Why is this forum so politically active?

[Maria Billingsley]

I'm curious as to what that means. . .I spend my time in the Scriptural and theological forums.

I'm quite surprised you don't know what I mean. Maybe this photo will help.

 

[timothyu]

Cute but totally off track, she is.

 

[bèlla]

MAGA is a symbol of a deficiency within the church that finally reared its head. Neither Trump nor politics were the catalyst. They were merely the voids they rallied behind. You don’t reach the point where you’re putting hats on Christ overnight. It’s evident there’s a dearth of belonging they find in the movement that’s lacking in the body.

~bella

 

[Clare73]

I'm quite surprised you don't know what I mean. Maybe this photo will help.

Oh, wow!

Hadn't seen these.

Just as well. . .

 

[timothyu]

Like Jesus would care about a worldly country when He clearly told us what His priorities are. Institutionalized Christianity sold out and destroyed itself when it tried to make Rome great again. We humans for 2000 years are not even capable of making the Kingdom great again, although a few try. The politics of man is a joke, and so is our attempts at religion which always turns worldly in nature. Self interest is the true religion of man, as that poster shows.

 

[ARBITER01]

I already know how I'm going to vote on things, so I don't need to spend my day reading up on current news and arguing with folks about it.

 

[CerebralCherub]

I'm quite surprised you don't know what I mean. Maybe this photo will help.

View attachment 369577

May Jesus lead this woman so that she may glorify Him according to His will.

 

[High Fidelity]

I don't really engage in politics, for a number of reasons, but I wondered why the political sections under the Christian and non-believer sections are so active?

It's not an issue for me but, rather, a curiosity.

It would be more uplifting, I guess, to see the same level of activity in other areas of the forum but it seems politics dominate.

Hope that makes sense! God bless.

This site became a political forum for the most part a long time ago.

If I were the owner then I'd ban all political topics, but it's the political topics thay drive traffic and bring the money in, so it won't happen.

 

[Michie]

The reason why this particular forum is politically active is because it is called General Politics. There are many other forums that are dedicated to different topics.

 

[timothyu]

The bible is full of examples of man failing to follow the will of God and pursuing self-interest. Nothing changes. They just yet have not awakened to the right direction. The Jews of Jesus‘ day and gentile Christianity was no less guilty of being wrapped up in worldly affairs. I personally have no problem going into political threads and reminding them there is a third option, a Kingdom/ governance that runs contrary to the will of man that serves God and each other in need. You don”t find that in the governance of man, just oppression.

 

[CerebralCherub]

The reason why this particular forum is politically active is because it is called General Politics. There are many other forums that are dedicated to different topics.

Thank you. I was referring to the overall activity of the forum seemingly being very active with regards to politics compared to other parts of the forum which seem much quieter i.e. updated less frequently, less participation etc.

 

[CerebralCherub]

The bible is full of examples of man failing to follow the will of God and pursuing self-interest. Nothing changes. They just yet have not awakened to the right direction. The Jews of Jesus‘ day and gentile Christianity was no less guilty of being wrapped up in worldly affairs. I personally have no problem going into political threads and reminding them there is a third option, a Kingdom/ governance that runs contrary to the will of man that serves God and each other in need. You don”t find that in the governance of man, just oppression.

2 Timothy 2:23-24 NIV​

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Titus 3:9 NIV​

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

2 Timothy 2:14 NIV​

Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV​

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

 

[Michie]

Thank you. I was referring to the overall activity of the forum seemingly being very active with regards to politics compared to other parts of the forum which seem much quieter i.e. updated less frequently, less participation etc.

Yeah CF has really changed over the years but a lot of folks talk about their political preferences as if it is their faith or only source of identity. I wish there was more talk about faith rather that politics but it just does not seem to work that way anymore. No matter how much you post about the Christian faith. It just does not seem to have the same draw as political topics. Politics have become an idol of sorts imo.

 

[CerebralCherub]

Yeah CF has really changed over the years but a lot of folks talk about their political preferences as if it is their faith or only source of identity. I wish there was more talk about faith rather that politics but it just does not seem to work that way anymore. No matter how much you post about the Christian faith. It just does not seem to have the same draw as political topics. Politics have become an idol of sorts imo.

Yes, I believe you're correct about people viewing their politics as identity and idolatry. I was reading Ephesians and Timothy tonight. A lot was said there about how the draw of society imperils Christians if they are lulled into the current trends. It made me think about my own behaviour and how/if I am representing Jesus Christ when I engage in this behaviour.

This is important to me for 2 reasons:

1. Some of my family are non-believers. I need to be an example of what it is to be a believer and that is almost unilaterally rejecting societal norms/temptations etc.
2. Some of my family are 'believers' but they do not act in the way we are instructed to act as believers. How can I correct my brother if I am acting in the same way? Maybe they are ignorant of the instruction, but I'm not, so what excuse would I have if Jesus were to hold me to account?

There is another forum I frequent which I have prayed about being a member on because it is very, very modernistic, anti-Christian (in the main), promotes sin etc. I told myself I could impart some Christian values there and maybe make a difference. In reality, I was being drawn into the drama and it was addicting! It was really 'fun' for me to engage but I believe God showed me that it is sinful so I have since deleted my membership.

It's so easy to be drawn into things. I guess that is why it's important to be part of the right type of community so we can help one another stay on the hard path.

 

[timothyu]

I guess that is why it's important to be part of the right type of community so we can help one another stay on the hard path.

It may be useful until one feels strong enough to be in the world without membership in a clique. Jesus promoted a way of life, not a religion. Religion was His foe if one recalls. Yet man found it difficult to refrain from going right back to identifying as a religion. What happens when man forms such a group, they build walls and anyone outside becomes an enemy, defeating the purpose of His teachings.

 

[CerebralCherub]

It may be useful until one feels strong enough to be in the world without membership in a clique. Jesus promoted a way of life, not a religion. Religion was His foe if one recalls. Yet man found it difficult to refrain from going right back to identifying as a religion. What happens when man forms such a group, they build walls and anyone outside becomes an enemy, defeating the purpose of His teachings.

I'm not sure I agree about Christian unity being a 'clique'

Paul built churches for members to attend those churches. I don't think he dedicated his life to building enemy walls to directly contravene the teachings of Jesus Christ, do you?

 

[timothyu]

Cliques as in memberships in institutionalized religion. That is not a way of life but human regulation. Jesus taught a way of life, the Way which merely meant putting the Will of God ahead of our own in all things which is love neighbour as self, hence simply acting in servitude to the Father and to each other in need. No whitewashed religion clean on the outside but corrupted within. Paul’s churches were not what we call churches today but localized movements following God’s Will. You may notice any admonishment was over these communes being humanized.

 

[CerebralCherub]

Cliques as in memberships in institutionalized religion. That is not a way of life but human regulation. Jesus taught a way of life, the Way which merely meant putting the Will of God ahead of our own in all things which is love neighbour as self, hence simply acting in servitude to the Father and to each other in need. No whitewashed religion clean on the outside but corrupted within. Paul’s churches were not what we call churches today but localized movements following God’s Will. You may notice any admonishment was over these communes being humanized.

I think that is what drew me towards non-denominational churches who teach biblically. My church, IMO, is not perfect, either e.g. there is a lot of focus, too much focus, on the love and compassion of Jesus Christ and zero mention of sin. Jesus is posited as very one dimensional and the sermons are very flowery.

 

[timothyu]

Hence following the Way makes it easy to walk among the world rather than shut ourselves away in organizations.

What you stated shows the problem. If institutions were blunt no one would need srick around to have their ears tickled. Instead they would be told sin is simply putting our will ahead of God’s so follow those commandments I just mentioned and get out there and live it. Teach others to be respectful and kind. Jesus said His church would be built upon a foundation of truth from God and that is behaving as mentioned. No need for human governance and or ceremony.

 

[Clare73]

It may be useful until one feels strong enough to be in the world without membership in a clique. Jesus promoted a way of life, not a religion.

Wrong. . .the Christian belief and way of life is a religion.

Religion was His foe if one recalls.

Man's religion was his foe, God's religion was not if one recalls.