A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life

A Weblog Dedicated to the Discussion of the Christian Faith and 21st Century Life
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I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe, –that unless I believed, I should not understand.-- St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

Monday, July 22, 2013

The Problem of Posting on Politics

Erik Marshall has an excellent post on why he rarely posts on politics anymore. He lists four reasons, which I only give to you in abbreviated form:
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1. Political discussions are long and unproductive.  Discussion was really right-fighting...

2. Partisan Politics are the concentrate of those common political discussions.  Far be it for any politician to admit an opponent is right, or good, or reasonable.  If you disagree, you disagree on EVERYTHING.

3. People take stuff waaaaay too personal.  We all need to lighten up and deal with the fact that other honest, respectable Americans will differ from your opinion.

4. No political party in the United States of America, which is a secular nation that allows the freedom to express religion, will ever capture the entire ethic of Jesus Christ.
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I very much agree. I would also add that because Christians take nation state politics too seriously, they undermine the church of Jesus Christ as God's politic and become promoters of civil religion. And yes, both the religious right and the religious left support civil religion. Both are guilty as charged.

The entire post is worth your time and can be read here.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Agree. Mention politics and you immediately do harm to your ministry.

Agree also, left and right seem more interested in asking Caesar's permission/help than Christ's.

My preacher rarely mentions it, but, I always hate when he does even if I share his view. Christ is so above the putrid self absorption of men and really, that's what politics are about.