Biblical Universalist Discussion Forum
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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 6) |
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Brad
 Jul 12, 07 - 3:42 AM |
Christians and politics
Hi, I know the site is not about politics but I wanted to gauge how you, as Christians, thought about the following links which I have posted on my site. I value your comments. Let me know what you think. I think it is time there was a revolution in the Church and in the State. Regarding the state, it is time we had a true separation (before responding to that statement have a look at what I've written. In no way am I saying Christians should not be involved in politics.) http://www.jesus-wept.org/themessage.htm http://www.jesus-wept.org/religionandstate.htm Yours, Brad 
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Mike Burke
Jul 12th, 2007 - 9:19 AM |
Re: Christians and politics
[quote] ...there has never been a true separation of religion and state either in the west or any where else in the world. David Noble rightly points out that "all worldviews contain a theology - that is, all begin with a religious declaration. Christianity begins with 'In the beginning God.' Marxism/Leninism and Secular Humanism begins with 'In the beginning no God.' ...In the west the secular humanist world view is promoted through government funded media and education[unquote] I agree. [quote] Those who object to humanism being called a religion usually are not familiar with the literature of prominent humanists. The writers of the first Humanist Manifesto (1933) state that "to establish a religion of humanism is a major necessity of the present. It is a responsibility that rests upon this generation." ...One humanist, G. Richard Bozarth, wrote in the American Atheist "And how does god die? Quite simply because all his religionists have been converted to another religion, and there is no one left to make children believe they need him. Finally, it is irresistible, we must ask how can we kill the god of Christianity?" [unquote] Very interesting. [Quote] The only solution is to have no government funding for the media or for education [unquote] I like the part about the media, but I don't see how governments can have compulsory education laws without providing some form of public education. [Quote] The government does not have to set the curriculum to ensure that a student gets taught particular things, setting exams will be enough. [unquote] Enough to ensure that the private schools that are able to survive and compete in an open market have a curriculum that includes the particulars needed to pass these exams, but it wouldn't ensure that immediately--and it wouldn't be enough to guarantee every child equal educational opportunities. [Quote] schemes could be set up to guarantee a certain amount from a parent's pay packet went to their child's education. [unquote] A lot of details to work out there, particularly if the parent is a drug addict, an alcoholic, on public assistance, or just not interested and informed enough to make responsible decisions about their child's education (their are a lot of parents like that in our societies.) [Quote] In Australia approx 30% of students attend a private school (2006). [unquote] In countries like yours and mine (where a significant percentage of students already attend private schools), maybe something like this could be made to work--but the idea would be a hard sell, the transition would be difficult, and the devil is in the details. There'd also be overwhelming opposition from political interest groups, teacher's unions, etc. G-d Bless. |
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Brad
Jul 13th, 2007 - 1:31 AM |
Re: Christians and politics
Hi Mike, Thanks for your comments. I agree with you, there would be a lot of opposition, but I still think a true separation is something worth aiming at. Since there is no morally neutral ground the only way to have a true separation is to have no government funded education; I can see no other way. I see what you are saying about children whose parents are alcoholics etc but this is precisely where Christians schools would shine as they would reach out to such children more than any other schools. (I see the problem with a percentage of wages etc allocated to schooling, I was merely offering a suggestion.) It is necessary for governments to set the exams so that employers can compare students from different schools. Admittedly there may be many things in the exams which Christian teachers may not like but they are free to teach alternate opinions and tell the students, "this is what the examiners want you to know even though we think that is not entirely accurate" and then state the reasons why. In time, whoever had the most influence on a society would eventually have the greatest influence on the kinds of exams which were set. Christ may return tomorrow or he may return in 200 years time (though I think he will return before 70 years are up). Either way, we must must live like Jesus is returning tomorrow but plan as if he is not returning for 200 years. Yours, Brad |
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Mike Burke
Jul 16th, 2007 - 11:48 PM |
Re: Christians and politics
[Quote] I still think a true separation is something worth aiming at. [unquote] Maybe so. [Quote] Christ may return tomorrow or he may return in 200 years time (though I think he will return before 70 years are up). Either way, we must live like Jesus is returning tomorrow but plan as if he is not returning for 200 years. [unquote] That sounds like good advise. Thank you Brad (and G-d Bless.) |
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pam
Sep 28th, 2007 - 11:14 PM |
Re: Re: Christians and politics
There will always be public schools for as long as there is human government; unless they should run out money to operate them. I contend that public schools don't really exist to educate the masses but to indoctrinate and control them. Keeping people ignorant is one way to control them and the present public school system is doing a darn good job of maintaining ignorance. :0/ |
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Brad
Sep 29th, 2007 - 3:17 PM |
Re: Re: Re: Christians and politics
You may be right Pam. But the idea is still worth pursuing. Many people thought that abolishing the slave trade was an impossibility in William Wilberforce's day, but it was done. We should not be governed by what we think can be done but what we ought to do. The history of God's Kingdom is the history of individuals who trusted God and overcame what seemed impossible. We can at least move in the right direction and we can and should encourage others to move in the right direction. Ideas have consequences and bad ideas have bad ones. We should at least point people in the right direction. Who knows what God might accomplish through us. Thanks for your comment Pam. 
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