Slogan/motto:
Hebrews 11:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently
Reputation:
WHY the "TEA PARTY" is UNCHRISTIAN -
July 10th, 2012, 09:06 PM
WHY the "TEA PARTY" is UNCHRISTIAN
-by Andrew Strom.
I write this as a conservative evangelical Christian. I am anti-abortion
and hold all the usual 'conservative' views. But I have come to believe
that the Tea Party is one of the most misguided and misleading
movements in America - especially since it claims to be so "Christian".
I saw a piece written by pro-Tea Party activist recently who quoted
statistics saying that the majority of Tea Party members are
evangelical Christians. He coined the term, "Teavangelicals". He
says they are going to have a new Awakening and "Take Back
America". I don't know what kind of "Awakening" he is talking
about, but it is very different from the true spiritual Awakenings of
the past. America certainly needs a Revival. But not the kind that
these guys are pushing. I believe it is a counterfeit of the real thing.
And if we fall for the counterfeit, then the true can be utterly lost.
So what exactly is the problem with the "Teavangelicals"? Below
is a very basic list of things that, in my view, make this movement
truly un-Christlike and unchristian:-
(1) -An Unhealthy Mixing of Christianity with Nationalism-.
When you "wrap the cross in the flag" so-to-speak, you instantly
distort the entire message and essence of Christianity. You are
taking two totally different "kingdoms" and mixing them together.
Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world." So in mixing
Christianity with Nationalism, you are totally distorting what His
kingdom truly stands for. Thus you get "Patriotic" actions such
as saluting the flag or the Pledge of Allegiance being seen as
"Christian" things to do. Marching off to war becomes a "Christian"
activity. The two "kingdoms" are being completely confused. There
is a great deal of this happening in the church in America right
now - and the Tea Party is really pushing it. -Utterly distorting
what real Christianity is all about.
(2) -Being Basically the Biggest Supporters of WAR in America-.
(This is closely related to # 1). One US commentator seriously
stated that without the support of the American Christians the war
would be over much quicker - because they are the staunchest
and strongest supporters of War in the whole country. Now, can
you imagine Jesus being like this? Can you imagine Him telling
his disciples, "I want you to support military invasions and the
shooting, killing and destroying of thousands of people"? -Because
that is what WAR is. Does it sound "Christian" to you? Can we
find anywhere in the New Testament where true Christians had
this attitude? NO! They wouldn't have dreamed of being the biggest
supporters of War in their generation! Just think what a terrible
testimony this is today - to all the unbelievers who are watching.
How un-Christlike. No wonder they call us "War-mongers".
(3) -Siding with the Rich and Against the Poor-. This is the exact
opposite of Jesus - as we see again and again in the gospels and
the entire New Testament. Pay close attention to the following
words of Christ- "Woe to you that are rich, for you have received
your comfort" (Lk 6:24), "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of heaven" (Mt 19:23) and "You cannot serve God and
Money." (Mt 6:24). Jesus also said: "Blessed be you poor, for
yours is the kingdom of heaven" (Lk 6:20) and "I have come to
preach good news to the poor" (Lk 4:18).
Can you imagine Jesus coming across like today's "Tea Party"
Christians - where they seem utterly against the cause of the poor,
and totally for the Rich and the 'Big Money' interests? Perhaps we
have forgotten that Big Business exists largely for MAMMON and
GREED. Can anybody tell me anything "Christian" about that?
4. -Pushing the Idea that "Political" Answers can Solve America's
Problems-. To me, this is the worst deception of all - the idea that
America's problems can mainly be solved with "Political" activism,
or a change of government, or a new President. The USA's problems
are almost entirely SPIRITUAL. It is because she has lost her way
SPIRITUALLY that is causing all the other problems. And to get
the Christians all caught up in a "Political" movement is a total
distraction. A PRAYER movement - Yes! A "Political" movement -
NO! It will not solve the problems in any real way at all. In fact, it
is like a "counterfeit" Awakening - to push the Christians into
Political activism instead of focusing on the SPIRITUAL. It is like
a false savior - a "pseudo" solution. The problems in America are
Spiritual - and they need Spiritual answers. Not this "counterfeit"
that gets everybody caught up in Political fights.
In summary, I want to say that I believe that many of the attitudes
and behaviours of the "Tea Party" evangelicals in America are
totally un-Christlike and unchristian. They come across as ugly,
mean-spirited and anger-filled. It is awful to see real believers
caught up in anything so unlike Jesus.
I would like to challenge every Christian reading this to forward it
to your conservative friends. Tell them to come and meet me over
at our discussion board, if they think they can prove me wrong.
I am open. If they think they can prove from the New Testament
that Christians should be thinking and behaving the way these
"Tea Party" people behave, then let them come. I will be waiting.
THE CHALLENGE is LAID DOWN.
Here is the link to our Discussion Board to post your comments-
Link removed
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
--
YES! - You have permission to post these emails to friends
or other groups, boards, etc - unless there is a Copyright
notice above which says differently.
Last edited by Delmar; July 12th, 2012 at 01:48 AM.
Reason: remove link
I'm not a TEAparty member, nor have I attended a TEAparty event of any kind.
I could agree with some of the points you make, but...I don't think the majority of TEApartiers are ugly and mean-spirited. That's quite the broad brush.
NO, God gave up on your Satanic Organization a long time ago.
I just stopped railing against you poor deluded, brainwashed biblical illiterates.
Oh isn't there something better you can spend your energy, thoughts, words on?
Quote:
Originally Posted by OMEGA
Have a nice Day .
Yeah. Like that.
"There was so much handwriting on the wall that even the wall fell down"
"In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas. The source of better ideas is wisdom. The surest path to wisdom is a liberal education." – Alfred Whitney, Essays on Education
Don't you know
That it ain't a crime
If all the squares
And the junkmen
Think you're out of line
God's soon coming Kingdom combines Church and State .
We as Christians are supposed to Pray for the Government so that,
us Real Christians will not be persecuted and get the Gospel out.
There were times in the Bible when God's People Ruled in their Governments.
But nowadays the Government is very complicated and though there
are Christians in this Government, the individual Christians are told by
Jesus to be Humble and Quiet and Peaceable workers and thus cannot
attain to Great Leadership like President Lincoln did in the past.
1Th 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business,
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Isa 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err;
and they that are led of them are destroyed.
Da 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Slogan/motto:
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
Isaiah 1:17
Reputation:
July 10th, 2012, 10:06 PM
I agree with the basic premise of this post, but the problem goes far beyond the Tea party since the Tea party is really just the extremist elements of the Republican party. It's had most of the elements listed for quite some time, especially starting With George W. Bush.
“We do not believe in God because we need to explain this or that feature of the world. That is what science is for. We believe in God because we see something deeper in the world, something that transcends the scientific explanations.” - Karl Giberson Ph.D.
Slogan/motto:
"Fables should be taught as fables, myths as myths, and miracles as poetic fancies.
To teach superstitions as truths is a most terrible thing."
Hypatia of Alexandria (370 - 415 AD)
Reputation:
July 10th, 2012, 10:09 PM
Quote:
(1) -An Unhealthy Mixing of Christianity with Nationalism-
They are no better than the conservative Islamists. They may not shoot women dead in front of a cheering crowd but they are just as disgusting:
Ron Paul states that he would not be left to die... But the crowds reaction is just plain disgusting and shows the deep seeded hatred that conservatism fosters in the hearts of people. Just like the Taliban.
They are no better than the conservative Islamists. They may not shoot women dead in front of a cheering crowd but they are just as disgusting:
To be just as disgusting, they'd have to take an equivalent action. Assertions like that do your argument no favors.
Quote:
Ron Paul states that he would not be left to die... But the crowds reaction is just plain disgusting and shows the deep seeded hatred that conservatism fosters in the hearts of people. Just like the Taliban.
It's one or two voices in the crowd. Not admirable, but not the entire crowd, let alone all conservatives. By the way, IIRC, Ron Paul goes on to state - beyond where the clip ends - that federal law mandates that the patient be cared for. That federal law was signed during Ronald Reagan's administration.
"There was so much handwriting on the wall that even the wall fell down"
"In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas. The source of better ideas is wisdom. The surest path to wisdom is a liberal education." – Alfred Whitney, Essays on Education
Don't you know
That it ain't a crime
If all the squares
And the junkmen
Think you're out of line
Linear Mode
