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I agree that the pictures were a little over the top, but I wouldn't call them idolatrous. I don't think anyone is worshiping those images.
Every piece of American money says "in God we trust." Is that idolatrous? Perhaps, but that's not OFM's fault -- unless he's actually over 100 years old and it was his decision to put that phrase there. His picture neither condemned nor supported the message of God's name being dirtied by placed on our money. He just showed a picture. Don't blame him for showing what already exists. Shooting the messenger?
As for the "Jesus Senior Photo," as one of my pastors likes to call it (doesn't it look like he's posing for his senior picture?) that is one artist's representation of Jesus. It is not accurate -- fine. Neither is any English-language Bible completely accurate. You gonna say people aren't allowed to read the Bible in English just because that isn't accurate? Why not allow people to meet Jesus where they can, as they can. I trust God to let Himself not be falsely twisted to those who seek him in Spirit and Truth. If you want to see Jesus as a long-haired hippie freak, fine. If you want to see him as a stocky, bearded Semite, go for it. If you see a tall, swarthy, athletically-built God, then that's what you see. I suspect we're all going to be a little surprised when we meet him face-to-face. I, for one, look forward to it, and I don't care if he's green-and-pink polka-dots with eight arms. I love him just the same.
I'm not sure I understand your question fully. I think you're asking, "Does your Christianity inform your political views, and if so, how?" If that isn't what you were asking, can I have a mulligan (do-over)?
If this is your question, then here's my answer: ABSOLUTELY! I'd like to think that my Faith in Jesus informs everything I do. I am also, as a few others on this board have shared, politically liberal. I have to say I am glad I'm not the only one here
They have to. The question is, what power does one have over the other? The answer should be NONE.
When people talk about "separation of church and state," you are correct, that phrase is nowhere to be found in the constitution. It is a convenient phrase, a summary of one of the freedoms granted in the Bill of Rights. But I understand that it can be misunderstood.
Having a "separation of church and state" does not mean that no one who is religious is allowed to be political, or vice-versa. That's just silly. The point of the phrase was to summarize this, which IS in the constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." In other words, the government has no business poking its nose into churches. And similarly: churches need to get their noses out of government. Churches on both sides (democrat and republican) have gotten in trouble for "preaching politics from the pulpit." Legally they cannot do this. A pastor cannot tell you who to vote for.
The government cannot tell anyone what to believe, and no Church can tell anyone how to vote. It's as simple as that.
Every piece of American money says "in God we trust." Is that idolatrous? Perhaps, but that's not OFM's fault -- unless he's actually over 100 years old and it was his decision to put that phrase there. His picture neither condemned nor supported the message of God's name being dirtied by placed on our money. He just showed a picture. Don't blame him for showing what already exists. Shooting the messenger?
As for the "Jesus Senior Photo," as one of my pastors likes to call it (doesn't it look like he's posing for his senior picture?) that is one artist's representation of Jesus. It is not accurate -- fine. Neither is any English-language Bible completely accurate. You gonna say people aren't allowed to read the Bible in English just because that isn't accurate? Why not allow people to meet Jesus where they can, as they can. I trust God to let Himself not be falsely twisted to those who seek him in Spirit and Truth. If you want to see Jesus as a long-haired hippie freak, fine. If you want to see him as a stocky, bearded Semite, go for it. If you see a tall, swarthy, athletically-built God, then that's what you see. I suspect we're all going to be a little surprised when we meet him face-to-face. I, for one, look forward to it, and I don't care if he's green-and-pink polka-dots with eight arms. I love him just the same.
I'm not sure I understand your question fully. I think you're asking, "Does your Christianity inform your political views, and if so, how?" If that isn't what you were asking, can I have a mulligan (do-over)?
If this is your question, then here's my answer: ABSOLUTELY! I'd like to think that my Faith in Jesus informs everything I do. I am also, as a few others on this board have shared, politically liberal. I have to say I am glad I'm not the only one here
They have to. The question is, what power does one have over the other? The answer should be NONE.
When people talk about "separation of church and state," you are correct, that phrase is nowhere to be found in the constitution. It is a convenient phrase, a summary of one of the freedoms granted in the Bill of Rights. But I understand that it can be misunderstood.
Having a "separation of church and state" does not mean that no one who is religious is allowed to be political, or vice-versa. That's just silly. The point of the phrase was to summarize this, which IS in the constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." In other words, the government has no business poking its nose into churches. And similarly: churches need to get their noses out of government. Churches on both sides (democrat and republican) have gotten in trouble for "preaching politics from the pulpit." Legally they cannot do this. A pastor cannot tell you who to vote for.
The government cannot tell anyone what to believe, and no Church can tell anyone how to vote. It's as simple as that.