My Faith and Politics in America

[Rheo]

Fox News:

The Christmas season is a time to reflect on the many blessings we are fortunate enough to enjoy in this great country. Like millions of Americans, I count my faith in God, my family and my country as blessings.

Faith is a comfort as well as a source of strength, a stabilizing force in our lives – especially during these hard economic times when anxiety, debt, high rates of poverty [most tragically among children] and unemployment abound.

According to a survey on religion published by Baylor University in September of this year, a clear majority of Americans, 73 percent, agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “God has a plan for me.” Of those who agreed that God has a plan for them, 88 percent also agreed with the statement “anything is possible for those who work hard” and 96 percent said they felt that government was doing too much to interfere in people’s lives.

The personal faith that God has a plan and, no matter how bad things get it will all work out, is undoubtedly helping to sustain millions of Americans this Christmas. With so many people feeling vulnerable and relying on their faith here’s a question: Why don’t politicians treat personal faith as more than just another hot button to be pushed to get out votes and bring in money.

As a political reporter I have seen politicians take advantage of people of faith by confusing personal faith with a religious group’s political agenda. History is full of American politicians who profess personal faith but run ads full of lies about their opponents, make racist appeals, cheat on their wives, handout public money to their political allies [including some church leaders] and make holding power into a false god.

They take to the pulpit with cynical appeals to stop abortion, end gay rights, and even claims to be running because of a message from God.

But that cynical, manipulative behavior by politicians has never caused me to lose faith. I am not embarrassed to say I believe in God. I believe in Jesus as God’s son. I also believe in the Holy Spirit. And Christmas, Passover or July 4th, I believe God loves the world and is watching over us.

[saveliberty]

Thank you for posting this, Rheo!

[Valin]

As a political reporter I have seen politicians take advantage of people of faith by confusing personal faith with a religious group’s political agenda. History is full of American politicians who profess personal faith but run ads full of lies about their opponents, make racist appeals, cheat on their wives, handout public money to their political allies [including some church leaders] and make holding power into a false god.

 

They take to the pulpit with cynical appeals to stop abortion, end gay rights, and even claims to be running because of a message from God.

 

A very good rant, but I wonder if Juan understands that The Church is made up of....and made for, all the worst sort of people.

One of the reasons I am a follower Of Jesus, is when I open my Bible and read what it says about us...well we do not come off as the kind of people I'd want to be around....See the OT and the Jews...The Gospels and the Apostles.

 

""Pray not that God be on our side, but pray instead that we be found on God's side."

Abraham Lincoln

 

I would also add God is not a Republican...God is not a Democrat....God IS.

[saveliberty]

As a political reporter I have seen politicians take advantage of people of faith by confusing personal faith with a religious group’s political agenda. History is full of American politicians who profess personal faith but run ads full of lies about their opponents, make racist appeals, cheat on their wives, handout public money to their political allies [including some church leaders] and make holding power into a false god.

 

They take to the pulpit with cynical appeals to stop abortion, end gay rights, and even claims to be running because of a message from God.

 

A very good rant, but I wonder if Juan understands that The Church is made up of....and made for, all the worst sort of people.

One of the reasons I am a follower Of Jesus, is when I open my Bible and read what it says about us...well we do not come off as the kind of people I'd want to be around....See the OT and the Jews...The Gospels and the Apostles.

 

""Pray not that God be on our side, but pray instead that we be found on God's side."

Abraham Lincoln

 

I would also add God is not a Republican...God is not a Democrat....God IS.

 

Why is it a cynical appeal to believe that it is wrong to promote abortion? If Juan were correct, then there would be no Rachel's project, a recovery project for women who have had abortions but suffer emotionally afterwards?

 

I like Juan and agree that politics is used in pulpits at times, but he may be overlooking where it is done.

 

Sometimes, it is important to affirm that the strong protect the weak.

Edited December 24, 2011 by saveliberty

[Valin]

 

Why is it a cynical appeal to believe that it is wrong to promote abortion?

 

Why? Simple Republicans hate women...I thought everyone knew that.

 

Republicans hate hispanics

Republicans hate blacks

Republicans hate poor people

Republicans hate Jews

Republicans hate foreigners

Republicans hate children

Republicans hate old people

 

 

Let's face the hard cold fact Republicans hate everyone but Rich WASP's.

[righteousmomma]

They take to the pulpit with cynical appeals to stop abortion, end gay rights, and even claims to be running because of a message from God.

Juan Williams

 

Save said:

 

Why is it a cynical appeal to believe that it is wrong to promote abortion? If Juan were correct, then there would be no Rachel's project, a recovery project for women who have had abortions but suffer emotionally afterwards?

 

I like Juan and agree that politics is used in pulpits at times, but he may be overlooking where it is done.

 

Agree. He displays his own political party leanings and biases with this one statement of "political correctness". Anyone can loyally defend Obama (and make no mistake its because of him being Democrat and "black") and not see Obama's leftist ideology of liberation theology for what it is. Anyone can still write pretty Christmas messages about faith and God. Anyone can still love God and can still believe in His Existence as revealed in the Bible. Does not make them right.