I'm not going to sit here and say who to vote for, or who not to vote for, the purpose of this message is not to sway people one way or the other, but rather to point out a problem that I see in the Church regarding politics.
we can Vote as individuals however we want, and why not, it's a freedom one I hope everyone reading this message holds dear, the issue that I see is the Church within the US choosing sides in the election, Pastors have thrown their support behind candidates
"I am such a strong admirer and supporter of George W. Bush that if he suggested eliminating the income tax or doubling it, I would vote yes on first blush." - Jerry Falwell
but that was the previous president, we're now in 2008 and Mccain is now the republican presidential candidate. today I found a video that I found (as a christian) to be disturbing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g0d3_KE5js Rev Arnold Conrad putting GOD's reputation on the line for Mccain to win. If Mccain doesn't win does that mean that GOD is not as powerful as the other gods or that Christianity is wrong? NO! Then again GOD didn't speak from the heavens saying he'd ensure Mccain or Obama would win. This is the principal point I want to make, Christianity has become so intertwined in republican politics, that non Christians will look at the church as supporting wars that had no basis (WMD's in Iraq), a president who tried to privatize Social Security before this economic crisis, a church that is in favor of Abu Ghraib, or Guantanamo Bay.
Christians have to show the world they they follow Jesus, not the guy who won the republican primaries. The Church needs to show the world that they follow a Man who refused to let his followers from taking revenge on the servant who was arresting him, but rather healed the ear of that servant, instead of following a man who thought the Keating 5 was a pretty good idea.
that all said, if you want to vote republican for whatever reason go for it, if you want to vote democrat for whatever reason go for it, I just ask that you do so as an individual not as a church, as JFK said:
"I hope that no American will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me solely on account of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant." - John F. Kennedy
we can Vote as individuals however we want, and why not, it's a freedom one I hope everyone reading this message holds dear, the issue that I see is the Church within the US choosing sides in the election, Pastors have thrown their support behind candidates
"I am such a strong admirer and supporter of George W. Bush that if he suggested eliminating the income tax or doubling it, I would vote yes on first blush." - Jerry Falwell
but that was the previous president, we're now in 2008 and Mccain is now the republican presidential candidate. today I found a video that I found (as a christian) to be disturbing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g0d3_KE5js Rev Arnold Conrad putting GOD's reputation on the line for Mccain to win. If Mccain doesn't win does that mean that GOD is not as powerful as the other gods or that Christianity is wrong? NO! Then again GOD didn't speak from the heavens saying he'd ensure Mccain or Obama would win. This is the principal point I want to make, Christianity has become so intertwined in republican politics, that non Christians will look at the church as supporting wars that had no basis (WMD's in Iraq), a president who tried to privatize Social Security before this economic crisis, a church that is in favor of Abu Ghraib, or Guantanamo Bay.
Christians have to show the world they they follow Jesus, not the guy who won the republican primaries. The Church needs to show the world that they follow a Man who refused to let his followers from taking revenge on the servant who was arresting him, but rather healed the ear of that servant, instead of following a man who thought the Keating 5 was a pretty good idea.
that all said, if you want to vote republican for whatever reason go for it, if you want to vote democrat for whatever reason go for it, I just ask that you do so as an individual not as a church, as JFK said:
"I hope that no American will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me solely on account of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant." - John F. Kennedy