tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023138255193230828.post7251192717055614566..comments2013-12-17T09:39:41.303-08:00Comments on Whispers of Grace: Can Christians Honor the President without Agreeing with Him?Jennifer Stairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945793336149533884noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023138255193230828.post-22889557071531091602009-09-17T14:02:22.106-07:002009-09-17T14:02:22.106-07:00Unfortunately it seems that you are in the minorit...Unfortunately it seems that you are in the minority and that is a sad state. <br /><br />A few years ago I began to be aware that my faith was more barrier than bridge and that led me to begin to withdraw from the evangelical church culture (I was a very committed, active church member - taught, served on committees, involved in missions etc.) I know there are exceptions (like you and the few who have commented here) but I wonder if you have an opinion as to what has led so many Christians to be comfortable with and advocate such unchristian behavior? <br /><br />I live in the DFW area and sometimes listen to the radio station KWRD when I drive home from work and I am appalled at some of the things that are said in the name of Christ on that station both by Christian radio hosts and Christain callers. For instance, just last week Janet Mefferd said although she didn't think Joe Wilson's behavior (when he called out "you lie" during Pres. speech) was appropriate for the setting she understood it and it made her feel good...she could not bring herself to be critical of it.<br /><br />From where I sit it seems like conservative Christians have been coerced into being the voice of right wing politics. I am interested in your thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023138255193230828.post-75301712318352976402009-09-16T19:53:25.579-07:002009-09-16T19:53:25.579-07:00To be clear: I am not judging or criticizing paren...To be clear: I am not judging or criticizing parents who respectfully chose for their children not to hear the president's address. Nor am I implying that all parents who opted for their kids to abstain are hateful or fearmongers. <br /><br />The issue is not whether we let our children view the president's speech. Instead, the issue is the ATTITUDE in which we, as Christians, respond to our nation's leader. Are we being respectful and God-honoring in our words and actions?<br /><br />In this blog, I'm addressing those Christians whose caustic vitrol of the governing authorities demonstrates anything BUT an attitude of honor and respect (see Romans 13:1-7). Yes, we can disagree with the policies of a sitting president. And yes, in a free country we can and should make our opinions known to our government leaders. If your conscience led you to opt out of his address to schoolchildren, you absolutely have the freedom to do so. But I do not see where Scripture allows Christians to exercise that freedom in a hateful, acerbic way.<br /><br />In my opinion, there is far too much dissention and backbiting in the body of Christ on this issue, as well as many others. When it comes to nonessentials in the Christian faith, there is a huge difference between asserting "I believe this" and insisting "All Christians should agree with me." <br /><br />Perhaps that's why Romans 13 ("be subject to the governing authorities") is immediately followed by Romans 14 ("Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer. ... Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding").Jennifer Stairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14945793336149533884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023138255193230828.post-67125455433968569982009-09-13T13:37:25.517-07:002009-09-13T13:37:25.517-07:00I agree, you said so well with my husband and I be...I agree, you said so well with my husband and I believe about this subject! Thank you for posting...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16181401251810733352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023138255193230828.post-4224130340039764002009-09-13T10:48:23.696-07:002009-09-13T10:48:23.696-07:00Extremely well said.Extremely well said.Kelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04892161631151269949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023138255193230828.post-37691251998530859002009-09-09T21:01:44.793-07:002009-09-09T21:01:44.793-07:00Very well said. I have been thinking the exact sam...Very well said. I have been thinking the exact same thing about all of this though it did not really impact me as my kids are not in school yet. Still, I believe we do need to teach our kids to have respect for our elected President though we may not agree with him.Christy@pipandsqueakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02595701576589813930noreply@blogger.com