A question of voting right(s) By Robert T. Smith A large number of Christians voted for our current president. This opening sentence should cause us to contemplate our fellow Christians and the direction of the Church in America. "Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence" (Psalm 140:13). How are we to live in the presence of God? Among other issues of relevance to Christians, our current President has surrounded himself with those of the same or similar worldview, to help him administer America's government. Apparently knowing that these like-minded individuals' beliefs and thoughts would be unacceptable to many in our country, the President assigned them outside the Constitutional advice and consent process of the Senate, and titled them as Czars. In none of the old media, but in much of the new media these Presidential advisor Czars have received some scrutiny. A few of these individuals and their controversial activities and beliefs are presented as context herein. One of the President's like-minded individuals includesKevin Jennings, the President's Safe School Czar. It has been widely reported that when Mr. Jennings was a teacher, a 15 year old male student told Mr. Jennings he was having sex with an older man. Instead of reporting the older man to the authorities, Mr. Jennings asked the student how it was going and suggested they use condoms. Mr. Jennings wrote the introduction to the book Queering Elementary Education. Mr. Jennings is the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and promotes a pro-homosexual agenda in America's schools. If we engage in sinful behavior, or support those who do, how can we hope to be counted among His people. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). How do the actions of those we choose to vote for, donate to, or otherwise support reflect upon our own life in the presence of God? Another like-minded Presidential advisor is John Holdren, the President's Science Czar. Mr. Holdren is a fierce ideological environmentalist and humanist. He has put forth the notion that it would be Constitutional for the government to require abortions in certain circumstances and further proposed it acceptable for the government to add sterilants to drinking water or foods as a form of involuntary fertility control. He believes animals should be able to sue humans, no minion for humans in his thoughts. God is everywhere at all times. Nothing escapes His eyes. "Whither shall I go from thy spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence" (Psalm 139:7). The author of this Psalm goes on to say that there is no place he finds that is not in the presence of God. When voting our conscience, our secret ballot remains known only to whom; how shall we vote if we truly seek to live in the presence of God? A further example of the President's intellectual confidante advisors is Jeffrey Crowley, the President's AIDS Czar. Mr. Crowley is a homosexual and a gay rights activist. He believes in the oxymoronic notion of gay marriage and special status for gays, another Democrat "protected class." "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). How is it possible to separate our religious or church self from our public or everyday self, or even our vote-casting self? The Holy Bible is not a living document or ala-carte menu of items to be picked and chosen to suit our individual desires, passions, sinful behaviors, or the social foibles of the day. If the Holy Bible was so formless, it would be worthless, open to interpretation and any meaning depending upon an individual's preferences. As a body of literature, the Holy Bible speaks to God's relationship to his creation and includes his admonishments to live and do what is right, moral, and virtuous. The Holy Bible is not shaped by politics. We have voting rights as Christians too, a right to vote according to our conscience. Certainly those who prefer to not live in the presence of God would like Christians to keep our beliefs to ourselves; it being inappropriate in their view for Christians to reflect their life lived in the presence of God upon society. As a tool to drive Christian thought and practice into the shadows of our society, the Constitution is famously misused. The First Amendment to the Constitution was not to be applied to us, the people, individually or even collectively, but rather to act as the keep out sign to Congress alone to make no law establishing a religion or to prohibit the free practice thereof. Another tool used in an attempt to persuade Christians to silence is the verse from Luke 6:37: "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." Taken out of context, it is alleged to be an anything goes pass, that we cannot judge anybody else's behavior because we all fall short of perfection. Protesting against an idea or action, or trying to save someone from hurting themselves or others is not the same thing as judging them. When a Christian speaks or acts against false religious teaching, or sinful or immoral behavior, they are not guilty of improper judging. In fact, scripture directs Christians to do this. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).Living in the presence of God compels Christians to proclaim God's truth. Christians are expected to confront false teachings and sinful or immoral behavior. This is not the judgment discussed in Luke. Instead, this is correction that seeks to save our fellow man, a truly caring act. Christian judgment of right and wrong has been the impetus of many critical issues of history. As example is the Christian evangelist Charles Finney, who famoulsy spoke out and took action against slavery. Mr. Finney directly worked supporting the Underground Railroad, channeling escaped slaves to freedom from the southern states. Another Christian who judged right from wrong was John Newton, whose epiphany and subsequent advocacy regarding his own conversion over slavery stands as a historical act of Amazing Grace. Christian Wellesley Bailey set up a global organization to care for leprosy sufferers world wide. This global effort continues to this day in many of the poorest countries of the world. History is rife with examples of Christians judging right from wrong and speaking out or acting accordingly. Christian hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, safe houses for battered or abused wives, the list is almost endless. Our world is much better as a consequence of the judgment of right over wrong by Christians. Congregating as the people of God, the Church is a collection point for individual Christians living in the presence of God. Consider when it was that you last heard a position about the social issues of the day while at Church? Certainly the apple pie bake sale and petition to save the local park from development warranted mention during your congregated time, but typically nothing regarding the more pertinent issues of the day. Arguably, if he were alive today, St. Paul would cumulatively condemn the American Christians and their Church by name and in writing, refer to the Corinthians. As has been famously quoted, the problem with Christianity is Christians. Look about you as you sit in Church the next time you attend. A large number of Christians voted for our current President. The question that comes to mind, is a question of Voting Right(s). Robert T. Smith is an environmental scientist who spends his days enjoying life and the pursuit of happiness with his family. He confesses to cling to his liberty, guns and religion, with antipathy toward the arrogant ruling elites throughout the country.
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