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Vote Christian Criticized

Consider the following, do you agree or disagree with the concept of voting 'Christian'? Suppose it was vote 'Judaism'?

Falwell's 'Vote Christian' Criticized

AP - A Jewish organization is calling on the Rev. Jerry Falwell to retract a "vote Christian in 2008" statement made months ago in a letter raising money for his ministries.
Ref. https://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...lwell_statement

Criticized Christian Vote

I agree with the jewish counsel on this one, this does not belong! The reason puritans left England was because they were separatists, believing that the church should remain separate from the government, The Church of England was the government at the time. This country seems to be swinging dangerously close to merging our government with our faith. When you now require a certain religious belief to vote for them above there qualifications, and it indeed has gotten that way, then you have swung to far in one direction. Bad idea, Falwell should keep out of politics, he has said enough things to embarrass his faith already.

Vote Christian Criticized Judaism Studies

I have to disagree. It is the right, and privelege, of anyone in the US to urge other people to vote the way that they believe. It is perfectly fine for Falwell or anyone else to express his opinion that the nation would be better off if everyone voted only for strong Christians. However, the reverse is true that someone else can express their opinion, and even strongly campaign, for everyone to vote for Jews, Muslims, Atheists, or whatever.

The separation of Church and State is designed protect the Church from the State, not the other way around.

In fact, the government and society are steadily becoming LESS influenced by religion, not more.

Criticized Christian Vote

I have to strongly disagree with you. I was more likely the exact opposite from your statement. See, Thomas Jefferson made the statement and he was strongly anti-christian.
https://www.postfun.com/worbois.html
A wall of separation, as Jefferson coined it, cannot go merely one way. The wall is supposed to stop religion from getting into government because once one intrudes into the other, the reverse process necessarily follows. AKA if religion is influencing religion then the relationship formed will eventually allow the government to start influencing religion. In fact, when you have politicians speaking from the pulpit, which happens at my parents church allot, then I say that the reverse infiltration is already happening.
In fact, Thomas Jefferson, as well as many of our founding fathers were deists, not christians.

I don't agree with people voting straight democrat, or republican either. Understand that my voting straight "christian" means that you will vote for them based on their faith and not their credentials. Because someone is a good christian does not mean they have the ability to run our country and make key decisions regard the state and the nation. People who vote based on faith fail to see the big picture and are voting naively. To think because someone is christian they will rule right is an absurd thought to handle. Voting straight christians ensure that any moral issues will be voted on christian like, but does not ensure SMART decision making on matters of war, taxes, and state/government run programs. A candidate my be christian, but not have a clue about running government.

don't make the mistake of believing that because someone has the right means they should. Falewell has the RIGHT to call on everyone to vote christian, every bit as much as he has the right to say that every natural disaster is Gods punishment on gays or criminals. He has the right, but he still shouldn't say it. Its free to say it, but naive and uneducated to do so. But Falewell has made a career of saying naive, uneducated, and hateful remarks...

Edited: konquererz on 27th Nov, 2005 - 7:03am

Criticized Christian Vote

I have to disagree back.

The 1st Amendment was designed to protect religion from the state. It was designed to allow religions to exist without government interference or influence. Read it carefully. There is nothing in it to indicate that religions should keep out of government, except that no single religion could influence the government to regulate or dominate other religions.

Jefferson was NOT the only person involved in the debate about the Bill of Rights. He expressed his opinion. That does NOT make it right.

Most, if not all, of the early leaders of the US expressed their faith in God, and their opinions that God was directly involved in forming the US and creating the Constitution. Most, if not all, of them also frequently expressed how their religious views affected their work with the formation of the US.

Ooops. Perhaps this discussion should move elsewhere....

I still think it is entirely appropriate for someone to urge others to vote based upon common beliefs, values, and philosophies. Such as their religion.

Edited: Nighthawk on 27th Nov, 2005 - 1:19pm

Vote Christian Criticized

We will definitely have to agree to disagree. Leaving just this with you, a wall works both way. When one side is allowed to interfere with the other, the reverse will necessarily eventually happen, usually slowly so no one notices it. The with Bush petitioning churches for votes is a definite sign of the continuing gray area between political beliefs and religious beliefs. Calling for voters to vote for a certain candidate from the pulpit is political campaigning and doesn't belong in the church. It IS allowing government influence into the church, if even to a small degree. I will personally hold to the ideal that no church or company should be preaching one candidate over the other. It leads to special treatment over others, church corruption, and mis-using of political funds.

Vote Christian Criticized

CHRISTMAS PROCLAMATION UNDER FIRE FROM JEWISH GROUP

A motion proclaiming December the Christmas season in the town of Oxford, N.S., has drawn criticism from members of a Jewish group in Atlantic Canada.
Ref. https://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/20...ford051201.html

Vote Christian Criticized Studies Judaism

I think what Falwell means by his vote christian stance is that we should vote christian morals. I think there is nothing wrong with such a statement. I want my political leaders to share my moral values. I don't see that as a problem with separation of church and state. We tend to leave morals out of our decisions and then get all up in arms when there is a moral scandal with our politicians. If we were to consider the entire package perhaps we would have less corruption in our government.

I still remember how Gary Hart had to give up his quest for the Presidency because it was revealed he had an affair. The problem wasn't the affair, but what it demonstrated about his ethics or personal character. If he wasn't honest within his marriage, how could we trust him to run our country? That may be extreme, but how a person lives an d/or conducts their personal affairs IS an indication of how they will conduct their public life.

Many christians oppose gay marriage and abortion. They are in favor of the pledge of allegience saying "one nation under God" and still being allowed in schools. I think the belief is if you vote christian people in as politicians, they are more likely to enact laws allowing such things. Whether or not this is true or will be upheld by the Supreme Court is another issue. However, if these issues are important to you, then the suggestion from Falwell is do something about it other than complain. Stop voting with just your wallet and let your morals count as well.

I don't think it is any different than any other lobbiest group. There are many powerful lobbies in Washington that control much of what happens. Falwell is simply saying we have a christian majority in this country. Let's use that to our advantage and lobby for what we want.

Edited: funbikerchick on 1st Dec, 2005 - 10:38pm