I have often heard it said "Never argue politics or religion".
Here I am discussing both politics and religion. Key word here is "discussing"; this is not arguing.
Arguments thrive when facts are scarce.
I am not a religious scholar; far from it! I suspect it would be difficult
for most people to declare themselves a religious scholar.
I am a Senior Citizen and
most of the people I have known, while I was growing up, were Christians of one type or another. Everyone just knew
this because people would mention, in casual conversation, they went to church last Sunday or their church was
holding one kind of fund raiser or another.
Some would mention their pastor or minister (you now knew they were Protestant
of one kind or another) or their priest (they are probably Catholic) or their rabbi (Jewish) or their Muezzin (Muslim).
This was nice. This was friendly. This was the normal America.
These people all had opinions,
thoughts, and feelings about their religion and beliefs. They would gladly share them with you, if you asked.
However, if you did not ask, normally nothing was said.
These same people had their own opinions, thoughts, and feelings about their politics.
On the subject of politics, they were more likely to express their opinions. It was always in a sober, friendly,
and non-combative way.
They pretty much adhered to "judge not lest ye be judged".(Luke
6:37; Luke 6:41; Romans 14:10; Romans 14:13)
Small changes began to occur. I don't know if anyone could have foreseen
the changes that would actually evolve. Also, it is difficult to define the basis of these changes.
Were they social or religious?
Maybe social in the beginning but
soon became more religious than social.
Let us take a quick look at the
history.
First, in 1948 the Dixiecrats appeared.
This was a short lived segregationist, populist, socially conservative splinter party of the Democratic Party. It did
not last long and was ineffective.
In the 1960's Barry Goldwater's
political campaign draws much attention from conservative leaders. A number of prominent former Dixiecrats, including Strom
Thurmond and Jessie Helms, eventually would switch to the Republican Party.
In 1964 the Civil Rights Act prompts the defection of many Southern Democrats
from the Democratic Party.
In 1972, Richard Nixon introduced
his ‘Southern Strategy' as part of his political campaign. This was basically the exploitation of racial anxiety
among white voters in the south, eventually leading to a realignment of the South with the Republican Party.
In 1973 Roe vs. Wade set off a wave of action that continues today.
The Christian right started to become more vocal and organized; it also brings traditional Roman Catholics and evangelical
Protestants to the same side of a visceral issue.
Likewise, liberals of both of these historical communions moved to the opposite
side of the issue. Church affiliation ceases to be a concern as Catholic and Protestant voters began supporting each
other on the basis of essential similarities in ideology. Suddenly, the church had entered politics with a vengeance!
Opportunity now existed for the generation of many organized groups based on religion and
ideology. A quick summary of these organizations are as follows:
1974 Robert Grant founds the American Christian Cause as an effort to institutionalize the Christian Right as a politically active social
movement.
Late 1970s The New Religious Right becomes much more involved in politics and
media.
1979 Jerry Falwell founds the Moral
Majority which is often said to be the beginning of the New Christian Right
April 29, 1980 Washington for Jesus founded by John Giminez, the pastor
of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Dr. William Bright, Benson Idahosa from Africa,
and many other high-profile Christians marched on Washington DC, in an effort to support Ronald Reagan's presidential run.
This event provides a place for the Christian
Right to outline many of their beliefs in speeches and statements
1981 Ronald Reagan becomes president, serving two presidential terms (1981-1989).
Republicans capture the Senate for the first time since 1952.
April 30, 1987 Pat Robertson founds the Christian Coalition, which later becomes
the most prominent voice in the Christian Right
1992 The Christian Coalition produces voter guides and distributes them to conservative
Christian churches
2001 George W. Bush becomes president
as a result of overwhelming support from white evangelical voters supportive of the GOP addition of anti-gay marriage ballot
initiatives. Significant amounts of “politicking from the pulpit” also occurred.
2004 Randy Brinson founds Redeem the Vote as an evangelical counterpart
to Rock the Vote as the Christian Right begins to take a stand on new issues
During this same extended period
(1970 to now) the mega church was born. Joel Osteen draws the largest weekly church crowd of 30,000. Rick Warren
counsels pastors and political leaders in many countries; Bill Hybels's Willow Creek Association mentors more than 11,000
churches.
There are now at least 1,210 American
mega churches with an average of 3,612 in attendance every week. That is a total of 4,370,520 per week who attend these
mega churches; a very formidable number indeed.
None of these organizations, associations, or churches represents a problem! The problem arrives when
their scope moves beyond their individual beliefs and they begin to use the power
of government in an attempt to force others to do, act, or believe as they do!
This forcing of religious beliefs, into our government and our law, is the beginning
of a Theocracy. It will, soon enough, look like what could be called the "American Taliban". If this
sounds too harsh, I am sorry but facts are facts!
When was the word "Muslim"
changed to mean "enemy"? I often see the word Muslim used in this context. Last I knew, a Muslim was
an adherent of Islam which is the religion articulated by the Qur’an. Islam, as a religion is just
as valid as your religion and on a world basis, almost as large.
I am
getting more concerned about this particular issue every day! The recent mass murder at Ft Hood was absolutely
terrible. It was committed by an American Army Major who also happens to be Muslim. To
listen to many of the people in the media, the next time you see a Muslim you had better beware! Concerns
are being expressed regarding other Muslims in the military, etc.
The recent attempted terrorist act, at the Detroit Airport, was also initiated
by a young man following the distorted muslim beliefs. Please remember, it was his father, who
is also a muslim, who informed the American Embassy of the danger his son might represent.
We do not need another Inquisition!
My problem is this.
When the Washington snipers were
in action (the leader was recently put to death) I did not hear a word about them being Christian. The
same with the Virginia Tech killings of 32 people by a young Korean student. He was raised in the Christian
church. Then there was Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, Jefferey Dahmer, etc.
There have been many serious mass murders
but the religion of the perpetrator is seldom mentioned or considered.
Our
arrogance and constant habit of attacking other major cultures and religions is dangerous!
People should realize that whenever a much stronger group threatens a smaller
group, the smaller group will usually turn to terror tactics. That is the only weapon they have against
a much stronger enemy.
We need to be far more considerate of other cultures and religions. To do otherwise
will simply create more terrorists and terror attacks.
When a country has rules regarding evangelism and attempting to convert their populations to a religion, other
than their own, we need to respect those rules. It is just plain stupid to send missionaries into the middle
of a Theocracy and then get surprised when they are arrested.
It is even worse to then expect our government to sanction this action and then
attempt to get the people rescued.
That action of getting our government involved in your problem
is now interfering with my life and I object to that. That is not how I want my taxes used.
We are now hearing of some serious problems in Uganda associated with new laws to execute people who
are gay; not because they did anything but because they are gay.
Uganda
has been the target of major efforts and funding by the Christian Right in their attempt both help the people but also
to bring evangelical Christianity to them. Did the latter part of that cause or initiate the new
laws?
To help gain a perspective of religions around the world, I have included a list reflecting the world
population associated with each major religion.
Christianity:
2.1 billion;
Islam:
1.5 billion
Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist:
1.1billion
Hinduism:
900 million
Chinese
traditional religion: 394 million
Buddhism:
376 million
Primal-indigenous:
300 million
African
Traditional: 100 million
All
others: 23 million
Some Christian leaders say the problem is Roe vs. Wade. They say this is legislating
abortion. That is a deliberate distortion of the legislation and its purpose. This is once again
an attempt to force a certain belief on other people.
Roe vs. Wade is not legislating abortion; it is providing the right to choose to those who do not share the same ideology!
The sole purpose of this legislation is to prevent one group's ideology from being
forced on to another group which does not share the same ideology.
Would
the next ideology force women to wear black robes or burkhas? Would another ideology or religion generate harsh rules for
other women, men, and children?
There is really only one
way to handle this. It is quite simple. If your religion or beliefs forbid a particular action or activity, then
just don't do it! Do
not commit those sins or any others your faith does not condone!
Is that so hard?
If other
people choose to do something or take some kind of action that is legal, and does not infringe on your rights, it seems it
is their business. That is what a secular country (separation of church and state) is supposed to be!
In regards to abortion and
Roe vs. Wade. Women do not take abortion lightly. There are, of course, exceptions to
everything and some people do treat abortion as if it were birth control. Those people are exceptions. That
does not mean it should be against the law.
A much better approach is to expand the support for adoptions and prevention of unwanted pregnancies.
As regards notification, I personally, believe children under 17 should have their
parent’s consent for such an action.
Finally, let us keep our religion out
of our government and our politics; let us also keep our government and our politics out of religion!
I remember when Kennedy ran from President. Oh My! He was a Catholic and for sure
the Pope would be running the country if Kennedy ever got elected! That, of course, was nonsense!
If churches or religious organizations insist on preaching politics
from the pulpit, then those same churches and religious organizations should have the pleasure of paying taxes! Would
certainly help the deficit!
Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_right
