if you’re a Christian you had to vote for Bush?” Many people have said on talk radio, “I’m a Protestant evangelical and I voted for Kerry. I don’t like it when people assume that all Christians are for Bush.”
It’s an interesting thought and I will attempt to answer the question here.
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among the brothers.
George Bush is not perfect, nor is he America’s savior. But he is a humble and meek man who tries to follow the teachings of the Bible as well as the Constitution of the United States. This alone makes many evangelical Christians want him as president.
But Kerry:
- A John Kerry campaign aide said that Kerry turned to him when he heard about the bump Bush received in the polls after the Republican Convention and said, “I can’t believe I’m losing to this idiot.” Haughty eyes
- Kerry told the American public that Bush was going to reinstate the draft, even though there was no indicaton this would happen and Bush had consistently said that it was not so. A lying tongue
- Kerry admitted in congressional testimony that he had participated in war crimes including the random shooting of Vietnamese civilians. Hands that shed innocent blood
- Kerry and Edwards planned to use Mary Cheney as political fodder by proclaiming during the debates that Mary is gay even though George Bush is against gay marriage. A heart that devises wicked plans
- One of the few things that John Kerry did not change his position on during the campaign was the incredible evil of partial birth abortion, which he has supported every step of the way. Feet that make haste to run to evil
- John Kerry testified that the memory of being in Cambodia during Christmas was “seared into his memory.” We have since found out that this was a complete fabrication. A false witness who breathes out lies
- The Kerry and Edwards claims that the Republicans were going to try to deny minorities the right to vote was intended to frighten those minorities and cause racial tension, which was thought to be a good motivator for getting the minorities to the polls to vote against the Republicans. One who sows discord among brothers
The Bible says that God hates all of these things that Kerry did and finds them an abomination. I’d say the real question is, “How could anyone who is a Christian vote for John Kerry?”
By His grace - For His glory 