What would the Gospel say about current events? How would Jesus vote?
Church members enjoyed coffee and politics at an open forum discussion held Monday (January 9th) at Messiah Lutheran Church (MLC) in Constantine. Moderators were Rev. Dennis Smith and Council President Andy Rockwell.
It was the first of four discussions. Subsequent ones will be Monday, January 16th, Monday, February 6th and Monday, February 13th. All sessions begin at 6:30 p.m.
Moderators Rev. Dennis Smith and Council President Andy Rockwell led an open forum discussion on the Gospel and current events on Monday at Messiah Lutheran Church in Constantine. It was the first of four discussions.
Smith and Rockwell briefly outlined the ideological boundaries of both liberal and conservative politics as practiced today and classically conceived.
“Our goal is to offer the public a forum to talk to one another, broaden our spectrum,” Rev. Smith said. “I pray we become wiser and more discerning in the democratic process.”
Members were asked to list the responsibilities of our government: protect property, defend our country, govern people fairly, provide cohesiveness, provide roads and bridges, fairly represent minorities, the majority rules, public safety, set laws, public health, regulate public institutions, education and spend taxes wisely.
Persons voted on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the most favorable) on how well the government was living up to the responsibility of each item.
It was noted the majority of scores were 3-7 or “middle of the road.”
A discussion was held on whether political rhetoric you hear addresses the political philosophies. Do candidates articulate fairly? “I think candidates say what they think I want to hear to get into office,” Veleta Smith said. “I’m going to vote for who is going to do the most for me,” Matt Kantkauskus added.
The next session will cover Biblical and social ethics with an overview of the economy in Biblical times.
For information call (269) 435-9785.
Source: Story and photo contributed by Angie Birdsall.
….”What would the Gospel say about current events? How would Jesus vote?” So that’s the big question?…Normally I like to keep my religion separate from my politics but since some folks are forming some kinda exploratory forum, lemme give this a shot.
Just as a general overview. I think this is perhaps a good exploration because I see nothing less than divine intervention will ever get us out of this deficit and rut we are in. Having Him send in like a write in ballot, would sure take all the guesswork out of topics like abortion, same sex marriages, stem cell research, right to die, and the death penalty.. It’d be nice to hear the position directly from the source rather than those claiming to be His mouthpiece for furthering their agenda cloaked in His name.
Forgive me—I don’t know how Jesus would vote, but be careful what you wish for. I think the last time God cast a vote in how people were running things down here, the way the story goes, some guy building a really big boat had to gather animals in two’s for the big wet “do-over” vote. So with that as a reference point and what we see in government at all levels these days, I think its one of those things that if you aren’t prepared for the answer you better not ask the question…I kinda envision something like Him shaking the bejesus out of Washington DC like a big friggen etcha sketch for a clean screen like another big do-over….and then maybe a little daytrip over to Lansing for a bit of the same……but that’s just me.
Top 10 things folks might ask Him to weigh in on
1) Dems would have asked why he couldn’t have done a variation of the burning Bush trick to ole W.
2) Dimpled chads?—Seriously
3) We want world peace but could he start with getting the Republican presidential candidates to play nice in the sandbox with each other.
4) OK…what’s the real story on the President’s birth certificate
5) Octomom??? OK, what was He thinking there.
6) Can you help us pass a regulation that helps address the issue of 10 hotdogs per pack and 8 hotdog buns per pack…..I gotta buy like 80 of each to get it to friggen even out.
7) Can we get His blessing on stem cell research just long enough to use the technology to help a few politicians grow a brain?
8. I have a request… All of the folks that created the need for all this bailout stuff and making millions of off it. All these CEO’s that got golden parachutes while we bailed out their companies from all of their self serving practices….can we give them a ticket to the Express line to Hell….no waiting on aisle 3.
9) Would He kindly explain that even though He created this planet in less than a week, there’s no way even He could keep up with the stopping number of zero’s added to the nation’s debt.
10) We need his help in screening good government candidates for public office….maybe some kinda inherent visual indicator or a test–something as reliable as a paternity test or DNA testing. I dunno how he might do it for female candidates but maybe any male running for office have them take a viagra as a test….if they get taller and they can’t get through the doorway without ducking…..then we’ll know not to vote for them.
Can I get an AMEN to any of these?
In closing, if you want to compare and contrast religion and politics—-just remember that once upon a time a few thousand years ago, turning water in to wine was regarded as a sacred miracle….today its simply 5-10 years in prison and a heckuva fine for making and distribution of untaxed liquor. So I’m not sure if we’ve progressed as much as we sometimes give ourselves credit for.
unbefrickenlieveable, next Monday, Dec. 16, 6:30pm. See you there?
Sportsman, thank you for the invite. Normally, I’d say yes and take you up on it (since my wife and I were married at that church in 1996). But alas, I will be in route back to work across state. And like I said in my opening remark in my initial post….normally I don’t like to mix my politics and religion…it’s inherently a recipe for volatility. But thanks just the same