I'd like to know what other Christians think about being involved politically. Is it wrong to vote, to immerse oneself in politics, to debate about it, to fight in the military, etc, or do you think that because we are not of this world and our allegiance is to God and His kingdom that we should have no part in those things? Here in the US things are getting very heated. I've been voting since I was 18, but I've started questioning it because I'm at a place where I don't believe in either political party anymore. I feel that they are all corrupt. However, I also see us heading toward socialism which always leads to something much worse. Being raised to be "patriotic", it is hard for me to watch this happen. Many feel that God was leading those who fought during the American Revolution and that we should fight today to keep our freedom. I feel strongly about that as well, but at the same time know that God has a plan and ultimately all earthly governments will fall. So what should our place in all of this be and do you have biblical references for your reason? Thoughts?
Personally, I feel my allegiance is owed to God and as part of that; having the right mentality to live in the world while I am here.
It means loving all people.
I have much compassion for soldiers, even if I do disagree with some motives, and with violence in general. I find that soldiers carry a heavy burden.
I have pity for people who are ragingly patriotic, because generally it leads to a form of blind faith, and a lot of anger, and people could do without that inside them.
Governments, I believe are put here by God. Not all adhere to God's laws and commands per-se, but instead create laws for the rights of the masses. The right to do anything, unless it infringes on another's rights, which I believe to be the proper ruling of a land.
I have the right not to be christian, as I do to be a follower of Jesus. I have the right to abstain from sin, or partake in it, as long as it does not infringe upon another's rights (murder, theft etc).
And people have the right to go above and beyond that law and try to stick unto God's.
I also believe there are reasons why there are variations in culture and people.
If I were a King, I would rule as this;
Laws
There is to be no premeditated murdering of humans, unless in exceptional circumstances, which is to be decided by teams judge, jury, investigators and psychological professionals.
there is to be no slaughtering of animals except that which is painless and humane. there is also to be no public hanging of animals or unprocessed animal parts. All animals hung must be kept in private or designated premises, such as marketplaces.
There is to be no death penalty for any crime.
There is to be no violence except that which is used in self-defence or as an act of peacekeeping, by either police or citizen. Such acts must be within context. We do not allow for a person who attacks in an unarmed state to be shot, for instance. An act of violence is considered as any of the following; Willful physical striking or hurting of another person by any body part, or with any weapon or object. Though this is within context. If a person is assaulted with a piece of paper, this is more likely to be adjudged as harassment, rather than assault.
There is to be the freedom of any race, religion, creed, sex, age or sexual orientation to live within the walls of this land.
There are to be no public sexual acts whatsoever. A person may engage in any sexual act, oral or penetrative, privately at their own discretion. This does not include acts which would be considered inhumane, perverse or violent. Both parties must be alive and willing.
There is to be no bestiality whatsoever.
There is to be no forceful sexual acts, or any act of such which is not permitted by both sides.
There is allowed to be alcohol sold to whomever wishes it (except children), through licensed vendors, but none can drink it outside the confines of a private, or licences premises, or in designated areas.
There is to be no theft.
There are to be public schools, free to all citizens, though non-compulsory, which should a person wish to enrol into; there will be one compulsory subject; morality. Others will be based on interest of the child and reviewed yearly.
Parents or guardians shall have sole authority over whether a child is home-schooled or publicly educated; up to the age of 13.
Parents or guardians shall have sole custody and authority over a child in all other aspects up to the age of 16, unless the child's rights are infringed, in which case the case will be properly investigated through means of police and counselling teams to establish the situation.
If (a) parent(s) is/are found to be mistreating a child, the parents will be counselled on proper parenting, or confined in a rehabilitation environment until suitably reformed. In this case, the child will be held in a secure and regularly vetted recreational and educational environment until such times as the parents are deemed suitably reformed, or until the age of 13, whichever is sooner. When the child leaves at the age of 13, they may continue studies for free, and the government will supply the child with a home and allowances, free of charge at governmental expense, until the age of 16, during which time the child will be frequented by a temporary guardian, who is vetted and approved by police and psychologists regularly. After this period, normal governmental policy for young adults applies.
At the age of sixteen, a person becomes a young adult in the governments eyes. A young adult has all privileges of an adult, with these exceptions; alcohol purchase is limited to three units maximum, and only with meals. Young adults may live outside their parental homes, but only with parental permission and adequate resources for living. If the young adult was previously in governmental care, or goes into governmental care, the government will continue to house them, and allow the young adult living allowances until the age of 18.
At the age of 18, all citizens become full adults.
The age of accountability varies depending on mental state, to be assessed by multiple professionals, should the need arise. As a rough guide, this age is at around 10 years old. But it is highly dependant on several factors.
There are lots more but you get the picture.
I don't necessarily agree with a lot of these things, but at the same time, the right for someone to live their life as they please is important, as long as it doesn't infringe on someone else's rights.
People will always have the choice to be followers or not.
