politics...ugh!

This is definitely not a political blog.

I think that if you have read this blog at any time in the past, you will notice that I have not at anytime tried to express my own political opinions. I have chosen to keep silent about it, but with the upcoming election, I think that I am going to take a poke at it.

First of all, I am not a political person. I just isn't my cup-o-tea. I can't help it, I just don't find politics to be an overly interesting topic.

Secondly, it doesn't matter that much to me. I enjoy my freedoms in this country and appreciate them, but that has no bearing on how I am going to live my life or make my decisions. If tomorrow I lost all of my freedoms, I would still be free in Christ, because "... if the Son has set you free, then you will be free indeed!"

Thirdly, my citizenship is in heaven. And even though some would consider this to be figurative, I take it to be a reality. I am just passing through this country.

So politics just aren't a regular topic of my conversation.

But one of my favorite blogs, that I read on a daily basis, inadvertently motivated me to consider my own political stand with this post. If you go there you can read my comments and the comments of some others who were also motivated to speak on the subject.

Since I talked about it there, I thought that I would throw out my comments here and see what everybody thinks.

I almost hesitate saying this, because people on the web seem to be the most critical people, but here goes...

I simply can't vote for someone who is pro-choice. I know that most people think that is such a minor issue, but to me it is the most important of the issues. There aren't many things on this earth that are worse than abortion.

What I really find amazing is the number of people who would claim the Christian Faith as their own, yet still say that it is OK to kill an unborn child. Amazing.

Like I said, I know that most people will say that this is not the main issue, but I consider this a defining issue. Most of us are fools if we think that we know as much as Bush or Kerry when it comes to running the govt. I have never tried to run a govt., so on some of the issues, I have opinions, but I do know that it is wrong to kill innocent children. I know that there are thousands of women across this nation that have listened to the lie that it was OK, and now they are trying to survive the aftermath of such a decision. AND if I have to chose which man is going to be responsible for the govt. that I am under, that I have to Biblically submit to, I hope to get a man that will stand firm on an issue, no ...on a moral principle.

I am sure that I am going to get comments about how wrong I am to say such a thing, and quite frankly, that's OK. (this isn't my blog anyway...Just thought that I would put in my two cents)

The first response back said:

Thanks for standing by your convictions, always an admirable attribute. I to cannot fathom the act of abortion and could never support such thing. However, politically speaking, it's a moot point. Here is why. . . just as many abortions can and do occur during a "pro-life" administration as that of a "pro-choice" administration.

It has always baffled me and angered me (this is not directed to you Matt) that "Christians" stand on the abortion issue alone when exercising political rights. We are called to be our brothers' keeper; to care for those that are in need. Is this limited to unborn children, absolutely not. Many "pro-life" Christians could care less about the well being of pregnant woman, just that her fetus lives. They don't offer her any solutions, compassion, or help. They could care less about the homeless guy they rush past and ignore his pleas for help, or the black kid that is actually more depressed than violent, or the homosexual that really does not "deserve" to die. In a nutshell, Republicans oppose abortion and social support for those in need. Democrats support abortion and social support for those in need. Pick a side. It's not fair, but it is what it is. Since this issue is a moot point politically speaking, wouldn't it would make more since to focus on actual modern day Biblical issues and needs ?

Let me leave on this note. This is how I judge our current president and the gentleman wanting replace him:

Mathew 7

15"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character:

·Love
·Joy
·Peace
·Patience
·Kindness
·Goodness
·Faithfulness
·Gentleness
·Self-control

21"Knowing the correct password saying 'Master, Master,' for instance isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience, doing what my Father wills. 22I can see it now at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' 23And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

And since I wasn't for sure if he had actually understood my point, I responded again by saying:

Actually the point that I was trying to make is that I can't trust that a politician can make good decisions in other "issues" if he can't see (and state openly) that abortion is wrong.

As far as offering help and solutions, that is the responsibility of the church not the duty of the government. In fact, if you want my opinion (which you probably don't), I don't want a government of godless men offering solutions to mothers.

And I can't speak for the "Christians" that you know, (I know that this world is full of hypocritical people) but most of the Christians that I am around on a weekly basis work very hard at offering as much help, support, and Biblical counsel as they can. And it doesn't come in the form of an organization or committee, it comes in the form of people helping and loving other people.

But like I said before, my only point is that, if a man doesn't say that it is wrong to kill, then I don't want him making decisions about war or economics or anything else for that matter. And NO, I am not foolish enough to think that America will ever get to the point where abortions aren't taking place, and NO I don't think that they will even get any less just because of a president, that wasn't what I was saying. My point is just that the issue of abortion, for me, is a sign of some level of morality.

If all of the other levels of morality are gone, at least he knows that it is wrong to kill.

Now, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Everybody and their brother has something to say about what the president should do or be like, but I am not foolish enough to think that I could know all of the ins and outs of public office. So this isn't about whether or not abortion will be banned or not, because let's face it, abortions will continue to take place in this country no matter what law is passed.

So I am not saying vote for Bush because I think that abortion laws are going to get changed (though I hope that they do). I am saying vote for a man who is going to say that it is wrong to kill. And will continue to say that even if it is unpopular. I am saying don't vote for Kerry because he says that even though life begins at conception, abortion should still be allowed.

I guess that the really hard thing to believe is that any Christian would place this issue second to any of the others. Not out of a desire to change the law, but out of a desire to support morality.