"My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." John 18:36
Among other biblical verses that carry the same or similar message, I'd like to pose a question, one that's troubled me for so many years. Why is it that Christians become so passionate about what titles they give themselves and what titles they wish to impose on others? Why must I be pro-life or pro-choice? Why must I oppose gay marriage or why must I support it? Why are the values of the right a wiser choice then those of the left and vice versa? Actually, allow me to be much more clearer on the topic I wish to debate, why is it Christians involve themselves in the affairs of men at all? If we wish to spiritually advance ourselves and reinforce the teachings of our lord Jesus Christ, then why do we pollute our minds and create the obstacles of political infighting and philosophies of the persuasion of men? As a teenager, I was much more politically charged then I am now, although the "taint" does still exist for me and I've slowly learned over the years how much politics makes hateful people out of us all. Not to mention hypocrites and in some cases, liars. I don't recall our lord and teacher, Jesus Christ, lobbying for support against greeks who murdered children because they were mentally or physically ill, I don't remember him publicly shaming or degrading those who were sexually immoral, quite the contrary, I recall him being in support of these people, seeking to redeem them. Those who shut there minds from the lord and closed there hearts, we are taught not to pursue, if they won't listen to the words of the lord, what chance does a servant of our heavenly father have? I see on the television everyday, another man who claims to be a servant of the lord, and yet hate and malice spews from there mouths. One could argue till they were blue in the face that the anger was justified, but the fact remains that they publicly display a Christian as an invidious people. So not only does politics create an obstacle for spiritual progression, it shows would-be Christians a more negative side of what we are not. God wants us to follow his laws and the laws of man for a reason, the first is to bring us up as a righteous people and the second is to make a public display to others of our godliness. How can these feats be accomplished (Both making ourselves righteous and inspiring others to seek the lord through our character) when we involve ourselves in things that will have no bearing in our salvation or the salvation of others? I know this is a strange way of introducing one's self, but I wanted to hop right into the thick of it. I've recently been cruising for a Christian forum that felt a little more personal, that wasn't to overly crowed. In my search, I've found that many Christian forums contain an area for political debate and it concerns me as I have concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm not accusing anyone here of the malice and hate I've pointed out in my objective observations of our nations self-claiming Christians. In fact, I've spent some time here coming to admire some of the forum personalities that are apart of this fine community. Anyway, I hope my questions aren't to sensitive to anyone, I'm hoping for a civil debate on the matter (I seem to enjoy playing the devils advocate more often then I should) without any passionate or heated remarks.
Among other biblical verses that carry the same or similar message, I'd like to pose a question, one that's troubled me for so many years. Why is it that Christians become so passionate about what titles they give themselves and what titles they wish to impose on others? Why must I be pro-life or pro-choice? Why must I oppose gay marriage or why must I support it? Why are the values of the right a wiser choice then those of the left and vice versa? Actually, allow me to be much more clearer on the topic I wish to debate, why is it Christians involve themselves in the affairs of men at all? If we wish to spiritually advance ourselves and reinforce the teachings of our lord Jesus Christ, then why do we pollute our minds and create the obstacles of political infighting and philosophies of the persuasion of men? As a teenager, I was much more politically charged then I am now, although the "taint" does still exist for me and I've slowly learned over the years how much politics makes hateful people out of us all. Not to mention hypocrites and in some cases, liars. I don't recall our lord and teacher, Jesus Christ, lobbying for support against greeks who murdered children because they were mentally or physically ill, I don't remember him publicly shaming or degrading those who were sexually immoral, quite the contrary, I recall him being in support of these people, seeking to redeem them. Those who shut there minds from the lord and closed there hearts, we are taught not to pursue, if they won't listen to the words of the lord, what chance does a servant of our heavenly father have? I see on the television everyday, another man who claims to be a servant of the lord, and yet hate and malice spews from there mouths. One could argue till they were blue in the face that the anger was justified, but the fact remains that they publicly display a Christian as an invidious people. So not only does politics create an obstacle for spiritual progression, it shows would-be Christians a more negative side of what we are not. God wants us to follow his laws and the laws of man for a reason, the first is to bring us up as a righteous people and the second is to make a public display to others of our godliness. How can these feats be accomplished (Both making ourselves righteous and inspiring others to seek the lord through our character) when we involve ourselves in things that will have no bearing in our salvation or the salvation of others? I know this is a strange way of introducing one's self, but I wanted to hop right into the thick of it. I've recently been cruising for a Christian forum that felt a little more personal, that wasn't to overly crowed. In my search, I've found that many Christian forums contain an area for political debate and it concerns me as I have concern for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm not accusing anyone here of the malice and hate I've pointed out in my objective observations of our nations self-claiming Christians. In fact, I've spent some time here coming to admire some of the forum personalities that are apart of this fine community. Anyway, I hope my questions aren't to sensitive to anyone, I'm hoping for a civil debate on the matter (I seem to enjoy playing the devils advocate more often then I should) without any passionate or heated remarks.