“The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” -United States House Judiciary Committee, 1854.
I don’t want to be antagonistic towards you because I love much of your work and writing, but this premise you have posited here is just not true. If you know that Christianity is the biggest blessing to nations, including our own, why would you actively prevent its promotion? I surely am not for forcing anyone to convert; but having people hear a message is not forcing them. That is a lie, and I remember as a teenager accusing my parents of that very same thing. They were reading the Bible to me, and we said in return, “you’re forcing us to convert.” This wasn’t true at all; actually they were doing us a tremendous service.
I’m not sure about that, nor am I sure that I side with many in the “Christian Nationalist” crowd. It’s becoming such a broad term. The first time I heard it I said, “Christian Nationalism? What’s that? Sounds like historical America.” Which brings me to your point about homosexuality—wasn’t that illegal years ago? I guess that’s a broad question; I mean at the state and local level. I know it was not illegal at the federal level.
Yes, concerning homosexuality I am definitely for making it illegal. It is not helpful at all, and rather confuses people greatly concerning sexual orientation, than frees them, as it professes to do. If this could be done by the consent of us all, by repentance toward God, it would be the best way to cultural blessing. Legislating morality without first obtaining the consent of the heart of people, I agree, is a rough business. But sometimes it is necessary—think about slavery and the Civil War.
Sounds like you and I are talking about two different things. There is absolutely nothing wrong with promoting Christianity. In fact, the Bible calls us to do that very thing. This was not an indictment of people evangelizing for Christ.
But what I'm talking about is something far different. I'm talking about people who want government power so they can use the power of the state to compel people to live in accordance with their theology.
In the article, I mentioned Christian Nationalist thinkers who advocate for imposing the death penalty for homosexuality, adultery, and other sins. I'm talking about those who want to FORCE people to adhere to their behavioral standards.
Government has no role in controlling people's personal morality.
Even further, Jesus Christ never advocated for the things we're seeing from the Christian Nationalist movement. If anything, this will do more to repel people from Christianity than to attract them.
Great job, Jeff. Have you heard of the Libertarian Christian Institute and Norman Horn?
I don't think I have, but I'll check it out.
“The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” -United States House Judiciary Committee, 1854.
I don’t want to be antagonistic towards you because I love much of your work and writing, but this premise you have posited here is just not true. If you know that Christianity is the biggest blessing to nations, including our own, why would you actively prevent its promotion? I surely am not for forcing anyone to convert; but having people hear a message is not forcing them. That is a lie, and I remember as a teenager accusing my parents of that very same thing. They were reading the Bible to me, and we said in return, “you’re forcing us to convert.” This wasn’t true at all; actually they were doing us a tremendous service.
I’m not sure about that, nor am I sure that I side with many in the “Christian Nationalist” crowd. It’s becoming such a broad term. The first time I heard it I said, “Christian Nationalism? What’s that? Sounds like historical America.” Which brings me to your point about homosexuality—wasn’t that illegal years ago? I guess that’s a broad question; I mean at the state and local level. I know it was not illegal at the federal level.
I'm not using the leftist definition of Christian Nationalism, which is basically "anyone who disagrees with Democrats."
I'm talking specifically about those who want to use government to impose their religious beliefs on everyone else using government force.
Yes, homosexuality was illegal years ago, which was wrong. So was blasphemy. There are some who wish to bring these laws back.
Yes, concerning homosexuality I am definitely for making it illegal. It is not helpful at all, and rather confuses people greatly concerning sexual orientation, than frees them, as it professes to do. If this could be done by the consent of us all, by repentance toward God, it would be the best way to cultural blessing. Legislating morality without first obtaining the consent of the heart of people, I agree, is a rough business. But sometimes it is necessary—think about slavery and the Civil War.
Thanks for chiming in.
Sounds like you and I are talking about two different things. There is absolutely nothing wrong with promoting Christianity. In fact, the Bible calls us to do that very thing. This was not an indictment of people evangelizing for Christ.
But what I'm talking about is something far different. I'm talking about people who want government power so they can use the power of the state to compel people to live in accordance with their theology.
In the article, I mentioned Christian Nationalist thinkers who advocate for imposing the death penalty for homosexuality, adultery, and other sins. I'm talking about those who want to FORCE people to adhere to their behavioral standards.
Government has no role in controlling people's personal morality.
Even further, Jesus Christ never advocated for the things we're seeing from the Christian Nationalist movement. If anything, this will do more to repel people from Christianity than to attract them.