- Terrorist strikes on four American cities.
- Gay marriage in every state.
- Nationalized health care with long lines for surgery and no access to hospitals for people over 80.
- Churches have no freedom to refuse to allow their buildings to be used for wedding ceremonies for homosexual couples
- Tens of thousands of young churches suddenly had no place to meet when the Supreme Court ruled that public schools in all 50 states had to stop allowing churches to rent their facilities
- The phrase “Under God” as part of the Pledge of Allegiance has been found unconstitutional
- Television programs at all hours of the day contain explicit portrayals of sexual acts
- Gas costs more than $7 per gallon
You get the idea. The worst for me was the part where they say that since many "young evangelical Christians" are supporting Obama, they are no longer "real Christians." So, let me get this straight. Instead of talking about reality and facts as a way of discussing truth, you're going to use fictional scenarios to argue your side? On top of that, there is a new test as to whether someone is a Christian - not faith and trust in the saving grace of the blood of Jesus. Oh, no. Now it's who you vote for that saves you.
Can you tell that this bothers me? And I'll tell you why. Not because of the positions they hold. In fact, I agree with their perspective more than Obama's on most issues. But, as you can clearly see in this letter, whenever Christian organizations and churches make political campaigns and issues our primary motivation, we almost always lose our one and only purpose - the gospel of Jesus Christ. And last time I checked, that was the power of God that leads to salvation. (Seems like I read that somewhere) The gospel of Jesus, the hope of the cross, the grace of God...isn't that what changes hearts and minds and brings about the kingdom of heaven here on earth? I think I'd rather stay focused on that instead of political ghost stories. We'll leave that stuff to the trick or treaters.
3 comments:
Preach it brother!
I believe this is part of the reason younger evangelical's are running away from the positions of the religious right. They are tired of the "demonizing" that is happening. Great post Jason.
While i believe that as Christians our faith should influence our vote, i also hold the belief that it is dangerous when a Church endorses a candidate. When i hear these types of things it saddens me. I never grew up in the Church, and most of my "churched" life has been at CCC so i believe that i have been spared some of the baggage that so many people carry from previous church experiences. One thing i have learned from CCC is that Church and Christianity is about inclusiveness. When we begin to draw lines in the sand politically we should also expect a divide in the Church. While there is one candidate that I prefer to win tomorrow i will not think it will be the end of the world if the other wins. Life will go on. But the divide that has been and is being created in our Churches will remain. And that i believe is the saddest part.
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