I am a Christian.
Flo - sorry for going all ranty in your journal entry. I know you didn't need to hear me vent... but it got my blood flowing big time so I'll continue it in here... I'm warning you all now. These are my opinions, take them or leave them. I know of only one or two people on my flist that will even try to agree with me on this, so I know I'm not popular in my thinking. But I haven't been popular since grammer school
I am a Christian. Southern Baptist by denomination, but at the end of the day my relationship is with Jesus Christ, what denomination I am a part of is pretty much irrelevant.
Being a Christian does not mean I am incapable of forming a well educated opinion or preference. I was raised to educate myself on the facts of an issue, and then weigh it against the Bible. The constitution never said that I could not or should not vote my religious beliefs. The Constitution was protecting the CHURCH from GOVERNMENT. They did not believe a political establishment should have reign over the body of believers. They didn't want a "Church of England" fiasco. They wanted to freely worship their God without worrying about having to be 'politically correct.'
It is my RIGHT to worship, practice, and believe as I do. To ask me to chuck it out the door when I enter the polling station is wrong and not American. I don't ask a Muslim, Hindu, or other religious group to do it - why am I the one that gets singled out because of MY beliefs?
I am a Christian. That doesn't mean I'm a bigot, racist, gay basher, abortion clinic bomber. I believe the Bible is 100% true and accurate. It does not contradict. It is the Word of God. I take it to be litteral. That means there are certain things that just aren't done. I don't make exceptions for "Christians" who do the "equibilant Christian sin" and I don't judge. I do vote for the Biblical principles. It's not popular, I get that, but I'm not doing it out of hate.
Believe me, if I could - I would. But I take my relationship, my "religion", seriously. If I have to choose between America or God, God wins EVERYTIME.
As a Christian American I am very proud to be in this country. We have - somewhat - religious freedoms that a lot of the World doesn't. I don't believe we had a perfect 8 years with Bush, I don't think he did everything the "Christian way" and I didn't vote for him just because he hung a cross on his wall. I don't know him personally and so I cannot judge him and say he is or he isn't. Just as I cannot with McCain or Obama - I have my opinions, but I cannot come out and proclaim them one way or the other.
In the last 48 to 72 hours I have seen a LOT of hate spewed my way because I'm a whining conservative Christian who wanted to vote in hate, war, and death. No, I'm not. I do stand behind what I said about America getting what she wanted. I do believe that God allowed Obama to win. I do believe that this is all ordained. Jury's still out on why. I was called a bigot by multiple people yesterday for a bill's passing that I had nothing to do with. I was called a racist just for being an outspoken Christian.
So far the change I've seen in this country is not bringing hope or peace or union. All it's brought is hate, and judgement, and frustration. This is not Obama's fault, but it certainly brings out the true colors of some.
I am pro-life. This does not mean that I have all the answers on abortion. I know that the Bible says it's wrong, that a life is a life the moment it's concieved and that taking a life without just cause is wrong. In my finite mind I cannot fathom having to make that choice as a woman raped, or choosing one life over the other. But = Jesus' example of dying on the cross for me is enough for me to know that sacrificing my body, my earthly life, so my child could live. With rape I know what the good answer is, but I cannot in my 'right mind' feel qualified to have that answer. In a perfect world the answer would be simple - then again in a perfect world rape wouldn't happen.
Pro-Life also goes along with the war issue and the death penalty. For me I think if war is justified then it's one of those nessecary evils. Same with the death penalty. Those who have yelled at me about these issues over the last 8 or so years screaming God hates _____ are right to some extent, but he didn't exclude them from His plans, or his laws. I do believe that the Iraq war could have been handled better. I think on some level it would be justified (as did both sides of government before they voted against it) I don't think we went at the right time. The war in Afganistan needed to be fought, we should have focussed on that.
I don't think any politico has all the answers. The only place I've found that does is the Bible, and even then I don't understand everything I'm reading. The Bible says that I won't be able to until the end of days. I will support the President elect, and I will certainly pray for him. That God gives him the strength and wisdom to lead our country. I was told yesterday on a certain message board that I was not allowed to do that - because I didn't vote for Obama. Obama said that he would be my President too. I am not going to take up the same approach that so many did with Bush with the "not my president" campaign. Because that seems silly. You're in the country this man is leading whether or not you like him. I know there are quite a few angry republicans out there who have already started that. Ok, we all get angry when our guy loses. But I think for any leader to really succeed he needs to know he has support.
I know in the coming weeks, months, and years I will not agree with everything our new leader does, says, or puts forth. I haven't done that with Bush either. I'm weary of where my life will change. I worry about certain freedoms. Not so much because it's Obama but because of who controls DC now. I'll speak out with what I don't agree with - as is my right - but Barack Obama was voted in by the people, and he is the one chosen to lead for the next 4 to 8 years. He has my support and my prayers.
contemplativeI am a Christian. Southern Baptist by denomination, but at the end of the day my relationship is with Jesus Christ, what denomination I am a part of is pretty much irrelevant.
Being a Christian does not mean I am incapable of forming a well educated opinion or preference. I was raised to educate myself on the facts of an issue, and then weigh it against the Bible. The constitution never said that I could not or should not vote my religious beliefs. The Constitution was protecting the CHURCH from GOVERNMENT. They did not believe a political establishment should have reign over the body of believers. They didn't want a "Church of England" fiasco. They wanted to freely worship their God without worrying about having to be 'politically correct.'
It is my RIGHT to worship, practice, and believe as I do. To ask me to chuck it out the door when I enter the polling station is wrong and not American. I don't ask a Muslim, Hindu, or other religious group to do it - why am I the one that gets singled out because of MY beliefs?
I am a Christian. That doesn't mean I'm a bigot, racist, gay basher, abortion clinic bomber. I believe the Bible is 100% true and accurate. It does not contradict. It is the Word of God. I take it to be litteral. That means there are certain things that just aren't done. I don't make exceptions for "Christians" who do the "equibilant Christian sin" and I don't judge. I do vote for the Biblical principles. It's not popular, I get that, but I'm not doing it out of hate.
Believe me, if I could - I would. But I take my relationship, my "religion", seriously. If I have to choose between America or God, God wins EVERYTIME.
As a Christian American I am very proud to be in this country. We have - somewhat - religious freedoms that a lot of the World doesn't. I don't believe we had a perfect 8 years with Bush, I don't think he did everything the "Christian way" and I didn't vote for him just because he hung a cross on his wall. I don't know him personally and so I cannot judge him and say he is or he isn't. Just as I cannot with McCain or Obama - I have my opinions, but I cannot come out and proclaim them one way or the other.
In the last 48 to 72 hours I have seen a LOT of hate spewed my way because I'm a whining conservative Christian who wanted to vote in hate, war, and death. No, I'm not. I do stand behind what I said about America getting what she wanted. I do believe that God allowed Obama to win. I do believe that this is all ordained. Jury's still out on why. I was called a bigot by multiple people yesterday for a bill's passing that I had nothing to do with. I was called a racist just for being an outspoken Christian.
So far the change I've seen in this country is not bringing hope or peace or union. All it's brought is hate, and judgement, and frustration. This is not Obama's fault, but it certainly brings out the true colors of some.
I am pro-life. This does not mean that I have all the answers on abortion. I know that the Bible says it's wrong, that a life is a life the moment it's concieved and that taking a life without just cause is wrong. In my finite mind I cannot fathom having to make that choice as a woman raped, or choosing one life over the other. But = Jesus' example of dying on the cross for me is enough for me to know that sacrificing my body, my earthly life, so my child could live. With rape I know what the good answer is, but I cannot in my 'right mind' feel qualified to have that answer. In a perfect world the answer would be simple - then again in a perfect world rape wouldn't happen.
Pro-Life also goes along with the war issue and the death penalty. For me I think if war is justified then it's one of those nessecary evils. Same with the death penalty. Those who have yelled at me about these issues over the last 8 or so years screaming God hates _____ are right to some extent, but he didn't exclude them from His plans, or his laws. I do believe that the Iraq war could have been handled better. I think on some level it would be justified (as did both sides of government before they voted against it) I don't think we went at the right time. The war in Afganistan needed to be fought, we should have focussed on that.
I don't think any politico has all the answers. The only place I've found that does is the Bible, and even then I don't understand everything I'm reading. The Bible says that I won't be able to until the end of days. I will support the President elect, and I will certainly pray for him. That God gives him the strength and wisdom to lead our country. I was told yesterday on a certain message board that I was not allowed to do that - because I didn't vote for Obama. Obama said that he would be my President too. I am not going to take up the same approach that so many did with Bush with the "not my president" campaign. Because that seems silly. You're in the country this man is leading whether or not you like him. I know there are quite a few angry republicans out there who have already started that. Ok, we all get angry when our guy loses. But I think for any leader to really succeed he needs to know he has support.
I know in the coming weeks, months, and years I will not agree with everything our new leader does, says, or puts forth. I haven't done that with Bush either. I'm weary of where my life will change. I worry about certain freedoms. Not so much because it's Obama but because of who controls DC now. I'll speak out with what I don't agree with - as is my right - but Barack Obama was voted in by the people, and he is the one chosen to lead for the next 4 to 8 years. He has my support and my prayers.
