Can one be a Democrat and a Christian?

[vanshan]

This is a serious question. I know there are many faithful Christians in the Democrat Party, but many parts of the platform directly violate the principles of our faith, such as abortion and their open approval of homosexuality and gay marriage. Can one be faithful to Christ and be yolked with such a group?

 

[Philip]

Yes, I think so. To the best of my knowledge, one is not required to all planks of the platform in order to a member of a political party. It seems to me that one can be in a party, disagree with some of its agenda, and work from within to reform that agenda.

I think the same applies to any party, not just the Democratic Party.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I have a hard time believing anyone who supports abortion is a Christian... Democrat or Republican.

The DNC however has "abortion rights" as part of their issue core.

So you make the call...

 

[daveleau]

It is not our place to decide whether someone is Christian or not. Period.

As for the issues of democrats, remember- both parties have severe issues. But, with democrats, you have abortion, homosexual "rights", welfare (as we know it), gov't subsidized racism, and persecution of Christians through abuse of the 1st Amendment. I am surprised whenever I see a Christian who says they will vote democrat.

 

[vanshan]

I guess my question really is, are we held accountable for the positions of the political parties we support through our votes and money? Do we participate in the sinful policies they hold? Is the blood of abortion on our hands if we vote for a candidate who tows the Democrat party line?

Basil

 

[Philip]

I guess my question really is, are we held accountable for the positions of the political parties we support through our votes and money?

Are you held accountable for actions of the nation? Are you held accountable for the positions of businesses your support with your money?

The simple, Biblical answer is 'no':

Mat 22:17-21
Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the tax money." They brought to him a denarius. He asked them, "Whose is this image and inscription?"
They said to him, "Caesar's."
Then he said to them, "Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."​

Certainly these taxes paid to Caesar supported sinful pratices and policies.

Do we participate in the sinful policies they hold?

I certainly hope not. If it is so, then there is no political party to which we can belong. There is no one for which we can vote.

Is the blood of abortion on our hands if we vote for a candidate who tows the Democrat party line?

If you voted for them because the support abortion, then probably. If you voted for them despite their support, then I don't think so.

 

[Crazy Liz]

I'm also concerned that the Republicans have gotten many Christians to align with them by pointing out the sinfulness of a few Democratic policies. I suggest reading the Hebrew Prophets. All of them. And ask yourself if any American political party can claim to be righteous.

Now, if they are all unrighteous, what is a proper Christian response?

 

[vanshan]

Are you held accountable for actions of the nation? Are you held accountable for the positions of businesses your support with your money?


Certainly these taxes paid to Caesar supported sinful pratices and policies.

I certainly hope not. If it is so, then there is no political party to which we can belong. There is no one for which we can vote.

If you voted for them because the support abortion, then probably. If you voted for them despite their support, then I don't think so.

It seems completely different to pay taxes (really just giving the money minted by the U.S. back to the U.S.), which are required by law, than to voluntarily bolster a candidate who will work diligently to insure that atrocities like abortion remain legal. This is very different because you are making a choice. I think the same reasoning would apply to any party.

I would not necessarily extend this rationale to other areas like boycotting retail chains, because I am simply paying for goods or services and what they do with the money is up to them.

I guess a valid question could be to what extent should we be involved with the political processes of this world, other than standing up for justice and the rights of the weak?

Basil

 

[Brandus]

Yes, vanshan, I'm sure that when Jesus comes back the first thing he'll do is sign up for the Republic Party.

I think you are hijacking religion to match your political beliefs.

Can one be faithful to Christ and be yolked with such a group?

Are you doing Christ's work by denouncing Democrats?

 

[SumTinWong]

Are you held accountable for actions of the nation? Are you held accountable for the positions of businesses your support with your money?

The simple, Biblical answer is 'no':

As for the nation are we held accountable? No, I don't think so, but reading Daniel 9, he seemed to take some sort of a personal accountability for the nation he was in with this intercessory prayer:

Daniel 9:4-7 "And I prayed to Jehovah my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and awesome God, keeping the covenant and mercy to those who love Him, and to those who keep His commandments, 5 we have sinned and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from Your commandments and from Your judgments. 6 Neither have we listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our rulers, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us the shame of our faces, as it is today to the men of Judah and to the people of Jerusalem, and to all Israel who are near and who are afar off, through all the countries where You have driven them because of their sin which they have sinned against You."

So I agree with you that we don't have the accountability of our leaders, but as leaders, maybe they have accountability to their subjects? Just asking, since Daniel was a honcho in that time.

 

[Philip]

It seems completely different to pay taxes (really just giving the money minted by the U.S. back to the U.S.), which are required by law,

Actually, you are not required by law to pay taxes -- you are required to file them. However, that is beside the point.

than to voluntarily bolster a candidate who will work diligently to insure that atrocities like abortion remain legal.

Cross off all candidates who might support the legality of abortion. Now you can not vote for a Democrat. Cross off all candidates who support providing money and assistance to organizations that promote Islam or Hinduism in the US. Now you can not vote for a Republican. Pick a party. I will be happy to find an immoral position which they support.

I would not necessarily extend this rationale to other areas like boycotting retail chains, because I am simply paying for goods or services and what they do with the money is up to them.

Even if they tell you upfront that the money you give them will be used for immoral practices?

I guess a valid question could be to what extent should we be involved with the political processes of this world, other than standing up for justice and the rights of the weak?

Indeed, it does.

I part of the debate on this subject is misplaced. One can be morally opposed to something without being legally opposed to it. I don't believe that a legal system, especially on that claims to be plural, can be based on morals.

Pre-marital sex is immoral, but I don't think it should be a crime.
Aduletry is immoral, but I don't think it should be a crime.
Homosexual activity is immoral, but I don't think it should be a crime.
Holding racist views is immoral, but I don't think it should be a crime.
Practicing Buddhism is immoral, but I don't think it should be a crime.

 

[christian-only]

Can one be faithful to Christ and be yolked with such a group?

No. Two reasons at least:

1. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isa 5:20)
   
   This is EXACTLY what democrats do. To them, homosexuality and baby-killing are good but opposing these evils is evil. Perversion, to them, is sweet and morality bitter. And on and on the list can go!
   
   
2. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Eph 5:11)
   
   There's just about nothing darker than democrats, especially John Kerry the baby-killer (I'm refering to his stand that its OK to kill a baby so long as its head is still in the womb, even if the rest of it is already out.)

 

[Lotar]

With the exception of abortion, Democrates are closer to Christian ideals than Republicans.

One thinks it's okay to kill unborn babies, the other thinks it's okay to let poor babies die before and after birth.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

... the other thinks it's okay to let poor babies die before and after birth.

Yeah that's what we believe

 

[Brandus]

"Nothing darker than democrats"? You have got to be kidding me. This thread is a disaster.

 

[Lotar]

Yeah that's what we believe

It is, though none ever state it so bluntly. What do you think the consequences of not having national healthcare, cutbacks on welfare, etc., are?

 

[nephilimiyr]

Hmmmm....let me see...support the democtratic party who supports the MURDER of BABIES! I say my God demands me to never vote for those people! Never, never, never! I would rather be tortured to death in the worst way then to ever vote for a democrate!

 

[nephilimiyr]

With the exception of abortion, Democrates are closer to Christian ideals than Republicans.

One thinks it's okay to kill unborn babies, the other thinks it's okay to let poor babies die before and after birth.

What is that supposed to mean? Are you talking about capitol punishment?

There are more political parties other than the democrates and republicans. I personaly wont vote for either one of them. But to suggest that democrates are more christian than republicans after the stain of murder is useless! The arguement is null in void. Both parties are corrupted.

 

[Biarien]

Supporting a party is NOT equivalent to supporting every stance that party takes.

Many problems arise when people equate voting democrat to supporting abortion, when in reality, that's fallicial reasoning.

 

[nephilimiyr]

Supporting a party is NOT equivalent to supporting every stance that party takes.

Many problems arise when people equate voting democrat to supporting abortion, when in reality, that's fallicial reasoning.

Sounds like a good excuse, I hope it works for you.