I encourage you to read the letters from Christ to the Seven churches, in the book of Revelation chapters 1 to 3, especially chapter 3.
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looking for strong future Christian politicians!
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there is one point you raised with which I agree: current "Christian" broadcasters are full of...I don't tune in. That's NOT what I meant by handing the state control over the media.
If you are not accusing me of promoting hate speech (I accept that I might have misunderstood your statement), I still wonder where in my post I have hinted that I am in favour of holocaust denial?
I have watched one episode of the Vicar of...in my life and I found it funny and harmless. Protecting the audience does not mean depriving them of their fun. Plus I have NO PROBLEM in including other religion's opinions, under the banner of democracy. It would be a change from the "tolerant" minded who are so open to everything as long as it doesn't subscribe to the God of the Bible. Yes I said it!!!!
My daily exposure to the disregard for Christian values (in the legal system and everyday life) for the benefit of political correctness tells me that the term democracy in this country borrows a lot from totalitarianism. You just have to agree with the majority, full stop! So forgive me if your objections fail to impress me (and by that I DON'T MEAN I BELIEVE IN TOTALITARIANISM).
However I respect your right to hold the view that I am getting ahead of myself.
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Catherineanne
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Catherineanne
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There's plenty of choice at the moment, to have state controlled media would be the very opposite of choice.
Your point seems to be that we should replace the church with a theocratic state government. Something for which I find no biblical command.
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Absolutely correct. There are Christians in political parties from Ukip all the way across to the Greens and socialists. If it was easy to get Christians to agree on political policies you'd think they'd agree of Christian doctrine and practice first.
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Well this is what's hard to understand, if you don't like the output of Christian broadcasters we currently have; how are theocratic state controlled broadcasters going to produce anything better?
You want to promote different opinions on issues don't you? Why not start with holocaust denial? Or flat earth cosmology?
I think I see the difference in our perspective now. You believe that God's agent for spiritual and moral change in society is the state government through legislation, policing etc.; I believe God's agent for renewal, revival and reformation in society is the Church through the preaching of the Gospel. And so we are poles apart
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1. Media: I am not necessarily happy with the content of media generally speaking. As I stated before, it's the most powerful weapon ever invented to shape and manipulate the human mind. Take any media channel, TV, newspapers, radio, etc. They all contribute to this.
However, regardless of my personal feelings, I believe that as a hypothetically Christian leader living in a Democracy, I can't simply order a ban on EVERYTHING I disagree with, since it would be a direct challenge to people's freedom (except for extreme cases such as inappropriate content once again, first degree violence, etc...because of the direct link between those and anti-social behaviour, see what I mean?).
Nationalisation or monitoring of the media would, in my view, be a way to keep the public accurately and fully informed. If not by cancelling altogether programs about our ancestors the monkeys (totally sarcastic here), at least by including documentaries about creation. Allowing the World view vs the Bible's account. THAT'S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd love to broadcast ladies testimonies about the benefits of sexual purity right next to "16 and pregnant" for instance (just a random example). Do you understand what I am saying now?I'm beginning to think my English is really flawed and I can't put my point across.
I don't personally want to PROMOTE lies but if I choose to keep the state a Democracy and not a theocracy (unlike what you seem to suspect me of) I must give the public the chance to have access to both sides of each stories, without restricting Christian programs to Christian channels for a Christian audience. And as I said, I am not a big fan of those so-called Christian channels anyways. I don't think Christianity on TV should be narrowed to sermons and "healing crusades" (lol). It should also address real life situations that any John Smith can relate to, in order for him to understand the relevance of the Word of God in today's society. It can only be done if the media give a CHANCE to the public to know the consequences of certain paths taken in direct contradiction with the Bible: How about we tell the public about the rate of depression and suicides among transgenders (with the use of actual statistics?); Or the trauma brought about by abortion, instead of hailing the practice as feminist achievement? How about asserting the importance of the bond between father and child/denouncing the link between the absence of a father figure and gang culture (I live in a city full of those stories)?And so on and so on...
I might have used those illustrations before,lol...
It may not always appear that way but the newspapers happen to operate under the pressure of Government agenda (and God knows that this agenda is not always pretty) and also the pressure of the Market. No story, no sales. No events, no story. So the making up/polishing/rearrangement of facts in order to create and sell stories are common practice unfortunately in the world of journalism. Just the headlines can be sometimes very misleading. I know it because I devour the papers and my experience and personal connections give me regular access to facts (not EVERYTHING) which often end up inaccurately transcribed on paper. That's why the media enrage me so much and I believe that those lies MUST be challenged at all costs!
2. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO brother (or sister) in Christ I DON'T believe that ONLY by seizing the reins of power we will attain a Millenium-like society. I believe in day to day Gospel sharing just like you do, and I am happy and proud to say that my church is very active in this aspect. We street preach, we sing and witness one-to-one outdoors on a weekly basis. Plus I personally believe that sharing the Gospel must be a lifestyle, not just a Church agenda. So with God's help I try to share His love with as many people as I can (well I sometimes let opportunities pass me by, shame on me).BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT CAN ALSO BE ACHIEVED THROUGH POLITICS. Being a Christian and a politician is not a contradiction.
The abolition of slavery was the fruit of Christian people efforts (in union with non-Christians, I will give you that). Same with the United Nations or the Human Rights Convention...
All throughout the Bible we are given examples of this too: Moses was what you would call a leader of the opposition in a country which regarded their pagan King as the only source of supreme authority; Jonathan too opposed his father Saul the King for the sake of his friend David ; David WAS King to say the least, and the Bible tells us that he was a King after God's heart; Joseph was raised to the level of Prime Minister right next to Pharaoh and his relationship with Almighty God enabled him to create and sustain wealth in Egypt at a time when the famine had struck every nation on earth; wouldn't Greece benefit from a similar Minister of finances? Ezra started the return of the Babylon exiles back to Jerusalem; Shadrac, Mishac and Abednego were attendants to Nebukadnezar (the most powerful emperor of his generation), and the Bible tells us that they were highly educated; Military Jehu overturned the Royal house of Ahab and his wicked wife Jezabel before being established King of Israel following Elisha's prophetic word!And don't forget that in the Books of I and II Kings, every time a new monarch is appointed, the Bible starts by putting across whether the person did what was right or wrong in the eyes of the Lord and it in the case of wrong it often adds: "And he led Israel into sin...". That tells me that what is decided at the top of a nation influences the rest of the body for good or bad, you get my point?
Now...what about us, 21st century Christians? Times may have evolved (for better and for worst) but God made it clear before: He doesn't change (Malachi 3:6)! I agree politics is not everyone's calling, plus it's true that we still find Christians involved with Parties disagreeing (mind you, disagreeing is first and foremost a HUMAN prerogative regardless of their beliefs, and anyway what is prayer for but to seek God's perfect judgement in all situations?) but I REJECT the notion that we ought to stay out of politics (By that I am not implying that you suggested such thing). In fact I would submit to you that it is BECAUSE of this mentality that we witness such a heartbreaking drift between this Humanity and her Maker, totally pushed forward by a mainly atheist political elite. I don't minimize the evangelical work performed by the Church on a daily basis, I thank God for it and for my fellow Christians who dedicate their lives to it. It's the great Commission isn't it? Simply I believe that the Great Commission does NOT exclude politics.
PS: the absurdity of Holocaust denial is already disproved by the abundance of documentation out there about the Third Reich. Turning a blind eye on such a hard evidenced dark piece of History is mere maliciousness, I utterly condemn it. But it won't stop people from thinking and chosing what they want to believe will it?
Pfffiuu! I am exhausted now!
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By the way sorry for the use of Capitals. Don't think I am getting cross with you; I can get very passionate sometimes, it's not to be confused with aggressiveness. But if I made you feel that way forgive me.
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Great! Question then: would you say that some of Jesus concerns over His Bride back in those days still apply in our times or you think that we have remained in all things uncompromisingly faithful to His Word and His commission for us ("Go and make disciples out of all nations" Matthieu 28:10)?I of course personally believe those Scriptures should be used today as a wake up call for us. We have allowed for too long the secular States to dictate the Church what to incorporate in its doctrine/withdraw from it . A a result we are now facing a situation where the Anglican church, to take only this example, suffers serious divisions among its attendants and officers (I am not speaking for every single Church goer of course, and certainly not about the unrepentant sex offenders who belong anywhere but in the House of God). Jesus Himself says "Because you are neither hot nor cold I will spew you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16); But you see, the issue is: in the face of increasingly Christian-unfriendly sentiment harboured by leftist/liberal pressure groups with the collaboration of the State, the Church is made to cower away from the original Gospel and open its doors to the politically correct New Age Religion.
To give you an example of how much they like us in Westminster (sarcastic of course): I was informed that the education secretary Charles Clarke is presently pushing for the suppression of collective worship in schools:
christianconcern.com/our-concerns/education/plans-to-stifle-christian-freedoms-in-schools?
We are being constantly targeted and lied to about our freedom of religion. Unless we stand for our rights in the face of our State runners, the situation will keep on deteriorating, until the very act of Bible preaching is criminalised. You think I am exaggerating? Follow the link I sent you, scroll and explore the other topics on the website; see then for yourself the need we have to see men and women of God rise up and step into leadership in the Government.
Enough said hopefully!
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Challenging perceived lies in the media is one thing, state control of the media is another thing entirely and Christians everywhere ought to be extremely wary such totalitarian thinking.
NO. IT CAN'T. NOR SHOULD IT. THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL MISUNDERSTANDING A FAILURE TO GRASP THE GRASP THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAW AND GOSPEL.
No-one said it was. What you're advocating is little short of a theocracy. No christian politician I know of is advocating this.
I get your point; you want to return to the old covenant.
Again, nobody is advocating Christians stay out of politics, what people (not just me) are saying is that a totalitarian theocratic state would be an awful idea.
So? You wanted alternative opinions to be taught in schools, and there are alternative opinions to the Holocaust, the moon landing, cosmology etc, why stop at just the ones you want promoted?
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My point was: People are, alas, exposed to the anti-Semitic Holocaust denial indeed. But thank God there is ENOUGH DOCUMENTATION for them to be properly educated about it. In other words they HAVE A CHOICE! The denial can not be crammed down their throats like the theory of the Big Bang, and they have the freedom to contest it without getting the name callings Christians do!
I am not content with the state of society nowadays, but I don't believe in just mopping about while waiting for Jesus to snatch me out of it (this is not a direct attack to you, I promise). I refuse to contribute to the general Christian passivity in the face of the mess our politics have engineered for us (or should I say against us). I think we have a responsibility which we have allowed to slip out of our hands because we underestimate the role God has given us as watchmen, light of the World, salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13)
I believe in prayer followed by action, and I am inviting brothers and sisters who share the same fire to contact me so we can work together in righting some serious wrongs in a practical way. I have ideas but I can't put them into practice alone.
So far alas I haven't met any fiercer opposition (along with some support) than within Christian circles but I want to believe God for an open door still.
I think it is pretty clear that you and I are standing at very opposite ends (without questioning our beliefs in the Bible, let's just say that like you pointed out, our interpretations vary here and there) and this discussion will not produce any thing more than pointless arguments .I wish to put an end to it. It's ok though, the first disciples argued a lot too and it never stopped them from becoming the pioneers of the Faith. So all the best to you and may God continue to use you powerfully for the advancement of His Kingdom.
Have a blessed night
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