Really Long Email to my Aunt
September 15, 2011
Hi all! Yep, I agree, being politically involved in today’s world is vital. Too many people focus on football and American idol… meanwhile the country is falling apart!
Unfortunately, not all of the GOP candidates are pro 2nd amendment, and few are as aggressively supportive as Ron Paul. I’m glad to hear you like a lot of what he says, and that it’s his stance on moral issues that are troublesome. In a ‘free’ country, moral issues should not be dictated by the government, but decided on an individual basis so those issues shouldn’t stand in the way of voting for him in the upcoming primary. Generally speaking, these moral issues are decisive games that politicians play to win votes, but really have little impact on the country… at least compared to war / an economic collapse / a monetary collapse.
Marriage:
To me, this is an easy one. I think it’s important for us to understand our roles as Christians, and as citizens and where the two delineate. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Federally defining marriage is clearly making a law that respects an establishment of religion. As Christians, you and I can decide that marriage is between a man and a woman, and we can even promote that idea through the Church, and in our interpersonal interactions. However, as citizens, we don’t have constitutional authority to define marriage… at least not in a ‘free’ country. There are lots of things that we oppose as Christians that are legal. Let’s take the 10 commandments for example:
- I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me. – legal
- You shall not make for yourself an idol. – legal
- Do not take the name of the Lord in vain. – legal
- Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. – legal
- Honor your father and your mother. – legal
- You shall not kill/murder. – it is illegal to kill
- You shall not commit adultery. – legal
- You shall not steal. – it is illegal to steal
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. – legal unless you are under oath
- You shall not covett your neighbor’s wife. – legal.
Sources
- Why Christians Should Oppose a Government Definition of Marriage – http://blog.ganderson.us/2011/05/why-christians-should-oppose-a-government-definition-of-marriage/
- Privatize Marriage – http://www.slate.com/id/2440/
- Cato.org – http://www.cato.org/drug-war
Capital Punishment
I’ve read lots of Christian debate on Capital Punishment and it confuses me honestly. I personally will stick to “thou shalt not kill.” While we are on the topic, though, here is a great bit of scripture: 1 Samuel 8:10. The more I look at our government, the more it resembles an old kingdom… and that really bugs me.
Sources
- What does the Bible say about capital punishment and the death penalty? – http://www.twopaths.com/faq_CapitalPunishment.htm
- The Death Penalty–Cruelty or Necessity? – http://www.brfwitness.org/?p=715
- Ron Paul wins poll for “Best True Christian Candidate” – http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?302146-Congressman-Ron-Paul-Wins-Poll-For-quot-Best-True-Christian-Candidate-quot
- Ron Paul – Statement of Faith – http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/statement-of-faith/
Electability
This is where the media bias just crushes Paul unfairly. He actually has the best chance against Obama, but the media is viciously anti Ron Paul… and to me that is more confirmation that he is the right guy. Here are some stats to back up what I am saying:
- http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/election_2012_barack_obama_42_ron_paul_41
- http://www.dailypaul.com/171720/per-the-rasmussen-poll-cross-tabs-ron-paul-is-the-strongest-gop-candidate-in-the-following-demographic-groups
- http://www.ronpaul.com/2011-08-25/ron-paul-most-likely-gop-candidate-to-beat-obama/
- http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-1452.html
- Romney / Perry exposed – http://youtu.be/VlYG6vh2T-M
- Road to Serfdom – http://youtu.be/4wyOGCYcCQY
- Ron Paul predicts Housing Bubble – http://youtu.be/gLm7Sw402xE
- Ron Paul predicts 9/11 – http://youtu.be/4hJTisovvjc
- Jon Stewart – Media Bias Against Ron Paul 1 – http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-august-15-2011/indecision-2012—corn-polled-edition—ron-paul—the-top-tier
- Media Bias Against Ron Paul 2 – http://youtu.be/JZ1alAbMrMM
- Ron Paul nearly wins Iowa Straw Poll – http://youtu.be/cyIKlqFQMrg
- Ron Paul – What if speech – http://youtu.be/FqAF-Alc7CM
Conclusion
Thanks so much for listening to my craziness. I agree with you completely – we need to find the best candidate. The Country can not withstand very many more lying politicians. I see the big three issues as 1) the economy, 2) health care, and 3) foreign policy. Fortunately Ron Paul is the only 1) economist, 2) doctor, and 3) Military (air force) person in the race!
Much love (and thanks for the robust debate),