I have never posted anything on politics and may never (never say never, Angela) post anything again. But, as friends have brought up the topic lately, I feel like I need to throw out a thought. I'm just thinking out loud here and so hopefully it makes sense collectively.
This Hammersmith household is a conservative one. Our friend Ryan Gates contributes to a website that had a nice summary of what exactly a Conservative believes. You can read it here: Conservatism Defined, by XEKE.com
Lately I've been thinking about the phrase "I am my brother's keeper". Some feel that if they believe this phrase then voting for the Democratic nominee will be a step in the right (actually the left, ha!) direction.
Well, I have a different view. In my mind, it is the role of the church, not the government, to take care of our "brother". Some of the most important things I look for in a church I attend is that it's a congregation that reaches out to our "brothers". We have several ministries that are helping the poor, hungry, broken, etc. And what I love most is that when these people receive groceries or simply prayer for healing, they are getting more help than what the government can provide.
Receiving the hope of Christ goes a lot further than a welfare check. As a Christian, that's how I see the role of "being my brother's keeper".
A couple of months ago, our senior pastor invited Evan & I along with a few others over to his home for dinner. Half of the guests were white, the other African-American. Our pastor brought up the subject of broken families among the black community and how it has changed over time. A black gentleman who is probably in his 50s responded. Living in an African-American neighborhood as a boy, he was surrounded with complete families. No one was rich but the family stayed together. Today we see so many broken homes, single parents, etc. He felt that the welfare system actually contributed to this. With a welfare check, a wife (for example) no longer needed to stay in a marriage. She could just rely on the government to provide. Well, if you read the above article, you'll see why I have a hard time with this. I want to protect the family unit, not make it easier to split...and let's not forget about the children that get caught up in this. If I support marriage and family, how can I support the idea of government assistance...which may have had a role in the decline of these establishments?
So in a nutshell, I am for life, family, and country. I think "we" can help our brother in more, lasting ways than the government. I feel like faith has a place in the conservative platform.
I don't need comments to this post with arguments or differing opinions, I just wanted to state mine. Take it or leave it.
5 comments:
This is almost exactly how I feel. I think we are robbing people of the most simple ways to serve others if we "make" everyone do it through the government. I also think you are robbing people of seeing Jesus through your actions. Sure, Christ will show Himself no matter what we do but I still don't want to give the government more control.
Thanks for posting Angela. Politics is so interesting this time of year. I almost wish we could just print out a report of where they each stand and head right to the voting booth rather than drag it out and read all of the people bashing each other for months. :)
Awesome post Angela. Thanks for sharing such a well thought out and honest opinion. I've never heard it put this way before, but it does make sense.
Amen. Thanks for the post.
I feel the same way. It would be hard not to and still be married to Ryan:) The conservative platform does a lot more to promote an intact family unit by encouraging responsibility for oneself as well as acknowledging the role "church" has in helping the poor instead of the government.
Maybe you should write for Xeke:)
Jenn
You make some really good points that I hadn't thought of before. It's true that we as a church and as individuals need to be offering far more to those in need than we do.
As for the role of government? I don't know. What I do know is that, as a Canadian, I have free access to health care (for which I'm exceedingly grateful). Even so, there is still a HUGE need that our health system doesn't meet, and more opportunity for Christians to fill in the gaps than could ever be filled.
I don't say this as a means of trying to argue or sway you (it would be arrogant to think I could!), but more for assuring you that whatever happens today and over the next four years, there will still be a desperate need that, you're right, Christians need to take far more responsibility in filling.
Thanks for your post!
I'm here from Sarah Cool, by the way :)
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