R U Politically Active?

[LaylieCalmMind]

I'm pretty into political and social issues of the time. I enjoy discussing them and supporting my stance through not just voting, but reasoning with others. Not sharing the stances themselves as that isn't what this thread is about

 

[tif]

Don't fall into what is called by philosophers the fallacy of the mean or middle. Just because something is a go-between two different positions it does not necessary mean that is the correct position, e.g. some want to abolish slavery completely and some want to keep it in tact therefore we should choose a middle ground that would involve releasing some slaves and/or giving the slaves more freedom. Our media is HORRIBLE about this. If something is true, then it is true regardless of whether a Democrat or a Republican is saying it, and they need to be called out.
Fallacy: Middle Ground

Don't get me wrong here.

I don't take a middle road with my beliefs. I'm just not overtly political.

For instance: I have some traditional "conservative" beliefs. I don't think abortion is a good choice. I don't believe gayness is how someone is born. I also have some traditional "liberal" beliefs. I don't agree in large tax breaks for the rich, I don't believe in cutting funding to necessary social services, and I am appalled at how far politicians (as a whole) have their hands in special interests' pockets.

Much of my family is so right wing that "democrat" is almost synonymous with "pot-smoking, loose-living, baby-killing satan worshipper." So, I don't think it's an effective use of my time arguing politics with them.

I tend to have a lot of lefties around work. And, just for emphasis, I'll say it again: AT WORK. Politics, especially contrary political statements, are unwelcome in most work environments.

The people I hang out with don't really talk politics much (except Laura... Sometimes I'll throw out a left-wing belief just to see the frenzy ensue). Most of them are pretty close to me as far as political beliefs are concerned, and if we disagree, we mainly just ask questions until each understands the other's opinion.

So, while my political beliefs are firm, I don't compromise my work or home relationships or my friendships over politics.

 

[Vinifera]

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease don't turn this into a thread that bashes one party or another or anything of the like. HA HA

I'm just curious as to how many christians are politically active and stay abreast of current events in order to make informed choices in this regard. Do you read online or watch the news? Are you familiar with your political representatives on every level? Do you pray for them? Do you vote? Would you ever consider running for office on some level? If so, what office?

1 Every [a]person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except [b]from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore [c]whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for [d]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7)
　
1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; 2 for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.
(1 Timothy 2: 1-4)
　
I am not politically active but I vote and sometimes follow the news. I pray for the government of my country and sometimes also pray for other governments including the Israelite and the US governments since they have the most significant influence in the world.

In my opinion there should be at least a Joseph, Mordecai, Esther, or Daniel in a government body.

PS: I wasn’t really interested in politics (now I am quite interested but only take part in the spiritual realm) until I had dreams about the former presidents and the present one. In my dreams I dreamt about how one of them was being interrogated by someone, whom I believe was a spiritual being who had much more power and authority than he had. He asked the former president concerning the condition of the country and how he had been handling it. Not being able to answer the questions, he collapsed. The ministers who were standing behind the former president said that all that had happened weren’t their responsibility. About two months after the dream, The former president was forced to step down, and a new Cabinet was formed.

In my other dreams I was informed about who would be the next presidents including the present one before they were elected.

In my opinion, christians should at least pray for the government of their countries and there should also be at least a Joseph, Mordecai, Esther, or Daniel in the government body.

 

[David_1]

I've been interested in politics in the early 90s in school. Ironically one of my major essays was on how the US lied to escalate the war in vietnam, and started the war contrary to free elections that were held.

After 9/11, my distaste for Right Wing politics increased immensely as George Bush lied to get into wars, and Australia was dragged into it. Our own Right Wing Prime Minister not even thinking twice about our US/Australia alliance.

Yet another Australian boy was killed in Afghanistan this week, and the government reiterated that it's still important that we are there.

Yeah, Australia needs to be fighting America's war for oil *rolls eyes*

Some of the most Evil people on this planet belong to the Republican party.

The fires of Hell are being stoked for those cold heartless people. I'm also pretty sure God will punish those who vote for the War Mongerers as well.

And yet another 850 Afghan children were slaughtered today.

And the Tea Party is outraged because a Black man was elected President.

SIGH.

God is Watching, he is watching all this. God will ask why they were outraged over a Black man, and not outraged over the many Christian Children who diet in Iraq.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I am not a political at all. I have my certain views, and opinions on different matters.

Whenever there is a presidential election and they put ad's on t.v. that bash the other party, when we would be watching t.v. together when those came on my dad would always mute the t.v. or change the channel. He has always said he never wanted to be influenced in his decision based on slander.

I would never run for office, however if there was some issue i was really concerned about, then i would probably get involved somehow.

I hit the mute button on those ads too, just because they're super annoying and usually just a bunch of twisted truths and outright lies.

 

[rainacorn]

I hate to say it (because it starts arguments), but Rev Jeremiah Wright nailed it.

Governments come and go, but God remains. God damn America for thinking she is supreme.

I spent many years as a political activist and still get involved on issues that really get to me, but ultimately- politics are corrupt. The system is corrupt. The politicians are corrupt. I'm an activist because it makes me feel like I'm doing something...not because I'm actually doing something.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I've been interested in politics in the early 90s in school. Ironically one of my major essays was on how the US lied to escalate the war in vietnam, and started the war contrary to free elections that were held.

After 9/11, my distaste for Right Wing politics increased immensely as George Bush lied to get into wars, and Australia was dragged into it. Our own Right Wing Prime Minister not even thinking twice about our US/Australia alliance.

Yet another Australian boy was killed in Afghanistan this week, and the government reiterated that it's still important that we are there.

Yeah, Australia needs to be fighting America's war for oil *rolls eyes*

Some of the most Evil people on this planet belong to the Republican party.

The fires of Hell are being stoked for those cold heartless people. I'm also pretty sure God will punish those who vote for the War Mongerers as well.

And yet another 850 Afghan children were slaughtered today.

And the Tea Party is outraged because a Black man was elected President.

SIGH.

God is Watching, he is watching all this. God will ask why they were outraged over a Black man, and not outraged over the many Christian Children who diet in Iraq.

You completely missed the point of this thread:

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease don't turn this into a thread that bashes one party or another or anything of the like. HA HA

I'm just curious as to how many christians are politically active and stay abreast of current events in order to make informed choices in this regard. Do you read online or watch the news? Are you familiar with your political representatives on every level? Do you pray for them? Do you vote? Would you ever consider running for office on some level? If so, what office?

 

[Vinifera]

PS: I wasn’t really interested in politics (now I am quite interested but only take part in the spiritual realm) until I had dreams about the former presidents and the present one. In my dreams I dreamt about how one of them was being interrogated by someone, whom I believe was a spiritual being who had much more power and authority than he had. He asked the former president concerning the condition of the country and how he had been handling it. Not being able to answer the questions, he collapsed. The ministers who were standing behind the former president said that all that had happened weren’t their responsibility. About two months after the dream, The former president was forced to step down, and a new Cabinet was formed.

"It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; he gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding."
(Daniel 2:21)

 

[David_1]

You completely missed the point of this thread:

And your ears/mind and heart are completely closed to what I have said. I have explained my motivation for political activity.

You see injustice, and your mind/heart closes to it, and you move straight to censorship.

God is watching. He cares little for you censorship.

 

[thimsrebma]

But if your putting people into office that line the pockets of people who slaughtter helpless, and innocent people ...then YOU are voting for rape and murder. And you CANT NOT vote for someoen in this world who is NOT supporting or being financed by someoen who doesnt have a hand in rape and slaughter...The lesser of two evils is still evil! There is not ONE person in this world who is worth dissobeying the WORDS of Jesus for.

You can justify your acts to make yourself feel better, and make yourself feel like an active member of society, but when it al comes down to it JESUS said COME OUT of the WORLD...I know years of christendom has ignored JESUS, but are we suposed to folow YEARS of a religion, or Folow Jesus?

There is no possible way to be involved in politics AND Be Honest to yourself and Jesus.

Jsut cant happen do some backround checks on the peopel WE put into office....Sure, up front they are "agaisnt abortion" or what have you...but then they are getting funding by drug lords in places, or big corperations here...or secret religions there...its ALL evil...why? becasue its the WORLD. Jesus told us to BE seperate!!

We have 2.7 BILLION Christians in this world...do you really want to know what would happen if ALL of these "Christians" actualyl denyed themselves, followed JESUS the Way he said to, and wasCOMPLETELY seperate from the world? but humans waould rather worship there own idea of Jesus instead of humbling themselves and gettign on there knees adn JSUT SEEKING CHRIST and stop trying to fit in to the world and Society...we were ALWAYS suposed to be a peculiar people...sojurnours, ALIENS to this World....So what Happened?

And you can NOT have political opinions that Reflect Gods WOrd, becasue Gos Word says BE SEPERATE. and you CAN NOT be seperate and be with the wordl. That is sittign on the fence. Luke warm. We have BILLIONS of Luke warm(or dead cold) Christians in this world...becasue they are quieting the spirit of Go, or jsut totaly ignoring it...or are not even saved, and are Christians by NAME only...and still do what the WORDL DOES. It needs to stop. We need to STOP havign a hand in this world. We ned to Seek JESUS not politics, We need to Worship in Spirit and TRUTH on our Knees in the holy of holies, before the throne of GOD DAILY as much as psoible other wise whats commign you will not be able to with stand. ALL of this is designed to take YOUR mind of Of Jesus in your everyday life....and put it on your LIFE(Jesus said if you dont hate your life you are none of mine) Im not saying go be a hermit somewhere...im saying forget abour polotics..forget about "Causes" and Seek JESUS becasue the CAUSE of CHRSIT is the ONLY thign that should matter to us...THIS IS NOT OUR HOME....its a bout time we wake up adn do what JEsus called us to...Repent of our selves, and ALL sin, preach te gospel, Deny self, and REST IN HIM. and let HIM do what HE needs to do with adn through us.


And the BIGGEST thing we need to do is help the BODY of christ..whcih is ostly spirtualy dying...no one Goes TO JEsus for sustanence..they go to MAN. No one Goes To GOD, they go to Chrch they go to organiztions, adn diners, adn fund raisers...all thigns to glorify the flesh, that your living in...even though the bible says die to it. CRUCIFY IT WITH CHRIST . And THEN As GOD birngs people into your life You HELP THEM with the love of JESUS. If YOU are going out hunting out peopel to help..then its YOUR works, not his...if YOU are supportign peopel who CLAIM to be charitable...its STILL not him(unless of cpourse he calls you too...but you need ot be sure) anyway my whole point is it is a time for REPENTANCE(180 degree turn) from SIN and from our life...ignoring GOD yet trying to "bring him back in the country" It needs to stop. Its been hundreds of years of the majority of this country outrightly denying adn ignoring GOD...in the NAME OF GOD...its in vain...vain worship....


Thank you For reading. Jesus loves you, but he will not be knowcking forever...SERVE HIM and not the way MAN says that we shoudl serve Jesus but the way JESUS says. Take his words literally. THOSE are what we are judged on in the last day. Jesus bless you.

Well if you think that separation means a complete nothing to do with anyone or anything who is not Christian then this argument is mor than political.

So do you live in the middle of nowhere completely separated from everyone accept other people who have decided to run off to the middle of nowhere?

If you do then I guess you have completely separated yourself.

If you don't then I gurantee you that you deal with, participate in some form, no matter how direct or indirect political/social/economic issues in this country.

Do you shop at grocery stores or do you produce all of your own food?
Do you buy clothing or do you make it all?
How about entertainment?

All of these things are produced by people who may or may not be envolved in immoral lifestyles including drugs, murders, rapes, etc. But the general population has no way of knowing these things as well as no way of living with out these goods and services. No we are not of the world but we physically live in the world so there are some things you cannot avoid.

 

[Jullianna]

Thanks for posting the scriptures, Vinifera. You just saved me some time. Bless you!

Those of us who are believers, please let us remember the Spirit we are of and conduct ourselves accordingly. Since God has placed all of us in different countries and situations, let us be mindful that we will have very powerful emotions regarding events and policies that affect areas and persons God lays upon our hearts. This is a good thing. Let us see it as such and be respectful of the rights of others to express themselves freely, even if we do not agree, as long as it is within the limits of decency. We might even learn something.

 

[zeroturbulence]

And your ears/mind and heart are completely closed to what I have said. I have explained my motivation for political activity.

You see injustice, and your mind/heart closes to it, and you move straight to censorship.

God is watching. He cares little for you censorship.

You totally ripped on republicans and the right wing and thats exactly the type of thing that this thread isn't supposed to be about.

 

[zeroturbulence]

I personally don't care if you're a left winger, a right winger or a chicken winger. Just dont turn this thread into a political bashing session.

 

[thimsrebma]

I personally don't care if you're a left winger, a right winger or a chicken winger. Just dont turn this thread into a political bashing session.

Personally, I think chinken wing is the best party ever. Everyone should wakeup and see the truth. It's right there infront of your eyes at nearly every grocery store.

CHICKEN WINGS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Vinifera]

Personally, I think chinken wing is the best party ever. Everyone should wakeup and see the truth. It's right there infront of your eyes at nearly every grocery store.

CHICKEN WINGS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!

I love chicken wings. Lol.

 

[Deadflesh]

Well if you think that separation means a complete nothing to do with anyone or anything who is not Christian then this argument is mor than political.

NO, actually we are to surround our selves with ALL people ALL times(Especially sinners...NOT sinnign Christians...THOSE we are suposed to ave nothign to do with...im not saying stumbiling christians..im saying a Christian who LIVES in sin...and it doesnt phase them)...But peopel will flee from YOU, becasue ALL we are suppsoed to Do, act like, adn talk about is JESUS. Again. Didnt say be a hermit...i said dont act liek the world. And Actually I didnt say it, Jesus, adn then the apostles said it REPEADEDLY.


So do you live in the middle of nowhere completely separated from everyone accept other people who have decided to run off to the middle of nowhere?

Haha did you honestly get that from my words? this was political. And im not arguing im plainly speaking what JEsus wants fro mus, adn what the scriptures tech...but what pastors neglect....MAINLY becasue they have no faith in GOD to provide...so they want to stay making money and growing there Church..anyway...thsi context was apolitics...and since JEsus says the WORLD should hate us...and to have nothig nto do with the WORLD...but NOW the "Christians" are trying to make everythign "christian" who is dissobeying whom?

If you do then I guess you have completely separated yourself.

ITs a state of being. NOT a running to the woods and never comming out. Its Being around sinners, adn NOT sinning. its beign around the WOrld and NOT doing what they do. ITs living i na house of tv watchers...and NOT watchign tv. ITs beign around people who talk about the thigns of the wordl and NOT joining in unless its about Jesus. Am i saying its easy at first? no...but that IS what JEsus wants...he said so. its HUMASN who dissobey HIM. It has nothign to do with being a hermit. Physically, its beign a hemit spiritual. YOU CAN NOT have two masters. its JESUS or the cares of the WOrld. Mammon, means not JUST money, but worldy posesions...gaining...that means ANYTHING...What profits a man if he GAINS his life but looses his soul? We are suppsoed to DENY life...why dont we?

If you don't then I gurantee you that you deal with, participate in some form, no matter how direct or indirect political/social/economic issues in this country.

Oh? I get up, I pray, I preach(as the Lord leads) i eat. I pray fro work again(currently im out of a ob...but i world for jesus so when HE wants me to have one i will) and i take care of my dissabled father. then i go to sleep. Its ME and JEsus as much as possible. The WORLD, ESPECIALLY the CHRISTIAN world is spiritual STARVING becasue they are buyign there time with the thigns of the world, adn not spending time with Jesus eating jesus drinkign his blood, CONSUMING HIM...we need to be Pugged into the spirit at ALL times..adn that is impossible to do if we are plugged into the world...hard? YES! but needed?

Do you shop at grocery stores or do you produce all of your own food?

DO you justify all your actions? Or do you try to obey JESUS its HIS words we will be judged on.

Im not fighting and i TRULY am not tryign to make you angry....TEXT isnt the best place to show emotion, or tonality in voce...so if im upsetting i apologise, NOT my intent.

And OBVIOUSLY im on the internet....so...You turly need to understand where im comming from. We need to be seperate from the Desires...from haw we show the wordl JESUS. Becasue if those claimign to be Children of GOD, adn they ACT exactly like the world, VOTE liek the world, Do everythign LIKE the WOrld...then WHAT is the testemony? What are We showing the WOrld that GOD can do in a person? We arent to try to make this wordl a RELIGON we are to show the power of GOD in a regenrated, person, who now Belongs to HEAVEN and not earth...yes we are to share the gospel...but we are hre to DIE*jesus said it) not LIVE



Do you buy clothing or do you make it all?
ACtually most of the clothes i have i had before i recieved the Holy spirit and Told JEsus that i live for HIM now. JEsus is LORD. Why dont we honor that? we LORD our lives, adn make JESUS secondary...you cant dey that almost EVERYONE does it...i still fall into doign so....but it pains me everytime. So an answer to your question...i no longer buy clothes. no.

How about entertainment?
What is enteratinment? Leonard ravenhill said "Entertainment is Satans substitue for Joy" TRULY it is. entertainment is a passefire. it makes you docile..an keeps you for mJesus, adn growing spiritually. HAe you ever felt the Joy of the lord? like HEAVILY its one of the most intense amzing fealins i have ever experienced in my life. Whe nyou just silently praise adn thank Jesus for all thigns, and you spend long times at the throne...in the holy of holies...just being with GOD...have you have doen that? Sit with GOd in his peresnce? if not..then go and do so. And do it DAILY...thats how we grow in prayer...in the SPIRIT. SO no. I threw out most of my books, and music, and movies, adn i dont watch TV. IS that what we ALL should do? Im not sayign that...that was my conviction. But we cant be convicted if we arent listening to the spirit talking to us...and tellign us what to do.

All of these things are produced by people who may or may not be envolved in immoral lifestyles including drugs, murders, rapes, etc. But the general population has no way of knowing these things as well as no way of living with out these goods and services. No we are not of the world but we physically live in the world so there are some things you cannot avoid.

There ARE some thigns you can not avoid. adn then there are sthigns you justify adn defend ONLY becasue YOU want it. and YOU dont see an wrong. but thats becasue MOST dont go to the FATHER they make there own chocies. its YOUR salvation at stake. I would be saying these thigns, and talkign like this if i didnt love you. I DO. I thought i was saved, adn i lived exactly the way MOST do. Untill i reashed a deperession and jsut completely surrenderd myself to JESUS. and i felt him like NEVER before. And HE changed me. Compeltely!! HE changed my apitite. I dont even desire the same things...and before hand i didnt really desire anythign "Evil" but mosts standards...

Anyway. Seperation is a STATE of BEING not really where you are on the map.

And AS far as Politics. We SHOULD NOT have anything to do with it. Really. its not good. it doesnt make any difference...adn even if you get a "moral" person in...what is morality but mans laws. if we arent beign led bythe spirit of GOd then we arent CHIDLREN of God. and the SPIRIT does nto lead one further into the wordl....infact The HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD leads into the oposite direction in ALL ways...PRAY, please. Seek Jesus on your kness more adn more.

I dint write all this JUST for you Thimsrebma, but for ALL who will take the time to read this. We ALL need to stop what we think GOd wants adn ACTUALLY find out...he WANTS us to KNOW HIM, that was the whole point ....that he would find a people that would WANT to know him, adn that HE can lead. OT Israel, GOd wanted to lead them...he wanted to speak to them...but there were scared everytime GOd spoke. Lighting crashed, adn it freaked them out...so they would rather GOD speak to moses, adn then they would follow moses(man wants to follow MAN...not GOd) Then later on GOD wanted to be the KING of his people, and made Samuel a pophet/priest in order to bring his people to GOD....but the people didnt want to GO to GOd, or be ruded by GOD, they wanted a HUMAN KING like all the rest of the WORLD, SO GOd gave them Saul...and he was awful.

ALL of that was leading up to JESUS. And then they KILLED Jesus. Of course it was suposed to happen. MAN doesnt WANT GOD. NEver did. But the FEW, who wal the NARRO PATH are GODS chosen People. The path is NARROW. its DIFFICULT why? BECASUE ITS ABOUT SEPERATION. JESUS seperated himself from the religion of the day...why? becasue it was evil, adn currupted. Jsut like the politics were. The pharesess WAnted JESUS to be a part of there Zionist politics...and JEsus had NOTHIGN To do wit hit...why? BECASUE HIS KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.

God wants MAN to be HIS, and Wants Man to want GOD to be HIS. Jesus wants A PURE and HOLY Bride who willl not fornicate(when you see that in most palces it masn to be half and half...tryign to serve two masters...beign luke warm, tryign to have Jesus AND the world...he calls those people whores)

We are to be FOR JESUS ONLY, adn what HE WANTS us to have, adn what HE leads us to do. Sometiems that takes ALLOT ALLOT ALLOT OF patience. Waiting on the LORD. but he WILL give you the strength to do so. But he wants us to STOP relyign on ourselves, adn Others, and rely on HIM. and then HE Will build the body...Everythign is in ruin at the moment...its stagnant.. its spiritual entropy. We need to Get Plugged INTO JEsus, adn unplugged from the cares of this wordl(what to wear what to buy, where to go, what vacation to take, whos doign this and wy?) it needs to stop. Will it? thats up to YOU. Do you want to feel the presence of GOD like never before? and know him like never befroe? and have him reveal hismelf to you like never before? Deny Self. And submit to HIS lordship. Completely. Desire HIM and then things will start to click. THEN he will start to convict you ofthings. they may be different dependign on the person..but you WILL see changes in things.

And Since THIS is wht thee thread is about. Politics is EVIL. it takes you away from JESUS and makes MAN lord. it makes MAN the object of value. Is this MAN simmialr to my beleifs?
Does this MAN like what i like? Does this MAN want what i want? When all the WHile that MAN is a huge Liar, adn YOU Are dissobedient, becasue you arent seeking FIRST the KINGDOM, your mind isnt on heavenly its on earhtly adn MAN. which is dissobedience to JESUS who SHOULD be LORD...but ISNT if you are not obeying him. ....TRuly...PRAY HARD about all this. this is not my opinion. I try HARD not to speak my opinion. This is TRUTH revelad to me, when i compeltely submited, liek the scriptures repeadedly tell you to. I love You. JESUS loves you, but now its time to LOVE HIM, and not just an idea of him. Jesus bless you.

 

[tif]

Personally, I think chinken wing is the best party ever. Everyone should wakeup and see the truth. It's right there infront of your eyes at nearly every grocery store.

CHICKEN WINGS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!

Where do I sign up for the chicken wing party?!?!?!!!

 

[Lad]

Im very politically active, i tend to be loyal to one particular party according to my values and their history though So yep i vote, and i should pray more often than I do (which is like never lol :/ oops) for them and no i would never run for office Hope this answers your questions...

 

[Sooner28]

It's funny how far threads sometimes get off topic! I'm guilty of doing that on this one :x

 

[Lad]

yes, my baptism of the holy spirit one turned into a heated debate on cessationism.... i ended up unsubscribing from my own thread lol