Curious George (Carlin Style)

[Riven]

You think true Christianity preaches something that it doesn’t. That’s an education problem combined with a heart issue.

***

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself” isn’t “concern yourself only with the hereafter”.

So what was your point in posting thast verse in a politics thread?

 

[Matthias]

So what was your point in posting thast verse in a politics thread?

You really don’t see the applicability of Romans 13:1 to the realm of politics / government?

All government involves politics.

 

[Riven]

You really don’t see the applicability of Romans 13:1 to the realm of politics?

Only if I'm a politician.

 

[Matthias]

Only if I'm a politician.

Paul wasn’t writing to politicians.

 

[Riven]

Paul wasn’t writing to politicians.

You still haven't answered my question. You're not arguing in good faith, Matthias.

 

[Matthias]

You still haven't answered my question. You're not arguing in good faith, Matthias.

You’re misapplying scripture. Paul’s concern is with how Christians are to live under government by the nations of the world. Whether politicians like it or not is immaterial.

 

[2bme]

He was right in more ways than one. Our country was sold to the highest bidder, and this Christian religion was spoon fed to the population to make the peasants content with their discontent.

Lisa Simpson knows what's going on:

 

[Riven]

You’re misapplying scripture. Paul’s concern is with how Christians are to live under government by the nations of the world. Whether politicians like it or not is immaterial.

But what does that mean in practice? Does it mean Christians can't oppose their political leaders?

 

[Matthias]

But what does that mean in practice? Does it mean Christians can't oppose their political leaders?

No. Christians are to obey the government authorities except when those authorities ask (or require) them to do something which is contrary to what God requires of them.

I offered you a couple of examples.

 

[2bme]

No. Christians are to obey the government authorities except when those authorities ask (or require) them to do something which is contrary to what God requires of them.

I offered you a couple of examples.

Then why are so many Christian's going along with the current President Donald Trump? Why?

 

[Matthias]

Then why are so many Christian's going along with the current President Donald Trump? Why?

If President Trump requires them to do something which God prohibits them to do, then they shouldn’t do it.

 

[Riven]

No. Christians are to obey the government authorities except when those authorities ask (or require) them to do something which is contrary to what God requires of them.

I offered you a couple of examples.

Now when you say obey, does that mean they shouldn't criticize their leaders?

 

[Matthias]

Now when you say obey, does that mean they shouldn't criticize their leaders?

No. For example, a local city government proposes to raise property tax rates. There is no prohibition against criticizing the Mayor and City Council for proposing an increase in the tax rate. If the tax rate is nevertheless passed / approved through the mechanism prescribed by law, then the property tax must be paid.

 

[Riven]

No. For example, a local city government proposes to raise property tax rates. There is no prohibition against criticizing the Mayor and City Council for proposing an increase in the tax rate. If the tax rate is nevertheless passed / approved through the mechanism prescribed by law, then the property tax must be paid.

I see. But how does this verse apply to me criticizing Trump? Should I not criticize him or his policies merely because he won the election?

 

[Matthias]

I see. But how does this verse apply to me criticizing Trump?

Paul’s instruction is for Christians / believers, not for you. You aren’t bound by scripture.

Should I not criticize him or his policies merely because he won the election?

What unbelievers do or don’t do is outside of Paul’s / my arena. Whether you criticize him or not is completely up to you to decide.

 

[Lambano]

Now when you say obey, does that mean they shouldn't criticize their leaders?

Actually, there is a long Biblical tradition of God's people calling their leaders to accountability. That's one of the things that got John the Baptist beheaded. (Some leaders don't take correction well.)

 

[Lambano]

Then why are so many Christian's going along with the current President Donald Trump? Why?

They think they can use him to get some of the cultural changes that they want. The question is, who is using whom?

 

[2bme]

If President Trump requires them to do something which God prohibits them to do, then they shouldn’t do it.

But the question I asked was why those Christian's are going along with President Donald Trump. Because he was elected by the majority of Christian voter's.

 

[Lambano]

The issue is that Christianity preaches to only concern yourself with the hereafter.

I definitely do NOT want you to come away with this misconception about Christianity. God is also concerned with what we do in the here-and-now, and if you stick with Matthias's study of the Book of Matthew a while longer, chapter 25:31-46 records Jesus's opinion about such things as feeding the hungry, caring for strangers, tending the sick, caring for the imprisoned, providing shelter and clothing for those who have none... You will see some splits along denominational and political party lines about WHICH issues of this world are of primary concern, but I don't want you thinking that we are to be "so heavenly-minded that we are of no earthly good".

 

[Matthias]

But the question I asked was why those Christian's are going along with President Donald Trump. Because he was elected by the majority of Christian voter's.

They believed he offered a much better option; that he was more closely aligned with their values, than the alternative.