BLOGGER TEMPLATES - TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Saturday, August 23, 2008

I Don't Know What To Say

I know that I said, a couple of weeks ago, that I was not a political animal and that I didn't like confrontation, so I stayed away from discussing politics in my blog. However, this YouTube clip of Obama discussing religion is something that I cannot ignore and certainly cannot support.

His misunderstanding of the truth of the Bible is laughable. While I would never claim to be a Bible scholar, nor even a good student of Scripture, I do know when it is being misquoted, misinterpreted, misunderstood, misrepresented, and misused. In his attempt to be all things to all people, he has entered into a discussion for which he is not equipped.
It is little wonder that his knowledge is minimal and his theology is flawed. He's been sitting under the misguided, racist teaching of Rev. Wright for the past twenty years. I find these remarks objectionable at best and offensive to say the least. Yes, I am a moderate conservative. I am a moderate when it comes to many political issues, but I am a conservative when it comes to faith, family, and the moral values that I hold. My views on these issues come from a Biblical world view. In other words, the Bible is my point of reference. Therefore, I cannot support this person for president on any level.
He has either allowed the lure of the power of the office to distort his theology in an attempt to please everyone, or he truly doesn't know what he believes. In either case, I cannot vote for him. The sad part is, I am left with a choice of the lesser of two evils.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. " 2 Timothy 4:3


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's been awhile since I've been here....
Interesting video.
Thanks.

Joyce said...

Driller, you know I love ya. And I respect you and your beliefs immensely, as I respect everyone's beliefs whether they agree with mine or not. I grew up in a family that was extremely active in the Church family. Three out of five of us are still just as involved as ever. Despite my upbringing, however, I do not even come close to claiming to know or understand the Bible. Therefore, I won't address the specifics of Obama's quoted scriptures or stories. I will say, however, that I feel the Bible is up to interpretation, and if that's the way he interprets those messages that's fine by me, in the same way that it's ok with me if you interpret them entirely differently. Ok, that being said, the message I got out of this speech was one I strongly agree with. What I understood his overall message to be was that we as a nation cannot make policy decisions based on religion. We are, as he said, a nation made up of Christians, Jews, Muslims, et al, as well as non-believers. For our leaders to make major public policy decisions based on their own faith is potentially leaving out a vast number of our citizens. To quote Obama, "Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific values." He goes on to explain that he cannot "evoke God's will" when it comes to policy making, but rather he must "use reasoning that is acceptable not only to people of all faiths, but also to those with no faith at all". I couldn't agree more. In fact, thank you for posting this because it has really reminded me why I like this guy. I think he's brilliant.

Again, I am not trying to be contradictory or confrontational in the least. That's not my way. I respect everyone's beliefs and would never want to start an argument on your blog. I just felt that I wanted to give the other side and tell you the message I got out of his speech. Thank you!!

DrillerAA said...

If God is sovereign, and He is. If God created us, and he did. If God loves us, and He does. If it is God's will that none should perish, but that all should have eternal life (the choice is ours), and it is, then seeking His will would benefit everyone.
We have a responsibility to interpret the Bible, but with His guidance. We also have a responsibility to test those who are teaching it to us and reject that which is not sound doctrine. God is not the author of confusion. If we seek Him and His will, He will reveal it to us.
If a man will seek God's will for his own life, if the leader will seek the will of God for this country, God will reveal to him what is in the best interest of all. The man who tries, in his own mind to determine what is best for each individual group being very foolish. It is not about religion, it is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and access to the Father. A man could do much worse than read a Proverb every day and abide by the teachings found in that book.
The Bible tells us that we are to care for the widows and orphans. We are to tend to the sick. We are to comfort the broken hearted. We are to train our children in the way that they should go. We should love our wives, honor our parents, deal with others honestly. If the president were to do these things, everyone would benefit, regardless of their beliefs.
Solomon was the richest man in the world because he sought wisdom from God, not what it would take to please the diverse interests of every man. The result was that everyone benefited from his wisdom. This country would be much better off with a leader that would seek to be a man/woman after God's heart rather than after the votes of men. Unfortunately neither candidate seems to exhibit that quality.

Joyce said...

I get it, Driller. I really do. I'm not trying to be right, I'm just trying to give my perspective. Your viewpoint is a great one and it would be nice if everyone felt the same way . The truth is they simply don't. I want a leader who represents, or at least tries his hardest to represent, all of us - not just one sector of us. I do get what you're saying and it is admirable. I won't turn this into a debate, as I realize that isn't what you wanted when you posted. So I'll leave it here. Thank you for bringing up such a thought-provoking subject!

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

I can not see the video while at work, so it is hard for me to comment on this post. I do know your feelings regarding your faith and respect them without question.

I also know that for the last eight years I have not felt those in power have cared for the widows and orphans, tended to the sick, comforted the broken hearted, trained our children in the way that they should go or dealt with others honestly.

DrillerAA said...

I would have to agree that this administration will go down in history as one of the most inept.
On the other hand, I have never seen the federal government do a very good job at managing any humanitarian effort.

mommanator said...

very well said/post agree most wholeheartedly!

orneryswife said...

Boy, you sharpened up the can opener good on that can of worms! :-)

Sadly, it would be easy for even religious people to listen to what he said and be in agreement. To me that is the most dangerous aspect of his speech.

As for lesser of two evils, at least McCain is patriotic! I don't want the government involved in any aspect of my personal religious views, and if that means they leave God out of things, so be it.

You really can't legislate morals, the change has to come from the people, and as Christians we have done a pretty sloppy job of pointing out the love of God, and done a good job of painting Him as a discriminating potentate.

I really hope Obama does not win, but even if he does, God is still on the throne, and any time the church has endured persecution, it has come out stronger, greater, bigger and better.

blessings!
tm