Tuesday, August 22, 2006

The Case for Christians in Government

The good people of this country have really let this country down. We’ve let pop culture, drive our culture in the ground.
And I’ve stood by and watched it, shook my head and wondered why
Nobody’s putting up a fight – “From Here on Out” by The Right Brothers.

This is the point we are at today. For too long Christians have just stood by and watched our nation turn further and further away from God. If we continue this trend, we will arrive at a god-less America, and the results of that are dangerous. Societal conditioning has taught us for decades that Christians do not belong in the decision making of this country because of the “separation of church and state” phrase that is so prominent today.

In addition, many Christians have stayed out of politics because of peer pressure and being told that they can’t change the outcome, so their involvement doesn’t matter. We have been indoctrinated to believe that there is no biblical basis for Christians in government. All of these allegations against Christians in government are false. We do have an important job to do in our government and we are the only people that can get it done.

When I am asked the question, “what do you want to do when you “grow up”?” I respond, “I’ll be somewhere in politics.” The reaction I receive is always priceless. I typically get one of two types of responses. The first is a shocked expression and a “well, I hope you do ok” or “great, keep it up girl!” The second is deeper and generally results in a good discussion, the response boils down to a simple question: Why can’t we just stay out?

The answer is simple. We can’t stay out because we are to be the light of the world. Our founding fathers built this land on Judeo-Christianity, and we have strayed too far from Christ. The reason our ancestors came to America was that she was and is a free, God-fearing nation.

Having established this, we have another question. Since we have strayed so far, does it even matter if we continue on this downhill journey? Does it even matter if we get involved? After all, we can’t make a difference.

Yes, it does matter. We are going down the wrong road; following pop-culture stars and Hollywood actors who have no sense of reality. We are soaking in phrases and taking them as fact because we don’t have the determination to make sure what we are being spoon-fed is right. We are being taught that there is no right and wrong and we must tolerate everyone except those that don’t agree. We are becoming a society run on emotions, not facts and logic. If we continue down this path we will crumble, not from the outside, but from within. Our freedoms will eventually be lost, and rather than a republic form of government, we will have nothing but tyranny.

If we stay apathetic and do not get involved, we will end up with tyranny, the only way to stop this is to get involved and change!

The allegation that we can have no impact on our culture is false. Samuel Adams, a founding father, and founder of the Sons of Liberty in the American Revolution once stated, “It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people’s minds”. Throughout history it has been proven repeatedly that a handful of people have the potential to make a dynamic impact.

Now that we know that we can make an impact, we have to ask the question: Is it Biblical? Does God raise His people to be involved in the government?

There are many instances throughout the Bible where God chose His people to be involved in government, not only their government, but pagan government’s as well. The stories of Joseph, Esther, and Daniel are perfect illustrations. In all three instances God took them from their home, or “comfort zone” into a pagan environment and used them to impact the culture.

In Daniel 2:21 it states: And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Psalms 75:7 also reads: But God [is] the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another.

In 1Corinthians 12:28 it says:
And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

These verses are just a few that prove that God does govern in the affairs of men, and he does raise up leaders. Many people in the church today have put down the calling into politics and government saying that it is not “of God” to be involved in that arena.

In the Bible times the Jewish people didn’t have the right to vote and express themselves like we do today. However, you did see many of His people involved in the political system of their time. Whether it was by birth, choice, or just because God opened a door, they were involved in the government.

We have succumbed to believe that for some reason we should not be involved anymore. Yet, we have just proven this allegation wrong. Since we have the ability to be freely involved, it is our duty to. We are supposed to be a light to the world, one way to effect change, is to exercise our citizen’s rights by voting, supporting candidates, and getting involved ourselves. In the chorus of the song “From here on out” it says:

From here on out I’m gonna do my part. From here on out I’m gonna listen to my heart. It may just be one voice, but I’m gonna make it heard
And I’m not giving in or backing down, From here on out

Not only is it our job to do what we can, but if we don’t we will continue on this road downhill to tyranny. From here on out, I’m going to do my part, the question is, will you do yours?

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Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Triumph of Evil

The Triumph of Evil

A "new" look at what the problem is, and how to solve it.

By Kierstyn P

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"-Edmund Burke. Thankfully, in this case, the good men will not let evil triumph, even if the world pressures them too.


20 days ago marked the start of a war. The Hezbolla captured two Israeli soldiers and killed eight. In retaliation, Israel fired into suspected Hezbollah bases. It is interesting to note, that only when Israel retaliated did the world speak out. At that, it has taken on a mostly anti-Israel bias. The question posed, "is Israel justified?" was what everyone was asking. The answer is simple. The best way to grasp it is to bring it home.


In 2001 American planes were hijacked by terrorists and run into buildings, killing thousands. We knew immediately that we would fight back; were we justified? Yes.


Likewise, terrorists have attacked Israel, and Lebanon has been "hijacked". In response to a terrorist attack, was Israel justified in striking the Hezbollah in Lebanon? The answer to that question is "yes"; we (and any other nation) have a right to protect our nation and ourselves. It is also understood that the government's role is traditionally to punish evil, defend the nation's population, and protect national sovereignty.


It is not surprising then, that Lebanon retaliated and struck Israel. This back and forth fighting got us to where we are today. As of July 31 2006 a 48 hour "cease fire" was declared by Israel. This cease-fire was defined as a 48 hour halt on offensive air strikes. They did fire in order to protect their troops on the ground once, which didn't violate the cease fire since it was defensive.


We have been asking the wrong question from the start, the question is not "were they justified?" the question that should be asked is "what can be done to stop this terrorist organization from harming more innocent people?" Currently, Rice and other leaders are trying to get a long-term cease-fire resolution passed by the United Nations.


While that may seem, and is believed by many to be the perfect solution, we must ask ourselves, are UN resolutions successful? Patrick Henry once stated, "The only way to judge the future is by the past" That is exactly what we have to do now. In the history since the United Nations was created, they have passed MANY resolutions. However, the results weren't worth the paper they were written on.


What needs to happen is not a cease-fire. For until Hezbollah is eliminated Israel will not cease to fire; Lebanon will not cease until Israel does. However, the problem we are facing is that Lebanon is not taking care of the threat inside; therefore, Israel took the initiative.


While observing the situation, I have noticed that we are skirting the problem. If my great grandparents had not immigrated and my family and I were Lebanese citizens, my first reaction would not be "kill Israel". It would be, "Let's solve the problem and stop the people that started this in the first place". That is the answer to the problem, the question now is "will it be followed through?"


Terrorists have hijacked Lebanon, the strikes against Israel are not from the Lebanese government; it is from a terrorist organization. What needs to happen now is for the governments and the Lebanese populace to work to stop the terrorists from harming more civilians. The courage exemplified by the flight 93 passengers on 9/11 shows that civilians do have the ability, whether they realize it or not, to take back the plane, or in Lebanon's case, the Nation.



Albert Einstein once said, " The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it. " Complacency and fear are the biggest problems we face, and now it is up to Lebanon to take the initiative and stop the terrorists in their own Nation.

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