Legislating Morality?

[Aquila]

Laws can only protect life, liberty and property.

Rape is a threat to the life and liberty of a woman, therefore law is within it's bounds to act on the victim's behalf.

Abortion is more difficult. The life and liberty of an individual woman regarding her own person precludes the idea that the government can seize her body and force her to give birth against her will. Therefore the right to an abortion is recognized. However, with such a right comes immense moral responsibility. Sadly many women abuse this right. They will answer to God and be given the severest of punishments under the fearsome wrath of God. We, the Church, have to warn of this grave evil and reach out to women in need of help and women who need their bloody hands cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

As for gay marriage; the government's commitment to protect life, liberty, and property requires that in order to ban gay marriage it be successfully proven that gay marriage endangers the life, liberty, and/or property of others. If it cannot be proven that gay marriage endangers the life, liberty, and/or property of other free citizens the government will take the course that the right to individual liberty precludes banning gay marriage. Sadly this will allow gays to marry. However, God's truth never changes. The Church must continue to preach against such sinful unions and lifestyles, praying for the healing and deliverance of those bound by homosexual infirmity.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

No, and no. No, of course, rape should not be legalized. And, no I didn't miss the point. We should speak up, we should vote... and laws should be enacted to affect the moral climate of this country and others. However, all the laws in the land won't change whats in a persons hearts. Gay marriages. Yes, they should be illegal.... and we should do all we can to ensure that it stays that way. But gays are still gonna do what gays do. Abortion? Yes, while Roe v Wade is being whittled down to nothingness, we should speak our piece in the ballot box. But, sadly, it won't stop the killing of the innocent.

Thats the problem with living in a free society. People don't know what it means to be free. Freedom isn't the ability to do what I wanna do when and how I wanna do it. Its about doing the right thing. Freedom is life...liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all...not just for a select few.

I actually said that in my first post. Making moral laws don't make everyone moral. That is not why we have these laws in the first place.

There is still gonna be rape and murder but it would be insane NOT to have laws against these. We are a Republic. Having Laws are very important to our existance as a nation. This is why so many courts had (past tense) and as well our Legislature, images of the 10 commandments.

[Aquila]

I met a man on a flight out of San Antonio. I was reading Verbal Bean's book on prayer and he just asked me what I was reading. I told him about the book and the author and he said, "So, you're a Christian?" And I said yes. We talked about the Lord for a while and were making some headway. But then he said, "One thing I don't understand about Christians today. You're all Republican. I'm not a Republican and never will be." From that it was hard to get past discussing the political issues to focus on the gospel. The world doesn't see us as bearers of a spiritual message anymore. They see us as right wing political activists.

When we engage in this political war we redifine the conversation with this world. It becomes about money and power...not the gospel. Christianity becomes more about activism and less and less about evangelism. I've been out with brethren after church and the entire discussion be centered on politics and those "Dirty-rat Democrats". It's gotten to the point where I'd rather go home and pray and spend some time reading the Word than fellowship the brethren.

The more we turn our attention to the less focused on the gospel we become. My philosophy is that these are just two earthly parties. Neither party is more moral or less moral than the other and Christians should participate on every level in each party.

[DividedThigh]

fact is that all christians arent republicans, many , even apostolics are dems, dt