American Christian Politics: about abortion, and not social problems?

As a European citizen, it seems to me that American Christian Politics is more concerned about abortion and gay marriage, than about social problems like poverty, environmental problems, problems of famine, war, social security, national health, safety for everyone, not only Americans etc.

Question 1: Am I right, or is this misinterpretation?

In my opinion Jesus never told his followers to make sure that non-followers should follow his rules-of-living. He said let them do what they want (Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's). He accentuated that His followers should do good deeds, also (if not especially) to his non-followers (for instance Matth 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Give to him that asketh thee, etc. turn the other cheek)

Question 2: is this the correct interpretation?

Question 3: why are the main issues in American Christian politics gay marriage and abortion (the things the "non-followers" do) and not about concerns about fellow citizens who live in problems: poverty, health, famine, no house, etc.?

Question 4: In Europe Christian political parties emphasize the problems of poverty etc. Is there a historical explanation for this different behaviour in the States?American Christian Politics: about abortion, and not social problems?I am afraid you have a serious misunderstanding of Christian Scripture as well as American politics.



1- You are incorrect. Jesus said that all people would have to answer for their deeds, believer and non-believer alike. That is why there was such an emphasis on missionary work, starting with Jesus call to go to the ends of the earth. Also that we should struggle against injustice, seek to be peacemakers, and uphold human life. Note that Scripture, while it never uses the word "abortion" makes it clear that life does begin in the womb and thus that abortion is killing another human being made in the image of God. Thus, abortion is as significant an issue as genocide. The passage about give onto Cesar was in reference to dealing with temporal authorities with respect to the question of taxation. The passage about going the extra mile was not about doing good deeds, but to minister to the soldier (under Roman law at the time, a soldier could require someone to carry his pack fo a mile) through deeds. It allows for an opportunity to express a reason for the hope that is within us. It has nothing to do with live and let live with respect to moral issues. In fact, it was the refusal to abide by the law to worship Ceasar as a god that started the persecution of Christians by the Romans. Jesus was very concerned about sin and moral living for Jew and Gentile, believer and non-believer.



2- You missed putting in a question here. Glad to help if you an shoot me an email.



3- The main issues of American Christian politics are not abortion and gay marriage, though those are significant. Christians are very involved in social matters and have been for centuries, especially in this country. More hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, addiction support groups, and poverty assistance programs are done in the name of Jesus than any other name. For American Christians, it is an entire worldview issue. Jesus told his followers to care for the poor and the oppressed. He did not, however, call upon the government to do it. Nor did he accept the crown when it was all but offered him on a silver platter. Likewise, we hold the position that we as individuals have a responsibility to act out of love in these areas. We are simply living our faith.



4- No offense, but the reason European Christian parties emphasize social behavior so much is due to how far they have gotten away from core Christian doctrine. They do not live their faith, but instead focus on non-sectarian issues that will not offend anyone else, epsically those of other religions. That is why church attendance in Europe is decreasing and faiths such as Islam are on the increase.



And there are historical reasons as well that should not be ignored. This nation was founded in large part by people seeking religious freedom. Especially the Puritans in New England and the Quakers in the Pennsylvania region. These are groups that hold strongly to individualism and devout faith, upholding the "if a man shall not work let him also not eat" mentality. This is what carried us through our secession from England and led in large part to the demise of slavery. Religion in general and Christianity in particular, came under attack starting around the 1920s with the rise of Rationalism and Humanism which both sought to tear down traditionally held positions with regard to the role of religion in the public square, the sanctity of life, moral living, etc. What you are perhaps seeing now is the backswing of the pendullum from the depravity of the 1960s and early 1970s.



I hope I explained that well enough, but if not, I'd be happy to expand on it.American Christian Politics: about abortion, and not social problems?
No, real Christians are concerned about the welfare of all human life and not just about abortion,which is murder, and family issues like the attack on permanent and loving natural monogamy



European parties are as interested in issues that have nothing to do with poverty,etc as American ones are.American Christian Politics: about abortion, and not social problems?No offense mr. European citizen, as I turn the other cheek I ask you come and walk with us. "Let he among you without sin cast the first stone"American Christian Politics: about abortion, and not social problems?
%26lt;%26lt;As a European citizen, it seems to me that American Christian Politics is more concerned about abortion and gay marriage, than about social problems like poverty, environmental problems, problems of famine, war, social security, national health, safety for everyone, not only Americans etc.

Question 1: Am I right, or is this misinterpretation?%26gt;%26gt;



Misinterpretation, plain and simple. Every decent person cares about poverty, the environment, famine, war, social security, healthcare, national security.

Everyone agrees these issues are worth the concern. The debate is about the best way to deal with these issues.



When it comes to abortion and same-sex marriage, these are, by their very nature, for/against issues. There is no middle-ground; no grey area. One is either for abortion and/or same-sex marriage, or against. That is why these issues are so polarizing and, as a result, captures the media's attention moreso than the other issues do.





%26lt;%26lt;In my opinion Jesus never told his followers to make sure that non-followers should follow his rules-of-living. He said let them do what they want (Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's).%26gt;%26gt;



NO! Jesus NEVER said, "do whatever you want". The idea that people should be allowed to do whatever they want is called "license", as it is a permissive ideology. Jesus does not teach a doctrine of permissiveness. He teaches 'tolerance', which is what I think you are eluding to here - but 'tolerance' is not 'permissiveness'.





%26lt;%26lt;He accentuated that His followers should do good deeds, also (if not especially) to his non-followers (for instance Matth 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.%26gt;%26gt;



No. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: 45 That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust.



46 For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this? 47 And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? do not also the heathens this? 48 Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.



Jesus wants us to love everyone, including our enemies - and puts a special emphasis on loving enemies because it is not neceesarily human nature to do so.





%26lt;%26lt;Give to him that asketh thee, etc. turn the other cheek)%26gt;%26gt;



"Turn the other cheek" does not mean 'ignore one's moral iniquities".





%26lt;%26lt;Question 2: is this the correct interpretation?%26gt;%26gt;



No, and I've already explained why.





%26lt;%26lt;Question 3: why are the main issues in American Christian politics gay marriage and abortion (the things the "non-followers" do) and not about concerns about fellow citizens who live in problems: poverty, health, famine, no house, etc.?%26gt;%26gt;



Already answered this question above.





%26lt;%26lt;Question 4: In Europe Christian political parties emphasize the problems of poverty etc. Is there a historical explanation for this different behaviour in the States?%26gt;%26gt;



So do political parties in America. In America, there is no disagreement over whether or not to do something about poverty, etc. The debate is centered around how to handle such issues.



When it comes to abortion and same-sex marriage, people are either for or against. These issues, by their very nature, don't lend themselves to compromise. It's all or nothing, win or lose, stand or fall. For this reason, these issues are the most polarizing and, thus, the most attactive when it comes to the media coverage.

American Christian Politics: about abortion, and not social problems?I agree.



I for one am 'pro-life', but Americans on the right seem to be 'pro-life' AND pro-gun, pro-death penalty, etc. Which to me makes little sense.



But regarding Question 1: Jesus did indeed instruct his followers to go out and teach in His name the truth Jesus brought.



He NEVER said let them do what they want.



Question 2: is redundant as it's covered in Q1, but NO your interpretation is wrong



Question 3: It's because Jesus never said go and do your own thing. Gays are not the way of God.



And yes Jesus was concerned about the poor. In the Book of Acts the followers of Christ practiced an early form of socialism by pooling their resources - letting the church fathers dole out to the community on a needs basis.



Question 4: The difference in the States is that they follow a Christianity tinged with rampant capitalism.American Christian Politics: about abortion, and not social problems?
Well basically in my opinion American Christians are just as concerned about issues of poverty, wars , famine etc. As a matter of fact if you were to see all the churches that have food banks and take up donations to help those in need you would see that it is issues on everyones mind. Christians arent the only religion that does it, being human its in our nature to worry about things like that. Again this is just my opinion, and I personally think you are right that in the fact that jesus never said anything about forcing his beliefs on others, then again im not the smartest person when it comes to exact quotes and such. The way I always seen it was Jesus basically said let god judge the people of the world not us judge them, but from a moral standpoint if you think somethings wrong regardless of religion we should be willing to speak our mind.