Today, CNN carried a piece on how the Democrats are planning on using religion to help them take back the White House and seats in Congress. CNN called it the Culture Wars.
Offering up a playbook on the good book, Candy Crowley reported on how Bill Clinton used religion to help him win back to back elections. Clinton is now encouraging his fellow Democrats to do the same thing.
Former President Clinton said, "We don't have to be afraid of our values. And for those of us who are about to celebrate Easter. The number one admonition in the New Testament for citizens was not to forget the poor. That is mentioned over 500 times. You can't find all that stuff that they talk about more than two or three times if at all."
Obviously, Bill Clinton is trying to paint the GOP as a party that doesn't help the poor while the Democrats do. And in some cases, he is right that the Republicans have been more for tax cuts while the Democrats favor more social programs. But it is unfair to paint Republicans as uncaring or concerned with the poor just like it is equally unfair to claim that Democrats do not care about family values or religion. Both sides have engaged in rhetoric that doesn't really help develop solutions or true understanding.
The problem is when you try to use Jesus instead of let Him guide you in all circumstances. Christ called us to establish His as Lord not a political tool to help sway voters.
Clinton is right that Jesus had a lot to say about helping the poor. Christians should do whatever they can to assist those in need. Unfortunately, the government has had to step in because the church has not fulfilled its role in many cases to care for the needy. We the people of God should reclaim our role again. And that is why I support more faith-based initiatives to develop answers to social problems.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. And God definitely opposed the sacrifice of children to the God of Molech, which can be compared to the modern practice of abortion. In both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, God warns against homosexuality as sinful conduct rooted in evil lusts. To be fair, Jesus also spoke against divorce, which can be as much to blame for family problems as any gay rights agenda or smut on TV. I believe that Jesus is sorely displeased with how the American church has legitimized divorce.
Instead of trying to justify our sin and bash others over the head about their sin, why can't we just admit that we have all fallen short of the glory of God? Why can't we try confession instead of finger pointing and grand standing? Why can't we ask God and His Word what is the best way to live and then do it?
The CNN report pointed out that the only Democrats to win the White House in last 30 years both talked about religion. Bill Clinton called himself the world's most famous sinner. But during his time in office, he also seemed at ease talking about religion.
I don't believe that God is either a Democrat or a Republican. Neither party seems to understand the heartbeat of God because both parties take a man-centered view of the world instead of a God-focused attitude toward life.
