Ok, this is a long off-topic piece but I think church vs state is being forgotten here. It's a whole lot more
nuanced than you seem to have it.
GOD SAYS GOVERNMENT IS GOOD: Where does Paul say we should judge society and convert people to godly practice through the law? Doesn't he say he only judges those within the church, not outside? (1 Cor 5.) Indeed, during the reign of the Romans, government taxes were often used to build temples to Jupiter and other pagan gods. Yet (before the persecution broke out) Paul calls them "God's servants to do you good" (Romans 13) and that they do not bear the sword for nothing. If God could call ROMAN emperors and government laws "good" in the sense that it mitigates complete lawlessness, then that's interesting don't you think? What do you make of that? Doesn't that give us grounds for voting for parties based on what does the least harm? (Even though it might be a process one does holding one's nose a bit at some of the stuff we don't like?) Basically I think a lot of Christians today confuse separation of church and state. The government is NOT there to convert people or make them live godly lives, but to prevent disorder. Reread Romans 13 - and remember - this is a thoroughly pagan government funding pagan temples and who knows what godless festivals etc.
"3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."
WHY I VOTE SOCIAL LIBERAL (Labor in Australia or I would probably vote Democrat if I were American.)
My most pressing concern as a Social Liberal politically is working towards abundant clean energy. This will solve climate change, solve the high energy costs that filter through and harm the whole economy, and clean the air. (Coal and oil and gas dust particulates kill more people every week when it goes RIGHT than the entire history of nuclear power going wrong. Solar and wind capacity are doubling every 4 years. We can do this!) I also promote EV's as that will rob petro-dictators like the Middle East and Russia of their funding, and improve the lot of the poor in our own societies. I also like better town planning, as New Urbanism walking distance communities built around a town square with a subway metro creates community, healthier people, less loneliness, and more safety.
MEDICINE: I would also like to see America adopt a more Australian standard of socialised medicine because it is fairer, faster, more effective and VASTLY cheaper! That's why I'm left of centre - the market is good at some things - government better at others. America's health care system is an international outlier. It's just an economic fact - google it.
I'M PERSONALLY socially conservative, BUT ECONOMICALLY PROGRESSIVE: All of which is to say, while I personally am trying to be morally and socially conservative, I am not economically conservative. I have to vote according to the most urgent crisis facing us. Gay marriage? Meh. Let them. I have gay colleagues who think I'm a bit odd for being Christian - but we can get along at work and have a laugh. If God comes up, I explain I'm no better than them. Heterosexual or gay or trans, we're all just as fallen in our sexuality and prone to doing or thinking things that do not please God. I'm just as in need of Jesus death and resurrection as them. IF they are thinking of becoming Christians, I'll explain I know gay Christians that are celibate for God and try to live grateful for his love and the love of their church families and friends. But as far as society goes, meh. As long as gay marriage is not weaponised against ministers I know, and they are not forced to perform gay marriages against their consciences, can't we figure out a way to live together in a broad, multicultural democratic society? Some of the funniest moments in my otherwise boring work have been sharing dark Aussie humour during tough times with my gay friends. I'm not going to give that up! Getting snooty about it is prejudiced, pharisaic, unloving, and unnecessary. As CS Lewis said the most political thing we can do is share God with our neighbours. Get good at apologetics and sharing the gospel, and let the church do what the church does and government do what the government does. Read Romans 13 again.
C S Lewis said something to the effect that the most political thing we can do is share God with our neighbours. Get good at apologetics and sharing the gospel, and let the church do what the church does and government do what the government does. Read Romans 13 again.
ABORTION: Finally - I remember reading a paper years ago that showed abortion rates went down under Democrats in America. That's because they funded welfare and education services better that prevented pregnancies in the first place. Making abortion illegal will drive it underground and kill mothers as well as babies. Abortion is an awful, awful subject - and it's a terrible way to view human lives as "My body - my choice" because it's scientifically demonstrably NOT their body - it's unique DNA and another human being with their own rights to growth and opportunity and self-determination! More on secular arguments against abortion here.
Pro Life - Undeceptions So I would rather see sex education and contraceptive advice in schools than abortion - just because of the horrible long term effects on the individuals - let alone the effects on society that devalues human life like this. But again - there's a difference against preaching against abortion and public policy on it. And letting it become the ONLY policy you'll vote on distorts the political framework and gets people like Trump elected, which brings us back to the topic at hand!
