SOMETIMES I WONDER if the only thing that makes someone a Christian is that they believe there’s a Jesus out their somewhere.
- They don’t act like him.
- They don’t seem to follow his teachings.
- And their general demeanor hints that they suffer from a chronic bowel obstruction.
There are a lot of social issues being discussed by politicians during this presidential election year – when the politicians aren’t telling us how great they are and how miserable all of the other candidates are.
When I look at many of the social issues, I find it tough to understand why some Christians do not seem to vote their Christian principles.
It doesn’t seem as though their Christianity makes a difference in the way they behave.
- Guns. Jesus was a pacifist – a turn the other cheek sort of a guy. Yet many Christians get doggone militant about the right to carry concealed weapons wherever they happy well please – without training or a license (as in my home state, God help us). What is the Christian principle that would allow someone to embrace that kind of position?
- Vitriolic politicians. Jesus treated people respectfully – with the exception of religious hypocrites. Yet many Christians are lobbying for a presidential candidate who is viciously mean-spirited, hypersensitive to criticism, and notoriously vindictive. What Christian principal would lead a person of faith to a nasty soul like that?
- Refugees. Jesus taught his followers to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit those in prison. Where do Christians get the idea that it’s okay to turn away war refugees? I asked about that in recent blog articles and during my Bible study. It was a simple question: What’s the Christian principle that justifies that?
I got a lot of frustrated and angry responses from people who identify themselves as Christians. I even got one death threat. But I did not get a Christian principle.
I understand the secular values that would justify any one of those three.
We’re afraid, so we carry a gun. Even though more guns mean more bullets and more bullets mean more blood. An unarmed person who gets mad might throw a punch. But an armed person who gets mad could do much more. Even by secular values, the math doesn’t add up. Nor does the theology. Not for a Christian.
We’re angry at the government. And it’s possibly because we get our news from broadcast TV which hypes the fear factor to feed ratings. My undergraduate degree is in news journalism, and I can tell you I do not get my daily news from the TV. Try the app for the Associated Press or Reuters, for a level-headed change of pace. And mute all political ads. They effectively brainwash us with half-truths and lies; poison to the brain and the soul.
We’re afraid of getting blown up. We figure that terrorists might infiltrate our country under the guise of a refugee. So instead of letting anyone in, we turn down all 6 million souls – the same number of people killed in the Holocaust.
I understand the fear and the anger. I don’t understand why Christians would let the fear and the anger overrule their faith and drive their actions.
It doesn’t seem Christian.
Steve, I love and respect you for your open heart and boldness.
But I sure don’t envy you the hate mail you’re going get for this column!
God bless.
Thanks Steve. I try to keep most of these articles as reports instead of opinion pieces. But once in a while I feel compelled to say something that seems obvious, but overlooked by too many.
Stephen, you hit the nail on the head! As a Christian, and I pray one who is trusting and following Christ for my Salvation, I cannot and will not support anything that is unseemly, ungodly, hateful, and the spirit of this fallen world! I am an angry man and despise the policies of this present administration, but I will not be led down the Primrose path that many Evangelicals are heading to by even support something that is flagrantly unseemly! I shall not vote for any candidate this year in any Party and my hope will be in the Lord!
Thanks Wayne. The country needs a high voter turnout, it looks like. At least pick the least offensive.
Truly, this country needs better candidates to choose from. And a better system for funding elections so people other than the rich can run.
Wow, spot on! This is exactly the way I’ve been feeling and the words I’ve been speaking to whoever will listen! I understand how people without Christ could feel these ways, but I irritated that some Christians say these views are supported by the Bible. Where?!? They never answer that question!
Thanks David. I’ve noticed that the inability of Christians to answer the question you asked only seems to fuel their anger and frustration. Still, we need to hold them accountable by at least asking the question.
Yep, you’ll get death threats for this one. You had better start carrying a gun! To be on the safe side, make it an assault rifle!
OMG!!! Who will cast the first stone! In this world we live today the behavior of human kind. What ever happened to the love and peace and heart of this dreadful world we live In! The law I follow Is In our almighty GOD! Why fear? If all we can trust In Is just that. He never will fail us but, a human being will. Steve do not fear the threats you follow your heart. And the rest shall be In his holy name. Victory!