One must wonder how so many Republicans are able to call themselves Christians when it's clear the leadership of the Republican party is deeply corrupt. Lets look at the question of earmark spending and the budget.
The bible warns us of the dangers of fiscal debt
"The borrower is servant to the lender," Proverbs 22:7
And of the dangers of making gold our god. Republican earmarks went, almost exclusively to businesses, a fact they've rationalized from a Christian standpoint, arguing the money is more efficiently spent on the wealthy, instead of going directly to the poor.
Exodus 20:23:23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.
Recently the new Congress controlled by Democrats passed a bill requiring our representatives in Washington pay as they go and make clear the recipients of earmark spending. In the mean time Bush and other Republicans have already let go with the "Tax and spend Democrat" complaint. This despite six years of record earmark spending, record deficit spending and not a single spending veto from the White House. How can anyone call themselves a Christian and ignore such hypocrisy?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
How can anyone call themselves a Christian and ignore such hypocrisy?
Many didn't, which is at least part of the reason the Republicans lost control of Congress last year.
Your quote of Exodus 20:23 is appropriate, but I believe that "gods of silver or gods of gold" refers to idols in general, not just the love of money. Anything can be a god if it hinders our relationship with God Almighty: power, fame, intoxicants, entertainment, or even political ideology ("He done stopped preachin' and started meddlin'!).
I believe we should be Christians first and let our faith direct our political persuasion, not the other way around. Christians on both the Left and Right often start with a political axe to grind, then look for biblical "proof-texts" to justify their position.
If we were really sincere about our faith, we'd read the Word from Genesis to Revelation with an open mind, and as part of that process, memorize those verses that seem to run counter to our political views. Lord, give me that kind of sincerity!
I still owe you an answer to the question you posed on the last post. I've been mulling it over, but I don't want to take it lightly, so I'll have to wait until the weekend to formulate a proper response.
Lol...well don't worry too much about the question. I started this blog because despite what you say about Christians separating their religion from politics I feel it's impossible to separate the two completely. I arrived at my own conclusions, but don't know for sure what God might be thinking. Thanks for joining the conversation.
And while we're on the subject of earmarks ...
Another god to watch out for is self-aggrandizement (at taxpayers' expense, no less).
Typical...the Democrats pass laws to make earmarks transparent...Republicans now can point their little finger...
I'll say it again...Six years of record earmark spending by Republicans...get real Curious and start pointing a few fingers in the direction of your own guys then you'll get some respect...otherwise you're just another hypocrit.
...get real Curious and start pointing a few fingers in the direction of your own guys then you'll get some respect...otherwise you're just another hypocrit.
OK, here goes:
$100,000 for street furniture and sidewalks in Laverne, Ala - Bad
$44 million for a bridge to Treasure Island in Florida - Bad
$75,000 for a North Pole Transit System in Alaska - Bad
$200,000 for a program at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Bad
$325,000 for a swimming pool in Salinas - Bad
(And that's just 2003). Shall I go on?
Earmarks are bad, be they by Democrats or (I almost hate to spoil your pre-conceived notions about me) Republicans. If there were more congressmen like Jeff Flake (and a few others), the GOP might have held on to their majority in Congress.
Democrats abused earmarks in the 1970's and '80's, but from 2003 until the beginning of this year, Republicans took the practice to heights (or depths) never dreamed of by the Democrats.
I don't know what happened to the fiscal constraint promised in the "Contract with America" except to say that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, and like I said in my very first comment in this thread "is at least part of the reason the Republicans lost control of Congress last year."
That being said, are you ready to distance yourself from earmarks by Democrats?
Since we're on preconceived notions of you, I'll tell you what I think. I figure you're a good Christian man kind of like my own father. I figure you worked hard all your life and when Reagan came along you saw someone you thought would lead the country in the right direction. (Too bad the Bush family managed to ride his coat tails to power.) Now you're hopefully getting disgusted with the Republicans because so many of them have succumbed to the temptations of special interests.
I could say some other stuff, but it's all speculation. I don't judge you by what you write here, unless you start hurling insults like some other Republicans I know. So far you seem like an intelligent guy who believes what he believes. Two reasonable people can disagree on an issue, and both can have valid points. I'm not a black and white kind of guy.
I would imagine we would get along great at church.
Since you were kind enough to share about your involvement at church, I'll tell you a little about myself.
I'm a musician and my wife and I play contemporary Christian music. We were part of the praise team at St. Stephen's Church for several years, but we got tired of the commute from Dumas. Now we play Sundays at the First United Methodist Church in Dumas.
I don't tithe 10% at my church because I think churches are missing the boat when it comes to money. I do give some money to my church, but I make up for that by giving money to the Christian Children's fund and to the One organization because of it's work in Africa. I think our churches are spending too much on buildings, salaries, and other perks for the communities they are in. Just me.
My wife and I are both involved in the Emmaus community as well, if you're familiar with that organization. I just finished up working a walk in June. I had a great time communing with some of the other guys there.
I'm not perfect and have plenty of places in my own life that could use a bit of improvement. Thankfully God's grace is a constant, so maybe I have some chance of getting to heaven, despite the fact that I'm a Yellow Dog Democrat.
Now you're hopefully getting disgusted with the Republicans ...
I am, but there's nothing hopeful about it! :)
I know what you meant; I just love to play with how the word "hopefully" has two meanings! (e.g. Q: How are you getting disgusted with the Republicans? A: Hopefully!)
Now we play Sundays at the First United Methodist Church in Dumas. [Emphasis added.]
Well, that explains a lot! (just kidding)
As a Baptist, I like to have a little goodnatured fun with my Methodist friends, especially since your denomination is more liberal than mine.
Of course the reality is that there are always individual exceptions: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Al Gore are all Baptists; George W. Bush is a Methodist. Which just goes to show there's no "typical" anything where religion (or politics) are concerned. I actually grew up in the United Church of Christ (Barack Obama's denomination). Go figure!
Like you, I've been involved in music ministry for as long as I can remember. I was part of the praise team at Coulter Road Baptist for awhile back in the late '90's. I now sing in the choir at Paramount Baptist. I also and sing an occasional solo. My next one will be Sunday, 08/05 (the day before my surgery) during the 8:30 "blended" service. Come join us if you can!
I love all kinds of Christian music - from Bach church cantatas - a wonderful blend of German (my second language), baroque, and a very solid Christian message - to the most contemporary of contemporary Christian music. Because of my eclectic taste, I get it from both sides - many of my traditionalist friends think it odd that a 57-year old likes contemporary Christian music, and a lot of Baptists consider Bach "high church" (the kiss of death for Baptists). Once again - go figure!
Thankfully God's grace is a constant, so maybe I have some chance of getting to heaven, despite the fact that I'm a Yellow Dog Democrat.
Some chance? Brother, it's a certainty!
There are plenty of other examples, too. It's not about what you do ("... all our righteous acts are like filthy rags ..." Isaiah 64:6) or who you are ("There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, [Republican or Democrat - I added that one!] for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28) it's about whose you are ("Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Getting back to earmarks:
Here's an interesting site that ranks senators on their support (or lack of it) for 12 key earmark reform bills between 2005 and 2007.
Curious I will say a prayer for your quick recovery from the prostate surgery.
That is so cool that you're involved with music at your church. I wish we could come over and hear your solo Sunday morning, but since we live in Dumas we might not be able to get back in time to play at the 9:00 service at our church...lol
By the way I just wanted to remind you that I would love to see others posting here, so if there is something on your mind, feel free to post on the main forum. I wouldn't make that offer to say...Celtic Texan. I must admit when you first commented on one of my posts I was a bit confused as to your identity.
...if there is something on your mind, feel free to post on the main forum. I wouldn't make that offer to say...Celtic Texan.
Thanks for the kind offer and the trust it reflects. In order for me to post on the main forum, I'll need to be "invited" via email through Blogger. The instructions on how to do that should be accesible through the dashboard. I think you should have my email address via my comments, but if not let me know, and I'll get it to you.
Re Celtic Texan: I got together with him and Bodacious this weekend and mentioned what you said. We all had a good laugh.
Celtic wanted to know the name of your blog so he could comment here, but I politely declined to tell him. As much as I like him, I find him to be a little "rough around the edges" (a critique he readily agrees with).
LOL: "rough around the edges": is that the newest euphemism for "racist nutball"? David Duke, he's just a little rough around the edges. Louis Farrakhan, gosh, y'know, he's kinda rough around the edges.
Business as usual in congress
I would like to hear your opinion on that, please.
Post a Comment