Why is being a Christian so linked to a political view?

[DarkProphet]

I realize that not all Christians are like this but when I hear a youth minister saying things like "environmentalists are cancer" or "gays are evil" to a group of 9-14 year olds it makes me cringe. I suppose my question is why is this sort of linking between politics and religion allowed?

 

[childofGod31]

Not all who profess Jesus' name (or call themselves Christians) really are such. So even though some things are not allowed, some people/pastors/churches still do them.

 

[MikeMcK]

I realize that not all Christians are like this but when I hear a youth minister saying things like "environmentalists are cancer" or "gays are evil" to a group of 9-14 year olds it makes me cringe.

Sounds like a problem with the youth minister, not with Christianity.

For the record, I wandered blindly into an enviromental rally this weekend in Boston. They weren't cancer, but they sure were silly.

I suppose my question is why is this sort of linking between politics and religion allowed?

What the person in your example said is wrong. However, there is nothing wrong with linking politics and religion, as our religion is to inform everything we do.

I think it's ironic that anytime a Christian says that homosexuality or killing innocent little unborn children is wrong, then the left comes out of the woodwork to say that it's wrong to mix politics and religion.

But they'll never say that abolitionists shouldn't have mixed their religion with politics, or that those who birthed the Civil Rights Movement shouldn't have mixed their politics with religion.

 

[DarkProphet]

For the record, I wandered blindly into an enviromental rally this weekend in Boston. They weren't cancer, but they sure were silly.

Yeah, "Save the Earth" is a silly slogan. The Earth will be fine no matter what we do. It should be "Save Humanity".

But they'll never say that abolitionists shouldn't have mixed their religion with politics, or that those who birthed the Civil Rights Movement shouldn't have mixed their politics with religion.

Actually slavery is not condemned in the Bible, only regulated, so slavers were probably the ones quoting it on that one.

What the person in your example said is wrong. However, there is nothing wrong with linking politics and religion, as our religion is to inform everything we do.

I suppose the problem is that if you accept religion you must accept the political view attached to it. To me that is bad because that puts power into the hands of the people who interpret how the Bible applies to politics rather then to individuals.

 

[ChaoticPrecision]

I would like to respond, but I am not allowed.

 

[childofGod31]

I guess I am not sure what you mean about belonging or subscribing to a political view?

You read your Bible, you follow what it says. You don't listen to other people if what they say disagrees with the Bible. What else is there?

 

[Digit]

I realize that not all Christians are like this but when I hear a youth minister saying things like "environmentalists are cancer" or "gays are evil" to a group of 9-14 year olds it makes me cringe. I suppose my question is why is this sort of linking between politics and religion allowed?

I think because Christianty affects the 10 doctrines which each worldview shares. I can't remember them all, but they are things like morality, ethics, philosphy, legality and so on.

As such, being a Christian, has many common links with a political view, and is a worldview.

Digit

 

[ebia]

I realize that not all Christians are like this but when I hear a youth minister saying things like "environmentalists are cancer" or "gays are evil" to a group of 9-14 year olds it makes me cringe. I suppose my question is why is this sort of linking between politics and religion allowed?

Allowed by whom?

One's faith must inform one's politics - the Christian faith isn't (primarily) about a personal set of beliefs, or a"personal relationship with God", it's primarily about being the agents of God's kingdom in the world.

On the other hand, both the above quotes would be extremly dumb (not to mention incorrect) things to say.

 

[MikeMcK]

Actually slavery is not condemned in the Bible, only regulated, so slavers were probably the ones quoting it on that one.

Then you've never studied history.

The slavery practiced in the Bible was dramatically different than that practiced in North America. It's a common misconception of those who don't study the Bible to compare the two, but to do so is wildly innaccurate, both Biblically and historically.

The abolitionists were Quakers and Anabaptists who understood the difference between the indenture slavery practiced in the Bible and the chattel slavery practiced in North America.

They viewed the abolition of chattel slavery as a holy mission and based in very much on the scriptures.

I suppose the problem is that if you accept religion you must accept the political view attached to it. To me that is bad because that puts power into the hands of the people who interpret how the Bible applies to politics rather then to individuals.

But the Bible does apply to politics. It does apply to indivuals. The two are not mutually exclusive.

The Bible is to inform everything that we do.

Like I said, nobody ever says that applying the Bible to politics is a bad thing when it comes to things like abolition, civil rights, feeding the poor, etc. Only when it speaks out against things that they're in favor of.

 

[salida]

The party I choose one who reflects the Bible the most; which is more challenging the older I get. Since I hate the work of abortion the "most" - I will vote for the party who is against it the most. I choose the issue that concerns me the most and go from there.

 

[Criada]

I suppose the problem is that if you accept religion you must accept the political view attached to it. To me that is bad because that puts power into the hands of the people who interpret how the Bible applies to politics rather then to individuals.

I totally agree!
But who says you "must"?
And what do you mean by "religion"?
The bible says you should accept Jesus - that's the spiritual bit.
Politics is ( or should be ) informed by the head as well as the heart.
Many sicere Christians hold totally opposing political views - and unless God runs for office, no politician will ever be fully right!
Following Jesus is the only essential!

 

[Deren]

I realize that not all Christians are like this but when I hear a youth minister saying things like "environmentalists are cancer" or "gays are evil" to a group of 9-14 year olds it makes me cringe. I suppose my question is why is this sort of linking between politics and religion allowed?

IMO, and I'm definitely not political, except when doing my civic duty to vote, I think it is an indication of just how weak Christians have become in their knowledge of God and His Book, and have thus become so government-dependant that they think that if they can just control the government, then they can control everything else in society. And while I generally vote Republican, I think a few Christians have seen their reliance upon politics as the panacea blow up in their faces, and they've found out that just about as many Republican representatives are just as corrupt as many of the Democrats.

 

[Merlin]

Most politics is based on ones outlook on life, which is often rooted in religion.

 

[Deren]

Most politics is based on ones outlook on life, which is often rooted in politics.

Huh?