Labels and Division
It’s puzzling and sad how our country has become so divided over religion and politics. Today social media allows anyone to engage in verbal and written rhetoric directed at anyone or anything that is in disagreement with their beliefs, both political and religious.
Democrats are labeled “liberal” or “progressive”. They're also called socialists, terrorists, communists, and many other derogatory labels.
Many are led to believe that Democrats aren’t Christians or do not believe in God, which is far from the truth.
Republicans proudly call themselves “conservative” while others label them as, right wingers, radicals, obstructionists, etc. They proudly claim to adhere to family values, attend church, and believe in God, while many are actually placing money and power first in their lives.
What Happened to my Church?
My memory of attending church was with a diverse mix of people; all ages, ethnic groups, and no one questioned their political beliefs. We went to church to hear a sermon preached from the bible. Somewhere, the church began to lose their way. Their mission and message changed from delivering God’s word of hope, faith, charity, and love to a self-serving menu. Congregations of old and new converts bought into the philosophy of being rich and powerful at all costs. The word of God has been watered down with sprinkles of prejudice, self-importance, and political rhetoric to fulfill a specific right wing agenda that doesn’t even come close to biblical teachings
What and how did this happen to our churches?
False Doctrines and Teachings
God’s word, the Holy Bible, has many things to say about riches and providing for people less fortunate. It certainly doesn’t say that being rich is a sign that you’re a Christian or that all poor people are sinners.
Many of today’s ministries preach that if you’re not rich and in good health, you’re not living according to God’s principles.
Investment seminars and political meetings have become as commonplace as Sunday School or Wednesday night services. New churches have sprung up in every community and it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between The Tea Party meetings and Church prayer meetings.. Hatred, false charges, discrimination, and divisiveness abound in some of these gatherings. If you dare to voice a difference of opinion, you are labeled as a troublemaker, traitor, or other names best unmentioned.
Many church goers have dropped from the rolls and many, who may have become new members, are turned off by the toxic atmosphere. They don’t
Seem to fit into this type of religion that fosters hatred and division instead of the wonderful love and caring of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christian Democrats Do Exist!
Christian Democrats are numerous and have a firm belief in both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. I’m so thankful that we still have Christian brothers and sisters who cherish and believe that sound Christian doctrine should include the entire bible.
The links below are just a few of the sites for information and fellowship that truly blesses your heart and soul.
http://www.thechristianleft.org/
Bible Scripture regarding wealth and riches
Heb 13:5 "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have."
Ps 37:7,16 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way... Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.
Prov 23:4-5 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Luke "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Mat -21 "Do not save riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, save riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are."
Deuteronomy "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
Deuteronomy 24:17 "Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns." "Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge."
Psalm 9:9 "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
Psalm "But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish."
Psalm 12:5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the LORD, I will protect them from those who malign them."
Psalm 14:6 “You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge."
Psalm 34:6 "This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."
Psalm 35:10 "My whole being will exclaim, who is like you, 0 LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.'"
Bible Scripture on dishonesty
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Proverbs 20:17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10
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