Hello all, I wrote this to Tom. It is about politics and how we are to integrate faith into politics. Here are some of my thoughts. Read it and let me know what you think. Some thoughts are still a bit fluid, so please give some feed back to my thoughts.
You also said this in your email that caught my attention... :)
"Yes the next president is important but are the current candidates going to 'change' things or shall I stop holding my breath and make the changes myself in my own little circle of influence?"
I will first share with you my view on politics however. There is no Christian Party... and no Christian Candidate... (A really good book about this topic is titled 'Gods Politics'... written by Jim Wallis). As Christians we are salt and light in this world. God has given us the spirit of discernment that only He can give. As such, we are to stand for all truth, and justice. Not just particular issues. So, as such we need to be a voice of truth into both parties.... not a foundation for the Republican Party. We need to critique and encourage both sides towards views that support our pursuit of the
A side note: We also must be willing to ask ourselves hard questions that may not have a neat answer.
Example: Is it possible for the rights of the widow and our pro-life stance to conflict? What if she gets raped? What if it was incest? These are hard questions we must not brush aside. Both ‘pro-life’ and the defense of the orphan and widow are very biblical.
It pains me to think how most evangelicals have become a monolithic voting block. Example: Mike Huckabee is strongly supported by 'evangelicals' because he is all about 'defending marriage' and is 'pro-life'. However, he fails to defend marriage with his economic policies… Republicans are typically about big business... and usually our city centers do worse under their administrations. One of the biggest stresses in marriage can be money and financial stress.... but why do republicans politicians miss this point? They miss is because they are not Christian, they are a conservative political party…. Who also aimed at pursuing financial gain and power at others expense. Republicans say that families are a building block to society, yes! They have that part right, but lets empower families in oppression and poverty to succeed and stay together through health care reform, education reform, criminal justice reform.... don't just tell them to stay married; but give them tools to do so. (James 2 I believe talks much about the connection between faith and works.... which I think sits here)
Also republicans claim to be pro-life. But do not value ALL OF HUMAN LIFE. If you are pro-life you are pro education. You value the forgotten children of society who are subject to a broken school system. (You don’t cut public funding for education such as Bush of Tim Palenty…both of whom claim to be pro-life) If you are pro-life you want better health care for all Americans.... not just for those who can afford it. (Yet most evangelicals and Republicans are against health care reform) If you are pro-life, you will encourage economic development in our city centers (such as north
Democrats, you claim to value life.... which is why you are for education, health care, against the war etc.... yet do you value the life of the unborn child? Do you value the spiritual life that Jesus Christ freely gives to people if we would only accept his love?
Democrats, you hate homophobia.... as should Christians.... You support an inclusive society.... where people are loved for who they are.... as should Christians. Democrats are so close to the wonderful and beautiful concept that Christians know as Grace. God loving us for whom we are now... however Democrats are missing the most important part.... Jesus Christ Our God and our Father loves us for who we are now. Accepting people for who they are is not the end but the means to realizing grace… realizing that we are loved for who we are, not what we do.
The Love of God is the force that changes people, not judgment, condemnation, and legislation.
Democrats and liberals claim to accept people without judgment…(we the church need very much to work on this)… but fail to bring people to a place where they encounter God and see themselves for who they are. Being accepted as I am does not bring about complete healing, but rather is the place where we are able to come to God as we are. (Another good book about this topic is the “Ragamuffin Gospel” written by Brennin Manning) On the contrary, conservative evangelicals (who are all too often synonymous with republicans) tend to judge people and tell them they will be loved and accepted when they change their life style. The love of God is the under girding power that changes people, that is changing me.... not the carrot in front of them used for motivation to change. Love from God, and his people must come first.
Obama on the other hand is about bringing together what he calls a 'working majority in congress'; those who are willing to find solutions and to leave strong party lines behind. He also has a broader support base of independents and republicans than Ms. Clinton, which is why I believe his rhetoric has the ability to become reality.
Secondly, you stated at the beginning that you are wondering whether you should hope for change from the top down (from an elected official) or if you should just use your sphere of influence ( a grass roots movement… bottom up if you will) Obama is a grass roots movement. He has stated many times that change starts with people like me and you. His Philosophy of change, is that it happens from the bottom up. This is similar to the lineage of MLK, Gandhi, Malcolm X, and Nelson Mandela. Power of elected officials should come from the people, thus the phrase “a government from the people, by the people. for the people….” My point is this. It is not an EITHER OR issue, but rather a BOTH AND issue. Obama leading our country will make a difference, at least when compared to the other candidates, however change happens from the bottom up. We always need to strive to affect our sphere of influence! J
Ms. Clinton disagrees with Obama in that she believes that change happens from the top down. That is why she got in trouble when talking about Dr. MLK that, in terms of civil rights, “it took a president to get it done”. She was speaking of president LBJ and the civil rights legislation of the late 1960’s. What she failed to realize was all of the people that elected LBJ who supported such measures were part of a grass roots movement in civil rights. Politicians will rarely knowingly do something that will hurt her or his political well being. LBJ signed those documents because it was good for him and his political legacy. Again, this is a BOTH AND issue. The President of the
Those are my opinions are the moment. Some of the thoughts are not completely thought through so please critique away! J
