Everybody knows that in politics it is nothing unusual when a politician expresses views different from those in his party’s platform. President Clinton bucked his party on welfare reform, for instance. Maine senator Olympia Snowe is being courted to break ranks with fellow Republicans and support Democratic health care initiatives. But what happens when Christians disagree with the platform of the denominations to which they belong? Is it all or nothing? Must you conform 100% or get out? If you can’t find a denomination that aligns with your convictions 100%, must you form your own?
Rhode Island bishop Thomas Tobin has been feuding with Catholic Congressman Patrick Kennedy for years over Kennedy’s vocal support for keeping abortion legal in the U.S. He let it be known publicly that he had asked Kennedy not to receive Holy Communion, though he strenuously denied forbidding it, excommunicating Kennedy, or instructing priests in his diocese to refuse Communion to Kennedy. The argument has become public, fought out in the newspapers and broadcast media.
I must admit that I am stumped on this issue. I am no supporter of abortion. I consider it murder regardless of circumstances. However, I am very aware that there are plenty of members of my congregation that voted for politicians who made and now keep abortion legal. What degree of conformity to your church’s teachings is necessary for membership? Is there any moral equivalency between performing an abortion (vacuum extraction, saline injection, D & C), managing an abortion clinic, arranging funding, arranging and protecting its legality, and voting for people who protect its legality?
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Straight talk. Real hope.
11/25/2009 - Posted by L
As Christians we are called to walk the talk (the principles taught in our church), but as sinful human beings we can get caught up & blinded by the harsh realities around us. Like the general consensus of “how much worse do things have to get before it changes.” Well, at what cost are we willing to put our opinions, feelings, wants and needs before God’s? And if I slip and do so, should I leave my church? I don’t believe so, but having an open discussion like this should be a wake up call for me to examine my past, present & future choices and compare them to the Bible(which holds ALL the answers to life situations). I didn’t vote my opinion and it was tough not to! Instead, I voted like God was standing right next to me. Prov 3: 5-6 “Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in ALL your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”
11/25/2009 - Posted by K
It's hard voting just for the anti-abortion politicians. That's only one issue that person supports or doesn't. I have a friend, at my church, who voted totally opposite me in an election because she was looking at a different issue the candidate had. I was going the abortion issue. You really don't know what you're getting in the vote. It's too bad that some of the other issues are probably against God. It's pretty much luck of the draw, unfortunately.
11/24/2009 - Posted by B
I have been wondering about church differences also. Does God forgive those who believe in their hear certain Biblical issues vs what we believe? Would that be considered an "unknown sin"? I continue to be grateful for a patient, loving God. And you bring that out so masterfully, Pastor. Thank you.
