(no subject)
Some recent events and conversations have got me thinking. Whenever I start thinking I get in trouble. The following are the results of that.
I’m getting fed up with Christians, or more specifically, hypocritical Christians. Most of my reasons can be brought to a head surrounding a single issue, our recent Presidential election. According to post-election polls, most of those who voted for President Bush claimed their deciding issue was moral. Between people I have talked to, sermons I have heard, Christian radio broadcasts, and Christian publications, the main moral issues are homosexual marriage and abortion. Next in line is President Bush’s claim to be a Christian to pray and seek God. In the end I do not know President Bush or the state of his heart, so I will try not to speak on that one any further. I will note that Mr. Kerry is a Catholic, and therefore also claims to be a Christian. Why no one seems to believe his claim while supporting President Bush’s in droves, I will never know.
If you have other moral issues, please let me know. Perhaps you can spare me from the frustration and confusion I am experiencing. So far as I know, homosexual marriage and abortion are the big two.
Do you have any idea how foolish it is to base a Presidential vote on just one or two issues, let alone these two? The broad scope of the office of the President demands that we take into account more than one issue. What about economics? What about the war in Iraq? What about education? How does President Bush rate on these things? Does it matter, as long as he claims to be a Christian and takes the right stance on the ‘moral issues’?
Further, the President is in no position to affect the outcome of either of these ‘moral issues’. The legal battle over abortion has been, and will continue to be the courtroom. Roe v. Wade made laws against abortion unconstitutional and only a Supreme Court ruling or a Constitutional Amendment will overturn that. The battle over homosexual marriage is also something that is being fought in the voting booth.
The only control the President has over the outcome of either of these ‘moral issues’ is his power to nominate Supreme Court Justices. For him to use this power, a current Justice has to retire, die, or be impeached, none of which happen very often. Should one of these happen, the President then nominates someone for the position. This nomination then has to be approved by Congress. It was attempted in the 80’s to appoint several pro-life judges to overturn Roe v. Wade. The judges were appointed according to plan, but abortion on demand is still legal.
Do you now begin to see my problem?
Perhaps I’m wrong. It’s been known to happen from time to time. Perhaps these ‘moral issues’ aren’t legal issues but matters of personal character. I don’t think anyone would waste their time trying to defend Kerry as a man of integrity, but what about President Bush?
Well, lets look at things that matter to Christians. On matter of integrity that gets Christians riled is being lied to by their President. We had President Clinton impeached because he lied to us about his sexual relationship with an intern.
Unfortunately this can’t be the ‘moral issue’ that caused people to vote for Bush. President Bush told us that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction that he intended to use against the US. He also told us there were ties between Iraq and 9/11. Evidence has later surfaced that indicates that these statements were lies.
Where are the demands for integrity? Do Christians not care anymore if they are lied to?
Further, I have to question any man’s character who, through his decisions as President, makes himself and his friends more money than will have passed through my hands in a lifetime. Am I the only Christian who questions how President Bush can be expected to make clear decisions for the good of this country when his pocketbook also hangs in the balance?
Growing up I’ve heard how important it is to limit the Federal Government, to keep them out of our lives as much as possible. We cried socialism when Hillary wanted to reform health-care or whenever liberals want to expand social security or welfare.
On the other hand it is perfectly ok for Bush and his administration to push through the Patriot Act. I guess we don’t mind allowing the government to play Big Brother as long as those nasty homosexuals aren’t getting married.
Where is the integrity, both in our leaders and in us?
President Bush has been very quick to apply the word ‘evil’. He has taken both criticism and earned support this way. Most likely when I use it, I will only earn criticism.
I am convinced that amending the Constitution to prevent homosexual marriage to be one of the most evil legal acts done in this country.
This is both because of what it is doing, and because of the people who are supporting it. For years growing up I have heard from Christians and Christian groups that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were meant to limit government and protect the rights of the citizens. This amendment would be turning all of that back by being the first amendment to expand the power of the government and limit the rights of the citizens.
But Drew, if we don’t, those homosexuals will end civilization as we know it.
Or something to that affect.
While some homosexuals may be out to change the world, many of them are simply people trying to live their lives as best as they know how. I have friends who are homosexual, have had a steady relationship for many years, and there is no denying that they love each other and have built a life together. Why should the government care what happens in their bedroom? Surely civilization can get by while recognizing that they have built a life together.
But Drew, it will erode the family.
Wrong, the erosion of the family will lead to more homosexuals, not the other way round. I personally do not believe that someone is born a homosexual. Therefore, they have to come from somewhere. Perhaps these people are turning to homosexuality because they are trying to fulfill a need that is not being fulfilled within the traditional family.
But Drew, the Bible says it’s wrong.
The Bible also says that other religions are wrong, do you think it would be a good ideal to remove the freedom of religion clause?
Just because something is morally right or wrong does not mean that it would be morally right to make the law to reflect that.
If you are really concerned about saving civilization, strengthening the family, and saving the souls of homosexuals, you won’t try to outlaw them, but you’ll talk to them. Show them how God loves them, and has a plan for them. If we put half as much effort into reaching out to homosexuals as we do in fighting them, we wouldn’t have to amend the Constitution.
Jesus spent his time among the outcasts of society. We spend our time trying to pass laws against them.
Jesus said the world would know we were His disciples because of our love. Christians are known for their hate. Did Jesus lie?