Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
And that's the point. We are coming from diverse places, and having difficulty grasping one another's thoughts. At least I am.
I am just beginning to understand that the word "PUBLIC" means Wash DC legislation. Duh!
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Oh,
Ohio, that's not on you - that's a function of my scattered way of writing...
But, yes, conversations like this require a "step back a second" approach in order to hear eachother. You've written that's you've been politically active against abortion. I want to be clear that I am not in disagreement with your goals. I'm not challenging your conscience. I think I share your concerns.
I am making another argument entirely. Ineptly as I do.
You and I could have a
citizen debate about the role of government all day long. And afterword, study the Bible together or pray or just share a warm meal.
But if we attached our arguments to "what the Bible says God wants in human government", we are inherently talking about implicit universal truths. There isn't room for "live and let live." Your
political stance is an implicit commentary on my
faith if I disagree with you. You don't have to actually say "God is against you" for me to imply that's what your argument entails. And vice versa.
We can either argue for Christians to have "liberty" to get involved in politics
as Christians (again, different than engaging in politics with secular arguemnts, which is fine in my boat - or Christians pursuing private ministry to right societal wrongs, which is also fine in my boat) which may lead to a contradictory testimony and a gulf between you and I. Or we can say, "engage in politics all you want with moral, secular arguments - we can debate them all day long and then, when done, we can still mutually discuss spiritual matters and what 'God's will' is for our respective lives."
In Love,
Peter