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With the 2008 United States Presidential election approaching, Christians all over the country are struggling over the issues entangled with political involvement. Should we vote? If not, why not? If so, for whom? As difficult as these questions are, we felt compelled to share our feelings, and hopefully influence the Church, the body of Christ, at large. We believe that the discussion amongst believers concerning the Church’s involvement in political activity must fundamentally change. Currently, the Church debates whether or not a particular candidate/political party accurately reflects Christian values. We must ask, how can the Church answer this question when we are not in agreement as to what “Christian values” are? For the first three centuries after the death of Jesus, the Church was unified in its opposition to war, opposition to empire, love and forgiveness of enemies, economic equalitarianism, etc. However, with the rise of “Constantinian-Christianity,” the Church was merged with the state and secular society at large. Since then, the Church has supported the horrors of the Inquisition, the burning of heretics, racial and economic slavery, etc. Even today, many in the Church at best condone and at worst support the following: vengeful torture and killing of our enemies, “collateral damage” consisting of innocent deaths during war, selfish stewardship of our finances, and destructive stewardship of our environment, just to name several. How can the Church serve as a witness to the world when “Christian” “values” are barely distinguishable from worldly values? We must fix the Church before the Church can ever hope to fix the world! Our efforts… ALL of our efforts… must be put towards this. Even if our advice is ignored, and the Church involves itself with political activism, where will it turn? The Democratic Party may end the Iraq war, which would certainly save the lives of American soldiers and Iraqis alike. But honestly, this doesn’t seem likely. Likewise, the Republican Party could end abortion and save the lives of many unborn babies. But honestly, this doesn’t seem likely either. With this in mind, let’s look at the downside of each option. Certainly under a Democratic government abortions would continue, continuing the genocide of the unborn. Likewise, a Republican government would certainly continue the war in Iraq (and maybe with Iran and/or North Korea) which would continue the deaths of not only innocent Iraqi civilian “collateral damage,” but also the deaths of the combatants themselves. Our choice is between death and death. Our choice is between a party that will let Big Government rob us versus a party that will let Big Business rob us. Our choice is between a party that is built on lies versus a party that is built on lies. The truth is, our “choice” is no choice at all. We refuse to “choose” who is going to lie to us. We refuse to “choose” who is going to steal from us. Most importantly, we refuse to “choose” who is going to die: innocent unborn babies or innocent Iraqi civilians. The Church is called to be a “light to the world.” Before we can even begin to think about serving as that light, we must ignite that flame once again. We must convince the body of Christ, every single individual member, to pick up their crosses and follow Jesus. We must reject the ways of the world, and follow our Lord and Savior. We must begin to show love towards all: born and unborn, friend and enemy, innocent and guilty. It is then, and only then, that the Church will be able to serve as an effective witness to the state, influence society, and make significant changes. Current Poll:
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