Why do Christians support political parties and join armed forces?

1. 72

   Insightful Tigerposted 9 years ago

   Why do Christians support political parties and join armed forces?
   
   If Jesus said "put down your sword", "pray for your enemies" , "my kingdom is no part of this world", preached about the "kingdom of heaven" and called Satan the "ruler of this world" why do Christians support political parties and join armed forces?
   
   

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2. 88

   Jackie Lynnleyposted 9 years ago

   Christian or not we are human. We must choose politically don't we? It is our country and we must support who we think will keep it more Christian in my opinion. Who will do what is right. As far as armed forces Christian men have been drafted and it would be pretty hard to get out of that although not impossible but I am so glad Christian men and women do fight for us. God has sent many men into battle so I would not judge that even if I too would prefer no killing. We do need good warriors as we can see today in this age of terrorists. I would prefer ones protecting me be Christian.

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   1. 72

      Insightful Tigerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I agree God's people, the Israelites, battled when they were identified by their nationality . After Jesus came, God's people could now be Gentiles and Christians are now found in all countries, even America! So why don't they lay down their swords?

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3. 71

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   Every group backs the party they believe will support their stance on issues. I suspect people have always gone to war when they believed their way of life is being threatened.
   To my knowledge no religion condones killing and yet there are members of every sect that elect to kill people.
   The founding fathers of the U.S. stated in the Declaration of Independence
   "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
   However they were supporting the slave trade and did not allow women to vote. History is filled with hypocrisy. Many members of the KKK consider themselves to be Christians.
   So much for "Love thy neighbor as thyself."
   Most religious people "cherry pick" the scripture verses they will follow and pray for forgiveness on the ones they choose to ignore.

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   1. 72

      Insightful Tigerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I also believe that many people are "wanting to have their ears tickled". I appreciate your point about the US Declaration of Independence and the KKK. Very interesting. You made me think of those things in a new light. Thank you.

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4. 78

   Electro-Denizenposted 9 years ago

   It is weird isn't it. Buddha too taught detachment from earthly things, while also developing deep compassion for all beings.
   
   I suppose Christian practice is part of a social structure and belief system, rather than deep self-questioning and self-observation etc. Rather more harshly, a mystic said Christians shouldn't even call themselves Christians, as the most basic precepts don't seem to be understood.
   
   On the other hand, in the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna doesn't want to go into battle when he learns his brother is in the opposing army, but Krishna basically says don't worry about it, just do your duty, it's all part of God's play anyway...

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   1. 72

      Insightful Tigerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes it is weird. In WWII the clergy was blessing both sides of the battle.  Pope Pius XII  actually supported Hitler.
      Even Gandhi said that the problem wasn't with Christ and his teachings, but rather with Christians.

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5. 55

   DannoManposted 9 years ago

   In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a religious person. That said, however, I can still respect someone's right to believe in whatever they wish so long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. I don't fault Christians for feeling a sense of duty toward country and going off to war in that cause. But typically, it seems, the cause can be questioned, so perhaps Christians should do a bit more of this questioning before eagerly going off to kill. Some religious people do. Remember Muhammad Ali and the price he paid for his religious beliefs.
   
   As for politics, it is a cesspool into which anyone, Christian or otherwise, should have their head examined before diving in. But in our system it is a necessary evil. And it must be remembered that some sects do, in fact, refuse both military service and recognition of political parties. The Jehovah's Witnesses come to mind.
   
   Personally, I believe one can be devoted to religious beliefs and still be committed to finding the difference between right and wrong on a political spectrum. But you ask specifically about Christians. Whether really strict Christians holding firmly to biblical doctrine can do this without violating their religious beliefs is a very good question.
   
   And perhaps most importantly, while religion can be consulted for personal decisions, including political ones, it should not be a factor in political policy making. The separation of church and state is there for a reason. those who argue against the separation clearly don't understand the reason.

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   1. 72

      Insightful Tigerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You bring up a good point about the separation between church and state. I think of when the churches in D.R. influenced their parishioners to support Trujillo. After 30 years of his bloody tyranny, the churches had to apologize to the people of D.R.

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      The0NatureBoyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      As a Atheist-Christian I see what this nation should do as https://hubpages.com/politics/The-U-S-C … ons-Spirit shows. When only Christian I went to Vietnam but had I lived the Bible's concept of Christian as I do now I would not have.

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   Sri Tposted 9 years ago

   Let's be realistic. Everybody knows you have to fight to stay free. No country can just turn the other cheek on invaders. In order to enjoy freedom, you have to back people off of you. Man will always want to take what others have. That's what terrorists are all about. Unless there is a higher, spiritual way of backing off terrorists or preventing other countries from coming in and taking over, you have to have weapons and be ready to battle at any moment, Christian or non-Christian.

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   1. 72

      Insightful Tigerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You make a good point. "a higher, spiritual" power must step in. Jesus spoke of God's kingdom. Daniel also spoke of it in Daniel 2:44.
      I understand fear of the consequences of laying down your weapon, but what's the alternative? Becoming a murderer.

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   2. 56

      The0NatureBoyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      The U.S.A has never been invaded, not  WW 1 & 2, Vietnam nor 9/11 they were government acts of treason, so why are we in so many wars anyway? But Revelation 6:2 reveals what Constantine did which Catholicism followed & all denomination came f

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7. 60

   Kiss andTalesposted 9 years ago

   John 13:15 simply says
   New World Translation
   Joh 13:15For I set the pattern for you, that just as I did to you, you should also do.
   
   New World Translation
   1Pe 2:21In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely.
   
   And he said to them: “Whose image and inscription is this?”21 They said: “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them: “Pay back,a therefore, Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.”
   
   Jesus showed a complete separation of support of Ceasars government at that time period,
   
   John 18:36 simply
   New World Translation
   Joh 18:36Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.”
   
   If his Government is not of this earthly source he support, then who is it source. Notice ! New World Translation
   Joh 12:31Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
   
   New World Translation
   Re 12:9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.
   
   Yes this is very clear who is controlling world powers and events around the world. But he will be cast out of office of that Authority.

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   1. 72

      Insightful Tigerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for the scriptures. I see the point you are making. Jesus is clearly not saying that anarchy is the goal. Rather the point is that if you are loving and peaceful as he was, then you would not war against your brother in any country.

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   2. 56

      The0NatureBoyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      That is why I said "They are not Christians" according to the Bible's definition of it.

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8. 56

   The0NatureBoyposted 7 years ago

   The short answer is "they are not Christians" because Acts 11:19-26 defines Christians as people following the example of the man called Christ.
   
   The Christ’s teachings to his followers in Israel reveal how anyone believing his message would be recognized by living as he had. First he proclaimed a “new birth” – I call metamorphosis – is necessary before anyone can began to live or understand his message, therefore I’m presenting John 3:8 first. I follow that by giving you his houseless state in Matthew 8:20, then his telling us we have to forsake almost everything civilization has to offer located 19:29 and what is called “the Great Commandment” located 28:19-20 of his works for your reading. I could give even more from Matthew and go through Mark, Luke and John’s writings but that would be redundant for they all are all restating the words found in Genesis 2:24 with my clarifying in brackets. “Therefore shall a man [both genders] leave [the conditionings of] his [or her] father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife [or her husband] and they [their feminine and masculine attributes] shall be [come] one [in their] flesh.” Thus, anyone knowledgeable of the scriptures should be able to recognize Christians by living differently from the world called civilization while sharing their understanding of his teachings.
   
   Without living as instructed how can we call ourselves Christians?

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9. 60

   stas karimovposted 7 years ago

   I do not think that Christians serve God.
   First evidence
   Christians refuse to create the Kingdom of God on Earth!
   The second proof
   Christians refuse to create an information filter! They see that there is no truth in the world and they like it!
   Third evidence
   Christians see ISIS. Christians see terrorism. Christians see wars. Christians do not want to stop wars and violence - Christians refuse to create universal weapon!!!
   I do not need a fourth proof - do you need it?

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   1. 56

      The0NatureBoyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Christians are to be the Kingdom of god (Luke 17:21) and god does all things (Isaiah 45:7) so your "I do not think that Christians serve God" is an error, what everyone does is serving god so that is not the reason.

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