Do you think a bumper sticker that read "God is not a Democrat... (or a Republican)" would generate as many "amens" from people as the one floating around that is the inverse of that?
I think in certain circles, the ones where it is cool to be a democrat because that is what goes with the post-modern, candle, pseudo social-justice caring, liberal package, your bumper sticker would do well.
I tend to agree with you. "God is not affiliated with any political party," would be more fair to all, but unfortunately wouldn't generate as much passion in believers as one that says God is not this OR that, while stressing one over the other.
Actually, when I was thinking of the "God is not a Democrat..." sticker I was imaginining it in my hometown, where traditionally most people believe God to be a Democrat.
Jen, I agree. There's a great article in Relevant about the state of the Emerging Church which interviews fellows like Leonard Sweet and Brian McLaren. Sweet, an influence in the Emerging Church culture but not necessarily a part of it, laments the fact that so many in "the conversation," in seeking to counteract certain Christians of a particular political persuasion is moving to far to the other political persuasion and everyone, in the process, is forgetting that the kingdom of God is largely apolitical (as we understand political in contemporary discourse.)
In my opinion, anyone who believes that God would mandate that they vote for one party or the other (in the US today, at least) doesn't understand the issues important to the other side.
As to your original question, probably not from the same people. I know a lot of "Religious Right" people who would amen your bumper sticker because on some level at least they acknowledge that God is not for one party or another. But I think that on most levels they still believe that God is more not a Democrat than He is not a Republican.
i think it would help tremendously to take the american flag out of the church "worship" area...and stop having kids at VBS pledge to america, the bible and the christian flag...which by the way -ALWAYS makes me laugh that someone actually came up with a christian flag.
In Colorado we don't really have that Church+America thing nearly as much as here in Texas. I don't remember ever saying the pledge at church. And we did have an American and Christian flag at my first church, but not at others I've been to. In short, Colorado is better than Texas ;)
seriously? it's completely untrue that Colo is better. we weren't even stolen by the United States like everyone else, we chose to come on board. that's why we get to fly our flag at the same height as the national flag. and saying the pledge of anything in a southern/texas baptist or otherwise protestant evangelical church in this state has more to do with the people who built that particular church community than how they interpret the bible as it relates to politics.
"we weren't even stolen by the United States like everyone else, we chose to come on board."
Whatever, we (the US) said no to you the first two times you wanted to "come on board" ;) At least Colorado got to be a state on its first try. Wasn't there an issue with some Mexican people living in, or *cough* owning, Texas before the "Texans" took it from them with military power? I dunno, something about a church in San Antonio or something...
I think that the community in which you live makes the difference.
The original slogan was printed that was because that is the dominant position (at least where I live). Sometimes you have to discredit the loudest voice so that other voices can be heard...
14 comments:
Craig,
I've been waiting for someone to say something like that.
too true
I think in certain circles, the ones where it is cool to be a democrat because that is what goes with the post-modern, candle, pseudo social-justice caring, liberal package, your bumper sticker would do well.
my apologies to those of you who were a democrat before it was cool to be one
What about those of us who think both parties are self-involved hypocrits. (not that I'm not).
Anonymous,
I tend to agree with you. "God is not affiliated with any political party," would be more fair to all, but unfortunately wouldn't generate as much passion in believers as one that says God is not this OR that, while stressing one over the other.
Actually, when I was thinking of the "God is not a Democrat..." sticker I was imaginining it in my hometown, where traditionally most people believe God to be a Democrat.
I would like to no longer hear people talk about politics or political party agendas in terms of how God views them.
I tell one thing...
If that Da Vinci Code stuff is true... this is what I know... George W. Bush is a descendent of jesus Christ.
Jen, I agree. There's a great article in Relevant about the state of the Emerging Church which interviews fellows like Leonard Sweet and Brian McLaren. Sweet, an influence in the Emerging Church culture but not necessarily a part of it, laments the fact that so many in "the conversation," in seeking to counteract certain Christians of a particular political persuasion is moving to far to the other political persuasion and everyone, in the process, is forgetting that the kingdom of God is largely apolitical (as we understand political in contemporary discourse.)
In my opinion, anyone who believes that God would mandate that they vote for one party or the other (in the US today, at least) doesn't understand the issues important to the other side.
As to your original question, probably not from the same people. I know a lot of "Religious Right" people who would amen your bumper sticker because on some level at least they acknowledge that God is not for one party or another. But I think that on most levels they still believe that God is more not a Democrat than He is not a Republican.
i think it would help tremendously to take the american flag out of the church "worship" area...and stop having kids at VBS pledge to america, the bible and the christian flag...which by the way -ALWAYS makes me laugh that someone actually came up with a christian flag.
In Colorado we don't really have that Church+America thing nearly as much as here in Texas. I don't remember ever saying the pledge at church. And we did have an American and Christian flag at my first church, but not at others I've been to. In short, Colorado is better than Texas ;)
seriously? it's completely untrue that Colo is better. we weren't even stolen by the United States like everyone else, we chose to come on board.
that's why we get to fly our flag at the same height as the national flag.
and saying the pledge of anything in a southern/texas baptist or otherwise protestant evangelical church in this state has more to do with the people who built that particular church community than how they interpret the bible as it relates to politics.
"we weren't even stolen by the United States like everyone else, we chose to come on board."
Whatever, we (the US) said no to you the first two times you wanted to "come on board" ;) At least Colorado got to be a state on its first try. Wasn't there an issue with some Mexican people living in, or *cough* owning, Texas before the "Texans" took it from them with military power? I dunno, something about a church in San Antonio or something...
I think that the community in which you live makes the difference.
The original slogan was printed that was because that is the dominant position (at least where I live). Sometimes you have to discredit the loudest voice so that other voices can be heard...
-cory
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