Another too often forgot phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance that comes right after "...one nation under God..." is "...indivisible..." For some institution to succeed it needs to be united and stand together. There have been times in this Great nation that we have lost sight of the indivisibility that we were founded on (Civil War, activist groups picketing firefighters funerals). Don't get me wrong here, people need to take a side on issues and stand by that decision. That is what makes Democracy so great. But sometimes we need to just come together as a nation and support a person or group of people or a decision that has been made to strengthen the nation. I just thought I would say something because a lot of people forget about the indivisible part.
How so? I'm not forcing my beliefs upon others no different then they forcing their beliefs on myself if a bill were to pass? The key difference is what the bill is attempting to do, grant more equal rights as for legal procedures, tax benefits and spouse (or whatever word we want to use) rights for same sex relationships or are we trying to redefine what marriage is? I know to some, perhaps most here that seems very nit picky...but as I've stated outside of salvation, marriage is the second most sacred thing given mankind and my vote will always be to uphold the definition given to us by Him. I do however vow to always attempt to not trample or suppress other opinions which will defer from me on this so imo it's not hypocritical at all. I'm for same sex relationships to start receiving a lot of the same benefits husbands/wives receive from the state and the government...but am 100% redefining marriage. And if the vote doesn't go my way, so be it, just another way in my eyes we're leaving God to collect dust on our mantle.
I disagree. If he votes his belief and lives with the results, like them or not, he is live and let live. Not hypocritical in my way of thinking.
Again, you're talking about religion. You can't get away from it. If you can't see around you're religious shield, then we can't discuss this with an open mind. That's not a knock either. You're locked into your mindset and I can appreciate that.
Well said Ty, I agree with you 100%. I agree with you as well Dan that people including myself do judge and ridicule others on differences in opinion and belief. It's a sad fact of today's society. How do fellow Christians feel about these verses: Romans 13 1 Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. 2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3 For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. 4 The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. 5 So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing the work God intended them to do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due. Or this one: 1 Peter 2:13-17 "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king." Yet Acts 5:29 says: Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!" All these scriptures at times cloud my head. I pray for those who need it(including myself), confess my sins to him daily (I'm a mess) and try and live by the one scripture that has always rung true in my heart: Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. I guess what I'm asking is, What paradigm do you guys try and live by when it comes to things like this?
Certain things cannot be untied from Religion though Dan, in my opinion. Marriage is not a state thing or federal thing, ie gun rights. Love ya brother and appreciate this never turned south!
I will always follow my governmental laws set before me unless they directly contradict laws set forth by God. That has served me well for all my young years (although as any I fail at times, okay a lot). God commands us to follow the governments placed before us, but also to have no other God's before Him...one just has to ask if what the current law is stating as right is in fact something God would say is right.
So what you're saying, is that if a state tried to succeed, and I had family within that state, I should fight/kill my family in the name of my nation? Indivisible, bro.
I say to believe and trust God but don't break the laws set by man. We all fail at times, the trick is to recognize the failures, learn from them and not continue in them. As for the pushing of ones agenda on others, it goes for in and out of religion. I won't push my religious beliefs on anyone even though I will share them and I don't want someone's political beliefs pushed on me. Just because something is politically accepted doesn't mean I have to do or believe in it, just live with it and live and let live.
Ty, Nice post. There is nothing wrong with someone conveying their feelings. If I don't agree I can go to the next post. It takes posts like these to make us better people.
