Hi to my Forum Friends,
Recently, my Friend, Bart B., sent an e-mail to a number of his friends asking: "Would Jesus vote Republican or Democrat?'
A friend, Rolando, responded with his thoughts shown in the e-mail below. And, below that is my view, along with my reasons, of how I believe Jesus is viewing America today and in this coming presidential election. Many folks say, "I don't like any of the candidates; so, I am not going to vote." My Friends, that is a vote. Not voting is voting -- but, most often for the wrong person. We must, each of us, prayerfully consider all the issues -- and then vote for the person God has put upon our heart.
I will keep this introduction short -- and just say: This is, in my opinion, the most important presidential election in my lifetime -- and I am 71 years young. Don't refuse to vote. Pray, study the issues and the candidates -- then, vote your Christian conscience.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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Rolando wrote:
Here's my thought: I propose to paraphrase the question, "Who will Jesus Favor - the Republicans or the Democrats?"
My answer: the Democrats!
I borrow the quote of (our friend) Bart: "His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts."
Following the arguments of Bart, the Americans who LOVE LIFE will vote for the Republicans. That is the human mind. Because our ways and our thoughts are not HIS thoughts and ways, He will favor the Democrats. He has preferential option for the poor (in spirit). During His life on earth, He wanted to dine with tax collectors, publicans, and sinners.
In the diary of St. Faustina (1160), Jesus said, "I am prolonging the time of mercy for the sake of sinners. But woe to them if they do not recognize this time of My visitation."
Jesus, King of Mercy, may the whole world trust in You!
Rolando
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Hi to everyone,
Most of you do not know me; but, I am a long time friend of Bart B. My name is Bill Gray and I have had a Christian writing ministry for the past twenty years, having become a born-again Christian under the tutelage of Pastor Sam Lacanienta in 1987. Since then, my wife, Dory (a Filipina), and I have worshipped in Filipino-American churches in Southern California.
The question is asked: Would Jesus vote, support, or favor the Republicans or the Democrats? My response to that is He would favor neither; He would look, not at the secular party affiliation -- but, rather at the hearts of those seeking positions of leadership. He would "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:17).
I sincerely believe that Jesus would look at the issues, not at the people. When the Pharisees brought the adulteress before Jesus in their attempt to trick him with their oratory -- Jesus looked at the hearts of the Pharisees; not the sin of this woman. There He saw much darkness. Then, He brought them back to the real issue at hand -- what was in their hearts?
Don't you believe that Jesus would look into the hearts of those running for office; rather than their oratorical skills?
The real issues we should be considering -- and the ones I sincerely believe Jesus will be considering are:
1. Where do they stand on abortion? Are they willing to save His children or are they willing to sacrifice them to the Molech, god of recreational sex? Does anyone believe that Jesus would support killing, through abortion, 1.4 million unborn babies every year in America since 1973? I do not.
2. Where do they stand on the issue of Biblical Marriage? Marriage was instituted by God; God officiated at the very first wedding. Genesis 1:27 tells us, "And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them: male and female He created them." Everything God created was for a specific reason and had a divinely appointed purpose. God created them male and female so that they might "be fruitful and multiply" (v 1:28). Then, God declared this to be "very good" (v 1:31).
In Genesis 2:22, we read, "The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man." The first wedding -- officiated by God Himself. Does anyone believe that Jesus supports Same-Sex Marriage? I do not.
3. Where do they stand on the eviction of God -- from our schools, public life, and, if we are not diligent -- even from our churches in the future? Since 1963, God has not been allowed in our pubic schools. Over the years we have seen God evicted from our public forums: no nativity scenes, no CHRIST in Christmas, no Ten Commandments in any public facility, etc. Does anyone believe that Jesus supports having God evicted from American life? I do not.
With that said, let's look at where our candidates stand on these issues.
THE CANDIDATES ON ABORTION:
NARAL and Planned Parenthood are the standard bearers for the Pro-Abortion Movement. Each year NARAL rates the politicians on how they vote for or against abortion issues. A high rating means that the candidate has voted to support abortion; a low rating shows that a candidate has voted against abortion.
Looking at the NARAL ratings for Obama: NARAL has consistently given him a rating of 100%. Biden is not far behind him.
Looking at the NARAL ratings for McCain: NARAL has consistently given him a 0% rating. To NARAL, McCain is disgustingly Pro-Life.
Governor Sarah Palin leaves no doubt where she stands on abortion. She recently gave birth to a child with Down Syndrome -- no question of an abortion. Her teenage daughter is pregnant and unwed -- no thought of an abortion. Sarah Palin not only talks the talk; she walks the walk.
How does Obama see himself on the issue of abortion? Below is his personal statement: Link
Obama's personal statement: "Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it's never been more important to protect a woman's right to choose... Throughout my career, I've been a consistent and strong supporter of reproductive justice, and have consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America."
On the same web site, what does NARAL say about John McCain?
Think Sen. John McCain is a "moderate maverick?" Think again. McCain has spent the last 25 years amassing one of the worst anti-choice voting records in Congress. It's time for America to meet the REAL McCain!
Meaning that McCain has amassed one of the best Pro-Life records in Congress.
On the same web site, what does NARAL say about Sarah Palin?
Sen. John McCain announced that his running mate is anti-choice Gov. Sarah Palin. During her campaign for Governor, Palin said that she is opposed to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.
My Friends, when we look at the occurrence of rape and incest, and even combine them with risks to the mother's health -- all these together represent less than 3% of all the abortion cases. Looking at the 1.4 million abortions a year -- this means that less than 42,000 are from rape, incest, and mother's health -- while 1,358,000 (1.36 million) are for the purpose of birth control only; for the sake of recreational sex. In other words, in America, every year since 1973 -- we have allowed over ONE MILLION babies to be sacrificed to the god of recreational sex, Molech. Don't you think it is time we put a stop to this secular pagan practice?
THE CANDIDATES ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE:
From the LesbianLife web site: Link
OBAMA:
Barack Obama believes gays and lesbians should have the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
Barack Obama did vote against a Federal Marriage Amendment and opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.
He said he would support civil unions between gay and lesbian couples, as well as letting individual states determine if marriage between gay and lesbian couples should be legalized.
In other words, if Obama were president, he would pass the buck to the states -- allowing him to keep his hands clean.
BIDEN:
Joe Biden says gays and lesbians should have the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
Joe Biden supported the Uniting American Families Act, a bill that would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor their non-American same-sex partners for immigration.
McCAIN:
John McCain's has stated that is is against gay and lesbian couples adopting children.
John McCain said he supported an Amendment to Arizona's Constitution that would ban gay marriages and deny government benefits to unmarried couples.
McCain: "I am for the values that two parent families, the traditional family represents."
PALIN:
Sarah Palin is opposed to gay marriage. Alaska was one of the first states to pass a "Defense of Marriage" law, banning marriage between same-sex partners in 1988 and Palin supported it. Her campaign web site for Governor in 2007 stated: I am pro-life and I believe that marriage should only be between and man and a woman.
She is a first-term governor from Alaska and a conservative who is against abortion rights, for gun rights and (for) oil drilling in Alaska's wilderness.
God bless this woman!
THE CANDIDATES ON FAITH:
OBAMA: Link
"If we truly hope to speak to people where they're at - to communicate our hopes and values in a way that's relevant to their own - then as progressives, we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse…Because when we ignore the debate about what it means to be a good Christian or Muslim or Jew; when we discuss religion only in the negative sense of where or how it should not be practiced, rather than in the positive sense of what it tells us about our obligations towards one another…others will fill the vacuum, those with the most insular views of faith, or those who cynically use religion to justify partisan ends.” – Call to Renewal Keynote Address
“Given the increasing diversity of America's population, the dangers of sectarianism have never been greater. Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.” - Call to Renewal Keynote Address
Let me remind you that, by Progressive, Obama means Liberal. Barack Obama supports a Liberal Theology. Barack Obama support Liberal Politics.
During the recent Saddleback Church Civic Forum, when Obama was asked about his faith; he went off on a long dissertation about his grandmother's faith and his family, quoted a few Scripture verses (very well rehearsed, almost no glitches) and when he finished, I am sure I am not the only one who said to myself, [oi]"Huh! What did he say? Did he say yes or no to Christian faith?"[/i]
At this same forum, when asked when life begins, Obama waltzed around the question with, "That is above my pay grade."
Is being president of America also above his pay grade?
BIDEN: Link
On another web site, I saw that Senator Biden is Catholic. Yet, on his own web site, on the page labeled "Biography and Personal Information" of Joe Biden -- there is no mention of him being Catholic, or any other denomination. On his own web site -- there is no mention of whether he believes in God or not.
Yet, his voting record shows that he is very Pro-Abortion and supports the Homosexual Activist's agenda.
From the web site: Link September 10, 2008
WASHINGTON (RNS) Several leading U.S. Catholic bishops are publicly rebuking Sen. Joe Biden, accusing the Democratic vice presidential nominee of voicing "flawed moral reasoning" on abortion. The criticism comes soon after nearly a dozen U.S. bishops castigated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for saying abortion continues to be an "issue of controversy" in the Catholic Church. Both Democrats' comments came on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Biden said on Sunday (Sept. 7) that "I'm prepared as a matter of faith to accept that life begins at conception." But, he added, "for me to impose that judgment on others is inappropriate in a pluralistic society."
Even Democrat Harry Truman would have called this "Passing The Buck!"
McCAIN:
During the Saddleback Church Civic Forum, when asked about his Christian faith, John McCain replied, "I am saved."
In that same forum, when McCain was asked when life begins, without any pause, with no hesitation -- he said, "At conception."
PALIN: Link
When early testing showed that Palin's fifth child would be born with Down syndrome, Palin's pro-life stance and undoubtedly her Christian faith, kept her from ever considering ending the pregnancy. When little "Trig" was born, Sarah told the Anchorage Daily News, "she was sad at first but they now feel blessed that God chose them." This press statement from the Palin family explains in more detail:
"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
How does her faith guide her decisions?: Link
Regarding social issues: "A significant part of Palin's base of support lies among social and Christian conservatives. Her positions on social issues emerged slowly during the campaign: on abortion (should be banned for anything other than saving the life of the mother), stem cell research (opposed), physician-assisted suicide (opposed), creationism (should be discussed in schools), state health benefits for same-sex partners (opposed, and supports a constitutional amendment to bar them)."
Regarding Creation and Evolution in schools:
"Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information....Healthy debate is so important and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject -- creationism and evolution. It's been a healthy foundation for me. But don't be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides."
So, in conclusion, my Friends, when Rolando, in his e-mail above, wrote: "During His life on earth, He (Jesus) wanted to dine with tax collectors, publicans, and sinners" -- I have to agree with him. However, Jesus was not blessing or accepting the wayward lives of these folks -- He was there to save them from their wayward lifestyles.
Would Jesus have voted to elect those tax collectors, publicans, and sinners to high office? No. He was there to save them; not to promote them.
We should view our prospective leaders in the same light. We should pray for them; we should give them all the respect they have earned -- but, when their values, their views on issues which directly affect our Christian way of life -- are so opposite the teachings of the Bible; we cannot promote them to high office. Neither would Jesus.
Bill Gray
billdory@pacbell.net
Alabama bred,
California fed,
Blessed by God to be a Christian American!
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