[MLUG - DISCUSSION] [RELIGION] Defining a Christian act... was Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock

["Christian M. Cepel" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

And why do folks on your side of the fence always group these two 
extremes together when they belong distantly apart.

You've been told time and time again that all but a very very small 
minority of those who appose abortion decry the heinous actions of those 
psychos who do such things that are an abomination before God.

If you're asking how Judgment and Condemnation are a Christian act, then 
you've missed the point of Christianity (on certain levels) entirely.  
The basis of most Christian's beliefs in The God of Abraham and Issac, 
His Son Jesus Christ, and his guidance to us in the form of scripture is 
the belief in an absolute truth.  We believe that there is absolutely 
one God, and that the only guidance for moral and life decisions comes 
from Him, and that the path to Salvation is solely through His Son.

By this, the opposition loves to point out that Christians are:
a) intolerant
b) judgmental
c) condemning

The real answer to this is, "Well Duh!"

When one believes in an absolute, and especially when that belief is in 
a God who has stated absolutely that he's absolute, there's not really 
any wiggle room there.

Ah, but you are forgetting two of God's most comforting values, those of 
love and compassion. (and through compassion, grace and forgiveness)

This is the whole basis for 'hate the sin, love the sinner.'

Someone who is leading an opening homosexual lifestyle, or chooses to 
have an abortion is no more or less a sinner than someone who mumbles 
profanity under their breath at the motorist who just cut him off.

These people who are picketing abortion clinics are doing just that, 
'hating the sin and loving the sinner'.  They believe that abortion is 
murder, and murder a sin and that it should not be done.  They don't 
hate the person who's doing it.  You might be surprised to think and 
realize that many of those out picketing are just as active in trying to 
provide loving, caring alternatives to abortions such as maternity homes 
and counseling centers where they are given assistance, counseling, 
support, and in many cases a clinic where they will be helped in all 
stages of pregnancy both medically and financially.  They are there 
after the birth as well, to assist if the mother wishes to place her 
child with different parents, or with things like diapers, cribs and 
formula and new-mother parenting skills education.  Indeed, this is why 
Open Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center is located less than a block 
kitty-corner from Planned Parenthood.

This is a major difference between the counseling offered at PP and Open 
Arms.  A mother or mother-to-be is counseled by both organizations 
before the decision to abort or carry a baby to term.  However, after an 
abortion, PP is not there to support and assist a mother who's just had 
an abortion.  Many times these women carry emotional scars for the rest 
of their lives.  With Open Arms, they are there after the fact with help 
for postpartum depression and crisis, Medicare, assistance, and such.  
Places like Open Arms are even there to help those that PP has abandoned 
after an abortion procedure.

How can judging an action they see as murder, and condemning the act 
(not the person) be a non-Christian act if the bible also judges murder 
to be wrong and condemns the act.  It seems that this is a very positive 
Christian act.  It's also a very Christian act to do the part you've 
left out....   loving and extending compassion to these women regardless 
of what their decision is.


Rick wrote:
> Are you implying that God tells them to picket abortion clinics? How 
> is such an act of judgement and condemnation a Christian act?
>
> Would that extend to shooting the people that work there or blowing 
> the clinic up, or are those just the nutcases like the Army of God who 
> "say" that God told them to do it?
>
> Rick
>
> Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:
> > I think it is wrong to criticise a Christian for not wanting to get 
> > involved in politcs.  But equally I think it is wrong to criticise a 
> > Christian who does want to get involved in politics.  Different 
> > Christians have different callings.  For example, presumably some 
> > Christians are called to picket abortion clinics.  I do hope that 
> > they picket the clinics because that is their calling from God and 
> > not because of peer pressure.  But in the end that is between them 
> > and God.
> >
> > Stephen

_______________________________________________
discussion mailing list
EMAIL:PROTECTED
http://mlug.missouri.edu/mailman/listinfo/discussion