Self Righteousness In Politics - Can Christians be into Politics?

[jasontn]

God says our righteousness comes from him. Almost all churches agree on this. However, people who are obessed with politics (wether CNN or Fox News style) tend to be self righteous. Why? Because they establish thier own views apart from praying to God. If people prayed to God then God would show them thier own faults.

For example, God might show a Fox News viewer that his beliefs have made him racist and uncaring to the poor. Now of course, I, myself, agree the government shouldn’t be called on to help people. However, Christians called on to help people. Maybe God would show the Fox news viewer that he neglects the poor and has a bad attitude about them.

What about the left wing? God might show some black person that he is racist, jealous, envious and isn’t kind toward whites. In addition, God might show him that he or she should accept more responsibility for his problems and not blame society.

So at what point does politics become boasting and self righteousness? At what point does a political activist become a punk? How should a Christian deal with politics?

 

[rev_kevin]

God says our righteousness comes from him. Almost all churches agree on this. However, people who are obessed with politics (wether CNN or Fox News style) tend to be self righteous. Why? Because they establish thier own views apart from praying to God. If people prayed to God then God would show them thier own faults.

For example, God might show a Fox News viewer that his beliefs have made him racist and uncaring to the poor. Now of course, I, myself, agree the government shouldn’t be called on to help people. However, Christians called on to help people. Maybe God would show the Fox news viewer that he neglects the poor and has a bad attitude about them.

What about the left wing? God might show some black person that he is racist, jealous, envious and isn’t kind toward whites. In addition, God might show him that he or she should accept more responsibility for his problems and not blame society.

So at what point does politics become boasting and self righteousness? At what point does a political activist become a punk? How should a Christian deal with politics?

Does this have to do with the Health care overhaul, does it have to do with Glenn Beck or does this have to do with the tea party?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Politics and religion are strange bedfellows indeed. We’ve seen people try to handle it a myriad of ways. My best friend tows the line 100% with the Republican Party. Government is evil and the private sector is holy. The public sector are leaches and are lackies for an evil government and yet he is a teacher? He’s a teacher in a union? Republicans hate unions. Then he is going to be drawing from a CALSTRS pension in about five years. Pensions thanks to unions and public sector, which he hates and despises. He’s all for the GOP idea that one must learn how to fish for himself, build a business or enterprise through ingenuity, and not be of a hand-out mentality. Suck-it-up thinking. Yet he has purchased his mini van with his rich mom’s money, bought a $2,000 bicycle with mom’s money, mommy pays for flights across the U.S., pays for his two boys’ tuition completely. He’s paid off his house because his money never goes anywhere else. He’s living the life of a leach of mommy and the public sector yet proclaims the Sarah Palin mantras and the Tea Party tunes…

I know Democrats who do the exact same thing. My grandparents complain about illegal immigrants yet vote Democrat. They hate hand-outs like Medicaid and food stamps but vote Obama. They are pro-choice and pro death penalty yet anti-gay and vote democrat?

Democrats and Republicans both have great evil about them. Both pander to the American people tapping into certain motivations and many of those motivations on both sides are NOT Christian. And usually both solutions stink. Take health care. A Democrat will recommend extending Medical and paying a person’s health care with our tax dollars completely. A GOPer will say, “tough luck bud, go pay for insurance like I am! Suck it up!” and if the person can’t afford it, “hey, not muh problem…” One wants complete gov’t dependence, the other doesn’t care at all and just says, “let’s do some tort reform and portability” (as if that will reform the whole system and get more coverage?)

Abortion is a great evil, generally embraced by the Left. Greed and war-mongering is a great evil, generally employed by the Right. Both do more harm than good.

Guys like Chesterton recommended Distributism. I read about it and it seems a pipedream as well as unrealistic and quasi-socialistic.

The more I watch the high-spending reckless idiocy of the Obama Administration along with the brick-throwing, spitting, cussing, anti everything on the Right, I am more and more convinced I will vote independent, just to know I didn’t elect any of these twerps.

Shakespeare was right—Kill all the lawyers!

God says our righteousness comes from him. Almost all churches agree on this. However, people who are obessed with politics (wether CNN or Fox News style) tend to be self righteous. Why? Because they establish thier own views apart from praying to God. If people prayed to God then God would show them thier own faults.

For example, God might show a Fox News viewer that his beliefs have made him racist and uncaring to the poor. Now of course, I, myself, agree the government shouldn’t be called on to help people. However, Christians called on to help people. Maybe God would show the Fox news viewer that he neglects the poor and has a bad attitude about them.

What about the left wing? God might show some black person that he is racist and isn’t kind toward whites. In addition, God might show him that he or she should accept more responsibility for his problems and not blame society.

So at what point does politics become boasting and self righteousness. At what point does a political activist become a punk? How should a Christian deal with politics?

 

[blazerdave]

Democrats and Republicans both have great evil about them. Both pander to the American people tapping into certain motivations and many of those motivations on both sides are NOT Christian. And usually both solutions stink.

As my old preaching professor used to say, “Talk, sir!”

 

[jasontn]

Does this have to do with the Health care overhaul, does it have to do with Glenn Beck or does this have to do with the tea party?

Well, actually I disagree with the health care overhaul. I even agree with a lot of “small government” ideas. But I don’t really like Fox News because it’s a hotbed of self righteousness.

But you know, the left wing is self righteous also. They are always blaming capitalism, white people and demand the government takes care of them. They are very racist yet complain about racism. How can somebody be a Christian who hates whites and views them as oppressive pigs??

The Bible says people should work for thier money; and it says people shouldn’t hold grudges.

Democrats and Republicans both have great evil about them. Both pander to the American people tapping into certain motivations and many of those motivations on both sides are NOT Christian. And usually both solutions stink.

Exactly:thumbsup:

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I agree jason. The Dems love to apologize to the whole world about what a great evil the United States is and how oppressive we’ve been when, in reality, we’ve been more generous, charitable, and a force of good than any nation in history. Then the GOP takes that sentiment and does the flag-waving off the deep end patriotic ‘you’re with me or against me’ better dead than red mumbo jumbo.

Fox News can get on my nerves and MSNBC is off-the-hook liberal lefty socialist, too. Keith Olbermann is the most annoying man on earth. And talk radio is equally gross and obscene. Rush Limbaugh is a vile man spewing venom and obscenities and pure selfish greed and partisan warfare at all costs. Then you have the equally appauling and rank blowhard Bill Maher, who offends my sensibilities more than anyone. Where’s Ross Perot when I need him? LOL

Well, actually I disagree with the health care overhaul. I even agree with a lot of “small government” ideas. But I don’t really like Fox News because it’s a hotbed of self righteousness.

But you know, the left wing is self righteous also. They are always blaming capitalism, white people and demand the government takes care of them. They are very racist yet complain about racism. How can somebody be a Christian who hates whites and views them as oppressive pigs??

The Bible says people should work for thier money; and it says people shouldn’t hold grudges.

Exactly:thumbsup:

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Abortion is a great evil, generally embraced by the Left. Greed and war-mongering is a great evil, generally employed by the Right. Both do more harm than good.

I just like to make a small note: War and wealth aren’t necessarily condemned by the Church. Gay marriage and abortion on the other hand are and are pretty much the iconic agendas of modern day liberalism. Even if you define yourself as independent, there are more liberal ideas condemned by Catholicism than conservative ones as far as our religion’s few political stances on certain issues goes. Stuff like self-defense (be it of a country defending itself via war, a society defending itself via death penalty, or even just personal self-defense via gun control) still leaves room to discuss as far as the Catechism is concerned. Abortion and gay marriage on the other hand is something we have long taken a firm stance against and that’s not going to change. It doesn’t take a few politicians and religious excommunicated for advocating those things to make that point.

 

[mariahloves]

The only news shows I watch are Andersoon Cooper and Glenn Beck, does that make me a giant contradiction?

Anyway I think people need to seperate politics and religion because politicans use religious to push their usually hidden agenda, not because they’re really pious people.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

God says our righteousness comes from him. Almost all churches agree on this. However, people who are obessed with politics (wether CNN or Fox News style) tend to be self righteous. Why? Because they establish thier own views apart from praying to God. If people prayed to God then God would show them thier own faults.

For example, God might show a Fox News viewer that his beliefs have made him racist and uncaring to the poor. Now of course, I, myself, agree the government shouldn’t be called on to help people. However, Christians called on to help people. Maybe God would show the Fox news viewer that he neglects the poor and has a bad attitude about them.

What about the left wing? God might show some black person that he is racist, jealous, envious and isn’t kind toward whites. In addition, God might show him that he or she should accept more responsibility for his problems and not blame society.

So at what point does politics become boasting and self righteousness? At what point does a political activist become a punk? How should a Christian deal with politics?

If a Christian goes into politics, he should first of all be sure God is calling him to it, otherwise he will just end up in a lot of spiritual hot water. However there are people who have the necessary gifts and whom God wants to be political.

The main danger is that, as my old pastor once commented to me, “People’s politics tends to become their religion.” Instead of serving the people, they end up thinking “My party right or wrong”, or more accurately, “My party is always right”.

I do get a bit cynical about Americans, and American politicians, thinking God is always on their side. Charles Colson once stated to a Soviet politician that he and fellow Americans, believed that “the right to emigrate … was God-given to everyone”. He thought he detected the ghost of a grin on the face of the old hardline doctinaire Communist.

Not long after, he was in jail on charges related to Watergate. His Christianity was purely lip service. He went on to found Prison Fellowship, after release. If you wanted to get a comment from someone about Christians in politics, why not write to him?

 

[peary]

God says our righteousness comes from him. Almost all churches agree on this. However, people who are obessed with politics (wether CNN or Fox News style) tend to be self righteous. Why? Because they establish thier own views apart from praying to God. If people prayed to God then God would show them thier own faults.

For example, God might show a Fox News viewer that his beliefs have made him racist and uncaring to the poor. Now of course, I, myself, agree the government shouldn’t be called on to help people. However, Christians called on to help people. Maybe God would show the Fox news viewer that he neglects the poor and has a bad attitude about them.

What about the left wing? God might show some black person that he is racist, jealous, envious and isn’t kind toward whites. In addition, God might show him that he or she should accept more responsibility for his problems and not blame society.

So at what point does politics become boasting and self righteousness? At what point does a political activist become a punk? How should a Christian deal with politics?

First of all, to single out viewers of FOXNews or even CNN as self-righteous is about as ridiculous as one can get. Praying to God ALSO shows one as to where to go politically (read CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING), and that goes either for Democrats or Republicans, or even independents. We are to be IN the world but not OF it. We are also here to help usher in the Kingdom of God. Not to get involved in politics or justice issues is what is incomprehensible to me.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I think we all should get involved, issue by issue though. Partisanship is at an all-time high (which makes America at a low) and people are kool-aid drinkers right now. Either you’re on the side of total government solution and you have to worship the cult of personality of Barack Obama, or you are a total government stinks drone who worships the moose-killing you-betcha mindlessness of Sarah Palin. If you don’t adore Obama you’re ostracized on the Left. If you don’t adore Ms. Sarah on the Right, you’re “not conservative enough” and branded the RINO (republican in name only) monicker. I happen to not like nor truth either one of these goons.

I go issue by issue. I hate abortion, hate stem cell research on fetal tissue, hate wars that are not provoked like Iraq (Afghanistan I’m ok with), hate constant tax increases, like regulation in some areas and not in others, hate the insurance companies and find their record profits while increasing premiums DISGUSTING (they need to be regulated!), but I hate the excessive envrionmental scare tactics. I hate the apologizing to the world tour but also hate that wearing the flag on our sleeves mumbo jumbo (with us or against us!), hate high interest rates, love unions as I am in one and am darn glad I am (!!), hate Medicare and would like to see it scaled back, am in favor of the second amendment and gun owners’ rights, am against gay rights, am against gay marriage, am against illegal immigration, am against the Obamacare bill, etc.

I’m an issue voter. I don’t tow party lines and keep to the talking point bullets that the Tea Party folks want or the nut cases from the MoveOn.org crowd. I’m my own man and don’t need to have a political catechism. That’s my five cents (I went over my two! LOL)

First of all, to single out viewers of FOXNews or even CNN as self-righteous is about as ridiculous as one can get. Praying to God ALSO shows one as to where to go politically (read CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING), and that goes either for Democrats or Republicans, or even independents. We are to be IN the world but not OF it. We are also here to help usher in the Kingdom of God. Not to get involved in politics or justice issues is what is incomprehensible to me.

 

[O.S.Luke]

Can Christians be in politics? Yes. Can they align themselves with the Democratic or Republican party? Doubtful.

To quote Alexis de Tocqueville: “There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.”

Quite.

 

[AJTheMan]

I’m starting to develop the view that one cannot be both fully dedicate to their religion and fully dedicated to legislating for the people.

Someone who is in congress needs to put the people first. When they are religious, they cannot put the people before their religion.

So I think that it’s hard to be both fully religious and fully dedicated to the people. One needs to compromise one or the other. A “religious” person would have to vote against his religion to benefit liberty in some cases.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

That is a fabulous quote, Luke, love it!

Can Christians be in politics? Yes. Can they align themselves with the Democratic or Republican party? Doubtful.

To quote Alexis de Tocqueville: “There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.”

Quite.

 

[mariahloves]

First of all, to single out viewers of FOXNews or even CNN as self-righteous is about as ridiculous as one can get. Praying to God ALSO shows one as to where to go politically (read CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING), and that goes either for Democrats or Republicans, or even independents. We are to be IN the world but not OF it. We are also here to help usher in the Kingdom of God. Not to get involved in politics or justice issues is what is incomprehensible to me.

Well Fox news has become this cultural thing in America, like a stereotype or whatever. Stereotype: white, usually male, middle class, Christian, conservative, sexist, racist, hypocrtical. I didn’t know there was a CNN stereotype. But I agree with you, we were not put here on earth to get into politics but we do need to make sure we have basic rights in our country such as freedom of press, religion, speech, peaceful assembly, etc.