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Political Neutrality Please! (I mean my brothers and sisters)

thomas t

non-denominational Christian
If that was all they did it might be fine, but there are stories upon stories of Christians doing social work turning away LGBTQ people, or using their power over vulnerable people to victimize them, or other abuses.

Instead of calling on Christians to get out of politics, why not call in them to conduct themselves morally and ethically, whatever they do?
as bad as discrimination may be, and I think it's bad, it's still good if people do something for refugees or homeless people (@Estro Felino ).
 
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Left Coast

This Is Water
Staff member
Premium Member
Christianity better be neutral on politics.


Jesus wasn’t a politician either, I think.

Christians should focus on evangelizing and doing social work (or both), as I see it. Politics, as I see, is a distraction. Christians should focus of what they are good at.


Especially after Donald Trump turned out to have a dubious stance on democracy, Christians should learn from that and stop openly favoring one party only.

In Germany, churches have supported Hitler in many cases and Christians should learn their lessons from it.

If by neutrality you mean being non-partisan, I guess it depends what the political options are in terms of what parties exist in one's country. I don't see how any person genuinely concerned about the material conditions of their fellow man could exempt themselves from the entire political process, as public policy has a direct impact on how wealth, goods, and services are distributed in society.
 
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Samael_Khan

Goosebender
I don’t mean that living a moral life is a political stance.
I mean that the act of literally separating yourself from society is taking a political stance. You’re saying that the system is not working for you. A lot of zealous religions do that. As is their right.
And Jesus and his followers did that to a certain extent.
Jesus did say to pay your taxes basically, so he wasn’t completely abandoning governmental responsibilities (although curiously Churches are often given tax exemption status.)


I’m going by the portrayal of Jesus as described in the Bible and as preached to me by His followers. I do not presume to know his motives or inner thoughts, I go by his actions. Is that not a fair way of assessing a person?

The Bible also says to obey governments.

Separating yourself from society can be seen as either a political stance or a neutral stance dependent on what your reasoning for it is. If you do it because you are saying the system is BS then that is political. If you are saying that you should obey the government and not take a side, obey whichever one is in charge, then that isn't political. Christianity has the understanding that Kingdoms and government are set in place by God for our benefit, so it doesn't promote acting against them because that would be challenging God's authority UNLESS you are standing up for doing God's will.

Now, to contradict myself here, I would say that since Jesus is in charge of a heavenly Kingdom, and Christians are part of that Kingdom, and that said Kingdom is planning to destroy earthly Kingdoms, the very core of Christianity is to be political in the sense that they support the heavenly Kingdom.
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
The Bible also says to obey governments.

Separating yourself from society can be seen as either a political stance or a neutral stance dependent on what your reasoning for it is. If you do it because you are saying the system is BS then that is political. If you are saying that you should obey the government and not take a side, obey whichever one is in charge, then that isn't political. Christianity has the understanding that Kingdoms and government are set in place by God for our benefit, so it doesn't promote acting against them because that would be challenging God's authority UNLESS you are standing up for doing God's will.

Now, to contradict myself here, I would say that since Jesus is in charge of a heavenly Kingdom, and Christians are part of that Kingdom, and that said Kingdom is planning to destroy earthly Kingdoms, the very core of Christianity is to be political in the sense that they support the heavenly Kingdom.
Fair enough.
Jesus is just normally portrayed as a political figure regardless. Sometimes even unintentionally so. Which is kind of interesting
I do not like it when Christians become politicised though. It’s not been a great track record for the Church, imo.
That’s not to say Christians themselves shouldn’t have political opinions, of course. Just that when the church does get involved, some actions that are un-Christ like seem to occur
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Christianity better be neutral on politics. Jesus wasn’t a politician either, I think.
Christians should focus on evangelizing and doing social work (or both), as I see it. Politics, as I see, is a distraction. Christians should focus of what they are good at.
Especially after Donald Trump turned out to have a dubious stance on democracy, Christians should learn from that and stop openly favoring one party only.
In Germany, churches have supported Hitler in many cases and Christians should learn their lessons from it.

Right, Jesus wasn't a politician, he did Not even get involved in the issues of the day between the Jews and Romans but remained Neutral.
When the people wanted Jesus for their king, Jesus declined - see John 6:15
Jesus would Not govern over Earth at that time frame - see Luke 19:11-15

Yes, Hitler's Germany should teach a lesson
See if this link works
http://www.nobeliefs.com/nazis.htm
 

InChrist

Free4ever
Christianity better be neutral on politics.


Jesus wasn’t a politician either, I think.

Christians should focus on evangelizing and doing social work (or both), as I see it. Politics, as I see, is a distraction. Christians should focus of what they are good at.


Especially after Donald Trump turned out to have a dubious stance on democracy, Christians should learn from that and stop openly favoring one party only.

In Germany, churches have supported Hitler in many cases and Christians should learn their lessons from it.
For the most part, I agree. Although, I believe Christians living in the U.S. have the privilege and responsibility to vote for those whose policies most closely line up with the Bible, without getting into idolizing a politician.
 

InChrist

Free4ever
You say that as if they're mutually exclusive things.
The government of the time was under the Roman Empire. The Temple was under the authority of the Jews. It was Jews who were taking financial advantage of fellow Jews to make money. That is what Jesus was angered over, not the political system.
 

Cooky

Veteran Member
Christianity better be neutral on politics.


Jesus wasn’t a politician either, I think.

Christians should focus on evangelizing and doing social work (or both), as I see it. Politics, as I see, is a distraction. Christians should focus of what they are good at.


Especially after Donald Trump turned out to have a dubious stance on democracy, Christians should learn from that and stop openly favoring one party only.

In Germany, churches have supported Hitler in many cases and Christians should learn their lessons from it.

Why don't you just speak for yourself, and let others act according to their lives? Because: "Political Neutrality Please! (I mean my brothers and sisters)" seems like you're trying to boss people around as if you're some kind leader of the Christian's.

Are you an authority figure in Christianity..?
 

Cooky

Veteran Member
Wouldn't it be true that everyone has individual talents, and that sometimes Christian's can be politicians, actors, lawyers, tax collectors, carpenters, counselors, firefighters, etc..?

...There should be no need to exclude certain professions, or interests from the Christian life, if it's in good conscience.
 

74x12

Well-Known Member
Christianity better be neutral on politics.


Jesus wasn’t a politician either, I think.

Christians should focus on evangelizing and doing social work (or both), as I see it. Politics, as I see, is a distraction. Christians should focus of what they are good at.


Especially after Donald Trump turned out to have a dubious stance on democracy, Christians should learn from that and stop openly favoring one party only.

In Germany, churches have supported Hitler in many cases and Christians should learn their lessons from it.
Just don't be a sheeple. You won't win popularity contests talking about the truth of politics but I do it anyway. Trump and Biden are controlled. There is no political solution with dems and repubs.

I know people don't want to hear me. They'd rather believe in politicians like Trump or Obama. The scripture says don't put your trust in princes.
 

Estro Felino

Believer in free will
Premium Member
Just don't be a sheeple. You won't win popularity contests talking about the truth of politics but I do it anyway. Trump and Biden are controlled. There is no political solution with dems and repubs.

I know people don't want to hear me. They'd rather believe in politicians like Trump or Obama. The scripture says don't put your trust in princes.

The Scriptures say : Be as pure as doves and as prudent as serpents.
 

Samael_Khan

Goosebender
Fair enough.
Jesus is just normally portrayed as a political figure regardless. Sometimes even unintentionally so. Which is kind of interesting
I do not like it when Christians become politicised though. It’s not been a great track record for the Church, imo.
That’s not to say Christians themselves shouldn’t have political opinions, of course. Just that when the church does get involved, some actions that are un-Christ like seem to occur

Yeah, you are very correct. That is why it is good to distinguish between what Jesus supposedly taught in the Bible, what early Christians believed and what Christians have believed throughout the ages. Jesus has been politicised since it became the state religion of Rome, because state religions serve the state's agenda, and so he was used in politics as wars. If we look at the reformation, we see both a theological agenda and a political one, which is why Henry VIII was involved.

Church and state would be separate as a rule. We have seen how the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire were affected when church and politics got mixed.

Politicians will also use the religion to manipulate believers, not by appealing to secular politics, but by saying that true believers vote for such and such a person or party.
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
Yeah, you are very correct. That is why it is good to distinguish between what Jesus supposedly taught in the Bible, what early Christians believed and what Christians have believed throughout the ages. Jesus has been politicised since it became the state religion of Rome, because state religions serve the state's agenda, and so he was used in politics as wars. If we look at the reformation, we see both a theological agenda and a political one, which is why Henry VIII was involved.

Church and state would be separate as a rule. We have seen how the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire were affected when church and politics got mixed.

Politicians will also use the religion to manipulate believers, not by appealing to secular politics, but by saying that true believers vote for such and such a person or party.
I do find it interesting to contrast Eastern Orthodoxy with Western Christianity.
I don’t know who is closer to the early Christians. I would assume Eastern Orthodoxy, but I am largely ignorant on the subject so I don’t know.

My Uncle who went to a Catholic boarding school and largely adopted the “culture” often laments to me that Christ depends entirely on the lens of the person talking about him. Meaning he seems to be able to adapt to any political stance at the drop of the hat, with some “interesting” interpretations being the cause.
 

Samael_Khan

Goosebender
I do find it interesting to contrast Eastern Orthodoxy with Western Christianity.
I don’t know who is closer to the early Christians. I would assume Eastern Orthodoxy, but I am largely ignorant on the subject so I don’t know.
I am also mostly ignorant. When we think of Christianity during the middle ages we think of Rome, but everybody seems to ignore the Byzantine Empire which didn't even go through the Dark Ages because they didn't lose information as they weren't raided and destroyed until the Turks defeated them much later. I do know that the two have Trinitarian theology that differs.

My Uncle who went to a Catholic boarding school and largely adopted the “culture” often laments to me that Christ depends entirely on the lens of the person talking about him. Meaning he seems to be able to adapt to any political stance at the drop of the hat, with some “interesting” interpretations being the cause.
Your Uncle is very correct. This adaptability applies to all followers of religions..
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
I am also mostly ignorant. When we think of Christianity during the middle ages we think of Rome, but everybody seems to ignore the Byzantine Empire which didn't even go through the Dark Ages because they didn't lose information as they weren't raided and destroyed until the Turks defeated them much later. I do know that the two have Trinitarian theology that differs.

Oh wow. That’s interesting. I knew the Byzantine Empire was important. But I either forgot what I learnt or it was just through games like Assassins Creed lol

Your Uncle is very correct. This adaptability applies to all followers of religions..
I agree. It can be a rather potent tool
 
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