Welcome to Political Agenda, the site designed to promote thinking. That said, I look forward to your insights and challenges to the position I have forwarded this week; the Christian worldview in politics.
This is an interesting look at Christianity in politics. I agree that it is impossible for any person, including those in (or seeking) public office to not see things through the "glasses" of their worldview. This goes for anyone following a particular way of thinking (which we all have)...atheists, agnostics and those who consider themselves "without religion" included.
Hannah 1 has captured my point precisely. All people are unavoidably religious. If the next president of our country conducts him or herself without ever acknowledging God, should I as a Christian cry, separation of church and state because the president is espousing Atheism? Should I be offended because He or She never acknowledges God?
No one is saying politicians can’t be themselves. We just want our leaders to solve the problems that come across their table, nothing more, nothing less. The constitution is our highest Law, not the bible.
Nice name by the way. Do you know me personally? In any case, indeed the constitution is our highest law and I can say without any fear of contradiction that a Christian president could uphold the constitution with a clear conscience, given the fact that it was framed by Christian or at the very least by people who were sympathetic to the Christian worldview. The constitution itself affirms my point of view and precludes your own; you read the constitution and you see and hear the worldview of the authors pouring into it.
I think there are very valid points in the discussion and I totally agree that we cannot expect anyone to put aside their true worldview when making decisions for our country. The problem I have with this is how do we really know the true worldviews of these potential leaders? It seems to me that there is an inherent pressure for potentially great atheist/agnostistic leaders to hide their non-belief by claiming to be religious. I am not ready to except that a Christian politician with a corresponding worldview is pressured to claim his/herself as non-religious; therefore I believe that a bias exists on this subject.
Being a Christian myself, I do have a tendency to present problems from a Christian’s point of view. See I agree with you that both Christian and non-Christian politicians experience forces that act upon them from we the people, that make them the politician want to veil who they really are. If you read or listened to my presentation, you will note a strong reprimand for anyone who asks a politician, after he or she is elected, to suppress their underlying presuppositions whether theistic or atheistic. I am simply saying that there is no constitutional support for choosing the Christian worldview or any worldview for that matter (although Christians get it the worst) as one that violates the Church – State separation. One more thing, all of us will find ourselves in situations where we are tempted to lie fearing the consequences. We need to in those circumstances, have the integrity to speak the truth. Likewise, politicians who fear rejection for their beliefs should,... speak the truth about their beliefs and face rejection. That assumes of course that they love the country above their own selfish goals. I know, integrity is in short supply in Washington but that just indexes how much we the people need to pay attention and do the hard work of vetting our politicians.
Danian, great blog. I agree with parts of your blog, however, disagree with others. I don't expect leaders to completely ignore their world view when writing and enforcing legislation, however, I do get concerned when leaders follow religious doctrine and views, over that of tried and true science. Example; AIDS relief in Africa. The Bush administration has given millions of our tax dollars in fighting AIDS in Africa; however, it was a faith based initiative, which focused on abstaining from sex, as opposed to practicing safe sex. I thought it was common knowledge that young people are going to have sex, whether or not the Christian faith believes it is a sin to do so before you're married. The facts are facts, wearing a condom while having sex protects you from acquiring the HIV virus. Preaching about the sins of sex didn't work on U.S. soil, what makes anyone think it would work on Africa. I would probably describe myself as an atheist, and do not believe that some of the Christian views should be imposed on us by our political leaders. However, I do believe that if leaders that claimed themselves as Christians, acted a little more like Jesus Christ himself, this world would be in a much better place. Instead of focusing on the 10 commandments, maybe we could focus on following the golden rule?? this country used to be the shining light in the world. We stood for freedom, high morals, hard work, and opportunity for all. We have spun into a downward spiral of corporate greed, selfishness at all levels, and a world view that we are right about everything, and if you don't agree, you're the bad guy, and you'll be disappeared to a CIA black sight until we say you can go.
First thank you for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it. So to your response, I really appreciate many of the points you made, for example I agree with you that Christians ought not think of Science as an adversary and that is probably a failing on our part when we do. For what it’s worth, that is not my position. With regards to how a faith based organization would handle AIDS; now I would agree with you that condoms do work,… when they are used, and therein lies the rub. It seems to me that you are held on the horns of the same dilemma of those who advocate abstinence; it works if people try it. Andy let me ask you a question; would you knowingly have sex with someone who has AIDS using a condom? I wouldn’t and I think most people would agree with me. Condoms are pretty common yet AIDS is still an epidemic in many countries. Even in the U.S. AIDS amongst Blacks is on the rise. How would you account for that? Condoms do not have the track record of abstinence, no one who has ever abstained from sex have ever gotten AIDS. What we have here is a sure fire way of getting rid of AIDS, do we not bare some responsibility in giving it a try, Christian or otherwise? Furthermore, faith based organizations do take and hand out plenty of condoms when trying to fight AIDS in countries like Africa, that is a fact but yes they do try to teach, if you want to sleep at night knowing with full confidence that I do not have AIDS, then don’t just have sex with anyone but with the person you are married to. Andy, this will end AIDS, condoms might. Now to our freedom and liberties as Americans; the picture you painted is a grim one I could not live here if that were the case, but again there has not been even one case filed against our government for civil rights infractions in light of the Patriot Act. People caught on a battle field shooting at you should be locked up until the war is over, but that has always been the case in ever war since World War One. As I live my life from day to day I don’t see any of my civil rights being infringed upon, have you? And perhaps you have, in which case you should sue and make a lot of money.
@The Terror The constitution is our highest Law, not the bible."
But in the beginning that was not so, though we may have erred from the original intent somewhat.
If holding to our Constitution as the highest law 'in the land', which it is, we can read it, along with the rest of our precious documents and rights, and see that God (and His word) are the basis for the Constitution. It's an amazing thing to read what the founders wrote and reflect on the country that was built from these visionaries. Though imperfect (and they warned of that along with solutions) it was an amazing success.
I am amazed and grateful for all the many ways that America has been a success. It's failures could better have been avoided or lessened by adhering to the Godly principles that it was founded on.
9 Comments:
This is an interesting look at Christianity in politics. I agree that it is impossible for any person, including those in (or seeking) public office to not see things through the "glasses" of their worldview. This goes for anyone following a particular way of thinking (which we all have)...atheists, agnostics and those who consider themselves "without religion" included.
Hannah 1 has captured my point precisely. All people are unavoidably religious. If the next president of our country conducts him or herself without ever acknowledging God, should I as a Christian cry, separation of church and state because the president is espousing Atheism? Should I be offended because He or She never acknowledges God?
Danian,
No one is saying politicians can’t be themselves. We just want our leaders to solve the problems that come across their table, nothing more, nothing less. The constitution is our highest Law, not the bible.
Nice name by the way. Do you know me personally? In any case, indeed the constitution is our highest law and I can say without any fear of contradiction that a Christian president could uphold the constitution with a clear conscience, given the fact that it was framed by Christian or at the very least by people who were sympathetic to the Christian worldview. The constitution itself affirms my point of view and precludes your own; you read the constitution and you see and hear the worldview of the authors pouring into it.
Danian,
I think there are very valid points in the discussion and I totally agree that we cannot expect anyone to put aside their true worldview when making decisions for our country. The problem I have with this is how do we really know the true worldviews of these potential leaders? It seems to me that there is an inherent pressure for potentially great atheist/agnostistic leaders to hide their non-belief by claiming to be religious. I am not ready to except that a Christian politician with a corresponding worldview is pressured to claim his/herself as non-religious; therefore I believe that a bias exists on this subject.
You misunderstood me Anonymous,
Being a Christian myself, I do have a tendency to present problems from a Christian’s point of view. See I agree with you that both Christian and non-Christian politicians experience forces that act upon them from we the people, that make them the politician want to veil who they really are. If you read or listened to my presentation, you will note a strong reprimand for anyone who asks a politician, after he or she is elected, to suppress their underlying presuppositions whether theistic or atheistic. I am simply saying that there is no constitutional support for choosing the Christian worldview or any worldview for that matter (although Christians get it the worst) as one that violates the Church – State separation. One more thing, all of us will find ourselves in situations where we are tempted to lie fearing the consequences. We need to in those circumstances, have the integrity to speak the truth. Likewise, politicians who fear rejection for their beliefs should,... speak the truth about their beliefs and face rejection. That assumes of course that they love the country above their own selfish goals. I know, integrity is in short supply in Washington but that just indexes how much we the people need to pay attention and do the hard work of vetting our politicians.
Danian, great blog.
I agree with parts of your blog, however, disagree with others. I don't expect leaders to completely ignore their world view when writing and enforcing legislation, however, I do get concerned when leaders follow religious doctrine and views, over that of tried and true science. Example; AIDS relief in Africa. The Bush administration has given millions of our tax dollars in fighting AIDS in Africa; however, it was a faith based initiative, which focused on abstaining from sex, as opposed to practicing safe sex. I thought it was common knowledge that young people are going to have sex, whether or not the Christian faith believes it is a sin to do so before you're married. The facts are facts, wearing a condom while having sex protects you from acquiring the HIV virus. Preaching about the sins of sex didn't work on U.S. soil, what makes anyone think it would work on Africa. I would probably describe myself as an atheist, and do not believe that some of the Christian views should be imposed on us by our political leaders. However, I do believe that if leaders that claimed themselves as Christians, acted a little more like Jesus Christ himself, this world would be in a much better place. Instead of focusing on the 10 commandments, maybe we could focus on following the golden rule?? this country used to be the shining light in the world. We stood for freedom, high morals, hard work, and opportunity for all. We have spun into a downward spiral of corporate greed, selfishness at all levels, and a world view that we are right about everything, and if you don't agree, you're the bad guy, and you'll be disappeared to a CIA black sight until we say you can go.
Andy,
First thank you for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it.
So to your response, I really appreciate many of the points you made, for example I agree with you that Christians ought not think of Science as an adversary and that is probably a failing on our part when we do. For what it’s worth, that is not my position. With regards to how a faith based organization would handle AIDS; now I would agree with you that condoms do work,… when they are used, and therein lies the rub. It seems to me that you are held on the horns of the same dilemma of those who advocate abstinence; it works if people try it. Andy let me ask you a question; would you knowingly have sex with someone who has AIDS using a condom? I wouldn’t and I think most people would agree with me. Condoms are pretty common yet AIDS is still an epidemic in many countries. Even in the U.S. AIDS amongst Blacks is on the rise. How would you account for that? Condoms do not have the track record of abstinence, no one who has ever abstained from sex have ever gotten AIDS. What we have here is a sure fire way of getting rid of AIDS, do we not bare some responsibility in giving it a try, Christian or otherwise? Furthermore, faith based organizations do take and hand out plenty of condoms when trying to fight AIDS in countries like Africa, that is a fact but yes they do try to teach, if you want to sleep at night knowing with full confidence that I do not have AIDS, then don’t just have sex with anyone but with the person you are married to. Andy, this will end AIDS, condoms might.
Now to our freedom and liberties as Americans; the picture you painted is a grim one I could not live here if that were the case, but again there has not been even one case filed against our government for civil rights infractions in light of the Patriot Act. People caught on a battle field shooting at you should be locked up until the war is over, but that has always been the case in ever war since World War One. As I live my life from day to day I don’t see any of my civil rights being infringed upon, have you? And perhaps you have, in which case you should sue and make a lot of money.
Hope you write again Andy.
@The Terror
The constitution is our highest Law, not the bible."
But in the beginning that was not so, though we may have erred from the original intent somewhat.
If holding to our Constitution as the highest law 'in the land', which it is, we can read it, along with the rest of our precious documents and rights, and see that God (and His word) are the basis for the Constitution. It's an amazing thing to read what the founders wrote and reflect on the country that was built from these visionaries. Though imperfect (and they warned of that along with solutions) it was an amazing success.
I am amazed and grateful for all the many ways that America has been a success. It's failures could better have been avoided or lessened by adhering to the Godly principles that it was founded on.
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