Thread: Politics and Religion

Don't these two things conflict? How can you claim to be a Christian, yet not help the needy? How can you claim to be a Christian yet give authorization for war and killings of other people. How can you claim to be a Christian yet not allow religion in schools? I know there are many more examples, but can anyone explain any of these to me? In the Heaven that I thought I was going to are we not supposed to spread the word of God? I don't know, I am a bit lost about all this, I just don't understand how all those politicians claim to be Christians and yet do so many things that, at leats on the surface, appear to be un-Christian like.

The religion is just used to make religious people believe whatever the leaders like by focusing on certain issues, such as gay rights and abortion, while ignoring other "problematic" religious views such as helping the poor and respect for other people.

Religion has much less then you would think about religious voters.

The key word here is claim. They are not true Christians.

So if they claim to be a Christian then if we are being bombed or attacked then they should look the other way right? No reason ever to defend ourselves or ever go to war, right? Allow Religion in school, you mean a teacher teaching it? No way! But I do believe in the students having freedom of speech and Religion (whatever it may be) in school.

This all wasn't any problem at all untill Ronald Reagan let the Moral Majority into the Executive Branch in the 80's. This meant Nancy Reagan, Pat Robertson, Jerry Fallwell, and Jim and Tammy Baker were given the Presidential seal of approval as they all decided for us what our Family Values are and Nancy Reagan managed the "Just say no". anti-drug movement. Libertarians should hate Reagan and I don't understand why they don't. Short memories perhaps.

Ford, Nixon, Goldwater, Eisenhower.....none of these Republicans let Religion infiltrate our lives via the Government. Goldwater, the greatest fiscal Conservative Republican ever was very vocal about how religion needs to stay OUT of politics.

History is repleat with Religious organizations trying to jump into politics, then telling everybody in the land the one right way to live. Then everyone's choices and freedom is gone. Nothing new.

Why is Church on Sunday never enough? They always try to expand into Governments, Schools, when they have the undivided attention of parishners ALL DAY SUNDAY. If Your message isn't inspirational enough to distribute on Sunday, quit invading the rest of the week which is reserved for Freedom of this and that.

Originally Posted by Goldwater

This all wasn't any problem at all untill Ronald Reagan let the Moral Majority into the Executive Branch in the 80's. This meant Nancy Reagan, Pat Robertson, Jerry Fallwell, and Jim and Tammy Baker were given the Presidential seal of approval as they all decided for us what our Family Values are and Nancy Reagan managed the "Just say no". anti-drug movement. Libertarians should hate Reagan and I don't understand why they don't. Short memories perhaps.

Ford, Nixon, Goldwater, Eisenhower.....none of these Republicans let Religion infiltrate our lives via the Government. Goldwater, the greatest fiscal Conservative Republican ever was very vocal about how religion needs to stay OUT of politics.

I agree. As for the Reagan comment, I am too young to really know about him.

History is repleat with Religious organizations trying to jump into politics, then telling everybody in the land the one right way to live. Then everyone's choices and freedom is gone. Nothing new.

This is something that I will never understand, and I am Christian. I would be offended if someone else tried to tell me that their way was the right way, and that what I believed was wrong. It is this hypocrisy of the religious fundamentalists that baffles me. There really is no right or wrong religious belief per se. Does it really matter which, if any, religion or faith we practice if we are not harming others?

Why is Church on Sunday never enough? They always try to expand into Governments, Schools, when they have the undivided attention of parishners ALL DAY SUNDAY. If Your message isn't inspirational enough to distribute on Sunday, quit invading the rest of the week which is reserved for Freedom of this and that.

Maybe they believe it is their duty to save everyone?

[quote=freecell;607594]

So if they claim to be a Christian then if we are being bombed or attacked then they should look the other way right? No reason ever to defend ourselves or ever go to war, right?

NO, I certainly believe we should be able to defend ourselves. I am not sure we have done that in our recent future. I think there are answers other than war, though, that are overlooked.

Allow Religion in school, you mean a teacher teaching it?

No, I wouldn't want that. I mean being able to pray in class, being able to pray publicly before a football game. Being able to say Christmas party, etc...

[quote=Goldwater;607599]

History is repleat with Religious organizations trying to jump into politics, then telling everybody in the land the one right way to live. Then everyone's choices and freedom is gone. Nothing new.

Whatever happened to church's and such just praying for our leaders and for the choices they make? It is ridiculous to me that church leaders beleive, even for a second, that their message belongs in politics. It seems so hypocritical to me. And I do know that it is nothing new, but that don't make it right.

Why is Church on Sunday never enough? They always try to expand into Governments, Schools, when they have the undivided attention of parishners ALL DAY SUNDAY. If Your message isn't inspirational enough to distribute on Sunday, quit invading the rest of the week which is reserved for Freedom of this and that.

Ha ha...the church I used to go to got two times on Sunday, and Wednesday evening, and I agree. I get the sermon one or two days and I live it the rest of the week. I don't need it preached to me constantly.

[quote=metheron;607812]

Originally Posted by freecell

NO, I certainly believe we should be able to defend ourselves. I am not sure we have done that in our recent future. I think there are answers other than war, though, that are overlooked.




No, I wouldn't want that. I mean being able to pray in class, being able to pray publicly before a football game. Being able to say Christmas party, etc...

Then I would be agreeing with you.

Originally Posted by metheron

Don't these two things conflict? How can you claim to be a Christian, yet not help the needy? How can you claim to be a Christian yet give authorization for war and killings of other people. How can you claim to be a Christian yet not allow religion in schools? I know there are many more examples, but can anyone explain any of these to me? In the Heaven that I thought I was going to are we not supposed to spread the word of God? I don't know, I am a bit lost about all this, I just don't understand how all those politicians claim to be Christians and yet do so many things that, at leats on the surface, appear to be un-Christian like.

How can a politician claim to be a Christian and not help the needy?

I don't think anyone can claim to be a Christian and not want to help. Perhps this politician gives generously from his own funds. Perhaps he does influence the country as best he can to help the needy just not the same way you would do it. or perhaps he is not a Christian.

How can a politician claim to be a Christian and authorize war?

Just wars are consistent with Christianity. The alternative is to stand by and permit injustice to continue. A just war is frequently an example of the first point you made - helping he needy.

How can a politician claim to be a Christian and not permit teachers to advocate religion?

Students and people who do not represent the federal government have every right and expectation to advocate whatever they believe. The premise that the federal government should not be entangled with religion is more important than an individuals actions when they represent the federal government.