The New Normal - A Child Out of Wedlock

[Aquila]

Legislation will either be righteous or unrighteous. A government by the people for the people will reflect the righteousness or unrighteous of the people. Society is programming our children to embrace godlessness and perversion...and reject the faith and core religious teachings of their fathers and mothers.

The church must begin to believe again.

[Aquila]

Father, we pray for a Reformation.

Isaiah 61:11 ESV
For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

That's why I'm not a big fan of Christians being political activists. While I do believe that we should do our best to protect society as a whole from impinging evils, legislating righteousness will not actually bring about righteousness, and often has the opposite effect. People who try to impose righteousness upon themselves without the spirit of God are fighting a losing battle with their own humanity.

Far too often, the Christian who involves himself deeply in politics becomes Peter with a maiming sword rather than a positive, persuasive voice in a dark world.

I understand what you are saying but I think it is all in how you go about it. If you have an unchristian attitude in political activism then it is in vain and counter productive.

However if you advocate for good policies, legislation, and canidates who support the same in the right manner I believe you are fulfilling your Christian duty to do what you can to make things the best they can be.

For example if we don't stand up for freedom of religion we will have no one to blame but ourselves when the government starts controlling our churches by limiting freedom of speech there ,etc. We just have to do it in the right way!

[Truthseeker]

I would still prefer to live under gov that has some morals and thought for right living.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by CC1

I understand what you are saying but I think it is all in how you go about it. If you have an unchristian attitude in political activism then it is in vain and counter productive.

However if you advocate for good policies, legislation, and canidates who support the same in the right manner I believe you are fulfilling your Christian duty to do what you can to make things the best they can be.

For example if we don't stand up for freedom of religion we will have no one to blame but ourselves when the government starts controlling our churches by limiting freedom of speech there ,etc. We just have to do it in the right way!

Agree! Like all things, it's about the heart.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by CC1

I understand what you are saying but I think it is all in how you go about it. If you have an unchristian attitude in political activism then it is in vain and counter productive.

However if you advocate for good policies, legislation, and canidates who support the same in the right manner I believe you are fulfilling your Christian duty to do what you can to make things the best they can be.

For example if we don't stand up for freedom of religion we will have no one to blame but ourselves when the government starts controlling our churches by limiting freedom of speech there ,etc. We just have to do it in the right way!

I agree with you on principle. A friend of mine posted this video link, which is well worth watching:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI

However, in my experience, even with good intentions we are ultimately still human, and often our best intentions do more harm than good.

For the record, I don't recall any scripture that makes it our Christian duty to be involved in politics. These are the things I believe we should focus on:

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

and

Acts 2:40-47 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers....they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

In direct regard to politics and government, this is the passage I believe we should live by, to the best of our ability:

Romans 13:1-7

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honor.

Bottom Line: As citizens we have certain obligations, but as Christians we have greater obligations. When the two conflict, the principles of Christianity need to win out. Our job is to change the world one person at a time from the inside out. Environmental changes are important, but they pale in comparison.

[Aquila]

I believe our job is to affect society in any way possible except violence. Waging war against blatant evil, Hitler for example, the only debatable exception.

[Aquila]

Society has really suffered as a result of the church retreating into a spiritual malaise.

[Aquila]

America used to be a beacon of Christian culture. This was the source of our former glory.

Proverbs 14:34 ESV
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 29:2 ESV
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

[Sherri]

This new mindset makes it hard for couples like my daughter and husband, who are trying to adopt. It's just so common now for unwed mothers to keep their babies, even if they're very young. It's the cool thing to do now.