Joe Biden’s Moral Dilemma

Yet Obama mocked Romney in this week’s debate for wanting to cut off millions of taxpayer dollars that go to Planned Parenthood.

and why does he do that? So he can inflame those that want the monies to pay for the continuance of wrongful sex practices outside of marraige who do not want to cease from such..but want others to pay for their mistakes even when they were given condoms to try to stop the overpopulation when they go about having a one nighter only to find that the girl got pregnant. That same man could get a different woman preganat almost every day cause they are not dating to marry these days..they are dating to engage in sex and fun together. So if the taxpayer picks up the tab for their ‘mistakes?” they will not learn to be responsible parents that way.

and why does the Pres. and VicePres. want to get Planned Parenthood involved, cause they are known as abortion clinics to the majority of people and that would cut off their supply for funding to those who cannot afford to do so. Thereby they know that there are more children and even adults that practice sex without restrictions or caring about parenting then ever before…and thereby that costs votes. Harloting for the vote is what that is.

Let’s all stop deciding when an infant is really an infant in the womb…and realize it is much more involved than the flesh.

when does the soul of a baby enter the sperm/egg? can anyone tell? If all babies go to heaven, why preach the gospel? The fornicators will continue getting pregnant and having you pay for the abortion and tell you that it’s okay cause the baby went to heaven? hUH?

I tell you the truth of my own story…I was 16 and my dad had just remarried. I was pregnant from an office party while drinking and under age. I wanted the child, but my step mom didn’t. It was illegal in the states, so they and the young man decided to send me alone to England for an abortion. I arrived there a few days by myself and started in morning sickness (i did not know christ then)…and something was telling me not to do it by making me think I shouldn’t (conscience) and I almost got away with it but those people knew better and had me talk to one of their staff and he convinced me how foolish I would look if I went back to the USA and didn’t get the abortion. So I did.

I came to the Lord in my forties, after two marraiges I was unable to have a child. I inquired of the Lord what happened to my baby regarding heaven when I learned about the gospel. I had heard many say that all babies go to heaven but I didn’t understand how that would be as why is there a choice when an adult or even a teenager? I heard back from Christ. He told me ‘if their name is in the Lamb’s book of Life then be assured that the child made it”. What an answer! not knowing for sure but resting in the fact that He does. Then He told me…go and preach the gospel and tell them, it isn’t just about the flesh as the embryo…it is about the soul of the flesh. Now why this??? cause the same Lord tells the church of Thyatira that if they continue in their fornications that He will destroy the babies of those fornicators…was He speaking of destoying the flesh or the soul? Look it up, Revelation chapter 2 if we are to beleive that it is our Lord that said that.

Now I am 60years old, no children, no parents… so what do I think of that arranged abortion? I wish that there had been a choice for me to make the decision and someone as wise about such to talk with me. I think that a way should be made for those seeking an abortion under age, should be the responsibility of the parent to pay for such (one time and they will set new rules at their home)..but give them an option that if they speak with a counselor (another job creator) about a foster home then I think that the govt. should come up with a program that pays the foster parents for the delivery and early care of the baby if they take that option. However if there is a couple that wants an abortion and they are of age..then let them pay for it and take the responsiblity but if they choose to have the baby then perhaps there could be some financial help. I do not think we can ever get all to avoid abortions as an option…but I trust if we spend our tax payer dollars in finding those wise in counsel to speak with them and offer incentives financially to keep the baby that more will do that. But don’t put the burden on those who do not care for birth control or abortions to pay for them. The government is trying to get out of financing the mother and children is why they want the birth control..and quite frankly I can’t blame them for that… but what they fail to understand is that the problem can be better solved following GOD’s way with teaching abstinance but in this day and age many parents won’t…and that is why they should have to pay for their child’s abortion or delivery.

GOD made families to be families…not fornicators to get tax money to pay for the offspring whether kept or not as a way to get around learning responsibility.

I confess, this is the first time I’ve heard this argument: God puts everyone in office, therefore we should always support the incumbent.

A few questions arise immediately that you might consider:

1) Why did Moses lead the Israelites out of captivity, away from their Egyptian rulers? Didn’t God intend for them to be ruled by the Egyptians?

2) The Israelites demanded a king, even though it was not God’s will for them and He let them have their way. Why? (1 Sam. 8)

3) Why did Peter and the apostles defy the authorities in Acts 5 by saying, “We must obey God rather than men.” Were they wrong?

4) If you lived in Germany in the 1930′s, would you vote for Hitler, declaring him God’s choice? (The recent biography on Dietrich Boenhoffer would be an inspirational read for you.)

5) If God’s will cannot be thwarted by man’s sin, and it’s His will that “none should perish,” why do some perish?

I’m also curious who you voted for last election, with no incumbent or previous VP running. Just some thoughts to ponder. 

I agree that Mormonism is false theology. Liberation theology is also false. Neither candidate measures up from a theological standpoint.

Any racism, directed at anyone in or out of office, is wrong and I stand against it. Always have and always will. I know of no significant evangelical leader who tolerates racism.

Dr Robinson, while i agree that abortion is the mordern day scourge of this Country , iam amazed at how that one party hang out there so-called banners of righteousness on this issue only during election time and many within the church,yourself included,fall right in line with them……..and yet abottion is still going sadly strong!…this even through 3 republican administrations (including their patron saint (pun intended) which shall go nameless. Also, I grew up during the 70′s and as a curious 16 yr old was confronted with all sorts of new age garbage and cults of “new thought”mumbo-jumbo, but thanks to the works of Dr John Ankerberg,and the late Walter Martin….did not drink of those cups… Yet fast forward to today and i look in dismay as many in the Church are looking the other way and giving a pass to their candidate of choice labeling him as a good man (which he may well be),etc,etc yet was raised in ,and still part of,a belief system that is completely opposite of Scripture !! I find myself in quite a dillema as an African-American Christian republican who is appalled at the amount of balant racism and disrespect leveled at this President yet the Christian-Right goes silent……i wonder why???? Hypocrisy in the church have a new color.

It’s not racism just because a person is white and another person is black and they disagree. So tired of the “race card”.

Well said.

It is not so much their standing against their own emphasized beliefs that stabs at my heart, as disgraceful as that might be, but that their chosen method is a decidedly dirty dance with lies and deception. Health, safety, protection, privacy, finances, freedom, sex, race, and even concern for family are all ‘good’ purposes/results offered through deceitfully twisted definitions to further this murderous rampage on the helpless of humanity. It is especially applied upon the minority populations. We all, daily, must look upon our own actions for the deeper intentions of our hearts, because deceit lays in waiting if it goes unchecked. This is the saddest part of all, in this political arena, because we as ‘enlightened Americans’ repeatedly and continually choose this deceit when we enter the voting booth. Not only do we allow ourselves to be misled and lied to, but we also choose to offer our continued support for those who claim to be leading in this area. The path Biden and Obama have chosen, no matter their religious persuasion, is a despicable one and one for which they will be judged harshly. Our own voting choice will reveal our path… and the possibilities for our country.

James,
Those who yell “racism” the loudest and keep the racism fires burning are the real racists. I can say by the Holy Spirit as my witness, with 100% accuracy, racism does not exist among the Bride of Jesus Christ.

James, I read your comments about Mormonism and I would like to say what we as Christians that understand the doctrine of how Yeshua became the High Priest and still is…need to know the exact reason why the Mormon faith cannot be based on the teaching of Joseph Smith’s dream/vision…yet they can have faith in GOD and Christ just like anyone else…but their doctrine of what priesthood they are under is what is ‘out of whack’. This is an article I did on the subject during the campaign for Republicn candidate. Pls read.

Be teachable by GOD and Christ Jesus

that’s what the saying means..’BE TEACHABLE’.
For some have been raised in ‘comfortable doctrine’ though they speak of Christ and even minister to those who have no knowledge of Christ and the Bible….and even minister to some who call themselves of the Christian faith, but outside the LDS doctrine of the book of Mormon. You see the doctrine of the LDS, Mormon faith believe that only Mormons will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven but I must say that they are not the only denomination of those who call on the name of Jesus to believe that (for there are other denomination/sects that also believe that they are the door to the Door). I know it is good to assemble with same minded followers of Christ Jesus and recommended to do so…but when the denomination becomes the ‘door’ to the ‘ Door’…then we must analyze just what does GOD say thru His Son. Jesus said ,”Verily, verily, I say unto you, I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP” “i AM THE DOOR; BY ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN, HE SHALL BE SAVED, AND SHALL GO IN AND OUT, AND FIND PASTURE’ (John 10:7,9). So who gives the right to some of these denominations/sects to claim that they are the door to the Door? so what denomination/sect was the thief on the cross that day with Christ Jesus who went to paradise just because Christ stated he would? what priesthood, what Bible, what church assembly, what annointing,…just what was it that made Christ be the Door for that man who was being crucified for being a thief? It was faith and it pleased GOD…and the man was humble and admitted his wrongdoings.

Recently I have spent some hours with some LDS members and asked for some literature. Some of you here know that I have had studies in Christian history (my set called ‘rightly discerning the truth’) so I was interested in just who are the Mormons? Especially because Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman are of mormon faith and upbringing and are presently running in hopes to be the Republican candidate for the office run for Presidency of the United States. Now I would like to vote for the candidate with the ‘best’ qualifications for the job of Presidency yet my greatest desire is that a Christian man or woman lead this nation as that way the Holy Spirit will guide the best….yet even GOD used kings like Nebechadnezzer and Cyrus to rule when his people were out of order. Howbeit that was before the Christ leadership was established in the New Testament….yet today we need to sort out just what is involved in being a Christian by learning about what the doctrinal differences are if possible. For one may say that they are a Christian yet the assembly that they gather with may be walking in ‘error’ according to the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

I have come to find out that those of Mormon faith have some truth (the Jesus Christ of the Bible New Testament) MIXED IN with some misleadings of early 1800 followers of Christ. Now how do I know this? because Christ received the priesthood authority by the baptism that John gave Him and John shortly thereafter died…with Christ (of the line of Judah) obtaining the High Priesthood FOREVER. The research is available to those I entrust it so you may find the following link marked private. If you are interested pls contact me here at flickr (by joining flickr if not a present member) or by emailing or calling me in case I sent you some of my research already.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/biblepostcards/3358907154/in/set-72...
The mormons believe from the writings of Joseph Smith that Joseph Smith received the mantle of priesthood in a vision when John the Baptist appeared to him and gave him and some others the mantle of priestly authority in the Aaronic priesthood. Now if you cannot understand that Christ inherited the priesthood and it was John the Baptist that transferred the High Priest annointing to Yeshua and a new priesthood thereby established then read Hebrews, chapters 5-9 as that is what the writer was establishing in the epistle to the Hebrews when he told them that though it was evident that the original priesthood had been given to Aaron and His sons yet here they found that the priesthood had changed to the Judah line of Israel and of course that would always be for Yeshua as He would live forever.
For Joseph Smith (or whomever that gave him that info) to proclaim that there is a restoration of the priesthood of Aaron and even of Melchisedec by GOD thru the mormon faith is contrary to sound doctrine and puts the work of Christ to shame. Though the LDS missionaries claim to utilize the New Testament of the Bible as a working tool with the Book of Mormon…the claims of the writings of Joseph Smith and his followers do not stand with the writings of the early apostles of the New Testament rather they are contrary. But it will take GOD himself to draw such a one to the truth so that they can be teachable and come out of the mormon doctrine….and then be taught by the one and only Teacher, the Holy Spirit of Truth, sent by GOD to reveal His son Christ Jesus.

We live in an age in which Jesus Christ, who is the word of the Holy Spirit made flesh, is viewed as some antiquated and primitive notion we have outlived. The societal attitude is that the contemporary knowledge and enlightenment we possess has far surpassed the primitive ideologies and outdated theology of scripture. Satan has influenced the masses to see Jesus Christ as an uneducated, sandal and robe wearing bearded mystic who lived without scientific advancement, did not experience progressive educational academia and possess the current means and methods of modern achievement.

Ask yourself this question, is it actually feasible and sensible to embrace the philosophy of a man who lived nearly 2000 years ago who was not privy to contemporary western culture and its knowledge and pleasantries? I mean, all things considered, we continue to live, learn, and die as they have since the beginning. Mystics appear and doomsday prophets and messiahs have dotted the annals of history. Civilizations and cultures rise and fall, but time just keeps on ticking. We win some and we lose some, but we keep progressing. We live and die and another generation perpetuates our philosophies and continues to build. Can a mere man born 2000 years ago have realized how far advanced the American culture would be compared to his primitive insights and theology? C’mon be reasonable. This is 2012 not 30 A.D.

We have the richest and most successful religious denominations in history, we have built the finest educational institutions ever devised, technology has no limitations, and medical marvels are achieved as never before. We journeyed to the moon, science has touched down on mars, our satellites roam the heavens, and billions have been spent on space shuttles and space stations.

We research atoms and molecules, electrons and protons, quarks and gluons, and we can discuss different types of matters such as ordinary matter, which is what we see around us, cosmic matter, those that originated from space, high-energy matter, those only stable (or exist) in a high energy environment (for example in a particle accelerator or the early Universe) and antimatter. So, do we really have need of a bearded Jew who rode a donkey, did not own a home, had no place to sleep, was taken care of by widows, and ostracized by his own people as a heretic and killed? Does it seem absurd? Choices are being made…

Every human on the planet is and will be provided the opportunity to make a choice in respect to scriptural standards, human rights and individual perceptions. The choices made extend to President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, every Senator, Congressman, Judge, Governor, Mayor, every white and blue collar citizen, and each professing believer, make believer, and nonbeliever. Choices are being made every day. The Lord Jesus Christ, the revealed Joshua of prophecy, asks each person “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve the LORD. And if it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day who you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”.

This choice is just as emphatic in 2012 as it was at the time Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers to listen to his revelation and admonition. The Joshua of this day, Jesus the Messiah, allows us the same choice and is calling for the leaders of this nation to listen to the same admonition.

We can choose the lying idols and gods of politics, embrace the erroneous and arrogant doctrines of human philosophy, give our allegiance to the deception of antichrist and anti-word religions, fall prey to the influence of devilish hypocrisy and rebellion, or submit to Thus Saith The Lord by the Revelation of Jesus Christ. In our age, in our time, and in this year we are summoned by the Holy Spirit to choose this day who we will serve. The Lord God requires that a decision is made and we will be judged accordingly.

We have choices and most of the time our choices do not solicit an immediate consequence, rather right or wrong, so we continue to make our choices based upon our personal convictions, the status quo, or while under the influence of the culture we live in. Vice President Biden stated, “My religion defines who I am. And I’ve been a practicing Catholic my whole life. And it has particularly informed my social doctrine. Catholic social doctrine talks about taking care of those who can’t take care of themselves, people who need help.” He then turned it to abortion. “Life begins at conception. That’s the church’s judgment. I accept it in my personal life, but I refuse to impose it…on others.”

Not one place in his statement did he make reference to the revelation of Jesus Christ on this issue which is heart breaking. I pray that the Vice President will come to know the power of the Spirit of Christ. The humble bearded messiah from Nazareth also made a choice and was very imposing in his humility. He said “Whosoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also will the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels”. We must make a choice on this critical issue. Murder or life. The Word of God or personal preference. Politics or divine revelation. Vice President Biden is making a choice…

The following is an email sent in response to this column, along with the responses of Randy Robison (in italics) who wrote most of the column on VP Biden and to whom the email was addressed.

I feel compelled to butt in here, as I was copied on this email. As a  Democrat also, I would point out to Randy his misinformed opinion  that “Advancing abortion and homosexuality” is part of the DemocratIC  party platform. (it is Democratic party, instead of Democrat, as Frank Luntz has instructed the Republican minions to say it, as a slur).

I was not aware that “Democrat” was a slur. Nobody instructed me to be a minion or to use that term. I just go to “democrats.org” to follow the President’s campaign and somehow I thought that was correct. I have followed politics closely for many years and never heard this. I will take your correction and attempt to implement it. On the Democratic platform, I am aware that the homosexual marriage endorsement failed this time around. This is why my statement was actually “platform and priorities,” not just “platform.” It’s not yet fully written into the platform, but for most Democratics, it is a priority. At least it is with the current leadership.

We most assuredly do NOT advance abortion nor homosexuality. What an ignorant and ludicrous remark. Here is our stance on both issues:

Yes, you do. Insults aside, you do. Very much so. If it wasn’t for Democratics, neither of these issues would have advanced as much as they have.

Re: homosexuality
We do not question the perfection of anything the Lord has made, and we love all his creations, each in his/her own unique form, made as they are, in God’s image. We think it is false on its face to think person would “choose” to go against their natural inclinations and “choose” something less pleasurable. Just not a human characteristic to choose the less pleasurable way, Randy. We love them just the way they are. If God has an issue with their behavior, well, “vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” And we say, “let he without sin cast the first stone.”

Here’s the first lie: God made people gay. Here’s the second: You can’t agree with the Bible that sin is sin.

We are all born into sin, the Bible says. Our natural inclination is to do wrong. So in a sense, homosexuality may be “natural” for some. In the same way that hatred, envy, anger, deceit, and other things the Bible calls “sin” would be natural for others. God does not seek to “get vengeance” on these people. He desires to redeem them and make the “new creations” where the old inclinations die. Of course, we love people even in their sin, just as we love people who are dying of cancer. But we do not love or accept the sin, just as we do not love cancer or give up on eradicating it.

On the issue of judging, Jesus said not to judge unless you want to be judged by the same standard. He didn’t say not to judge. And he was talking about condemning people, not calling sin as it is. In fact, he turned to the woman in that story and said, “Go and sin no more.” Calling homosexuality wrong is not judging a person. If a child of mine lies, I am not judging them by telling them to quit lying. I’m telling them, in essence, “sin no more.” If you truly want to help homosexuals, quote that entire scripture, not just part of it.

Re: advancing abortion

Well, that is really a hoot to think anyone could possibly have any reason to promote abortion. Only the most gullible would believe that ridiculous lie. What could possibly be the reason anyone would want to advance abortion?

According to two former Planned Parenthood directors I’ve talked to, money. Millions of dollars. I don’t think that motivates most Democratics, but it does motivate a few who get very rich off government money, solicited donations, and abortion fees. The primary motivation to promote abortion is, obviously, to have fewer people born. Some people view babies as a “burden,” to use President Obama’s term. The idea that people should marry for life and only engage in intercourse after they are married is not very popular. Therefore, unwanted babies are conceived. Abortion gets rid of them. If, as you seem to claim, you do not want to promote or advance abortion, then please stop. Vote against abortion instead of for abortion.

Democrats believe every abortion is a tragedy. But we know that circumstances sometimes occur which force a decision to terminate a pregnancy, just as decisions are sometimes made to terminate life support. When there is a threat to the would-be mother’s life, a painful decision must be made and should appropriately be made by those who have the most to lose, and who love the embryo or fetus the most. If the mother-to-be should die, the baby-to-be would also die if it were not old enough to live on its own. Every case is unique and personal and can only be trusted to the moral judgment of those closest to the situation.

People love an “embryo or fetus”? Come on, call it what it is: a baby. It is a baby that sucks its thumb, hiccups, and dreams. I’ve seen sonograms. You can’t fool me on this one. And has anyone really pulled the plug on life support because their parent or grandparent was an accident? Or because caring for a sick person inhibited their career? Abortion is not just “pulling the plug.” It’s going in with a sharp object or poisonous liquid and killing what would otherwise live.

But that’s really not the debate.

The policy of most Republicans includes an exception when the life of the mother is at stake. Not all, but most, including myself. If I had ever faced that decision (and with my second child, thought we might), I wouldn’t want a politician in the loop or a judge waiting to throw me in jail. The current debate over abortion is not about the life of the mother. Only a very small minority would outlaw abortion when the mother’s life is at risk and those people will never get that passed. The majority of Republicans would prevent that from happening, so Democratics need not imagine that’s a threat. Anyone who tells you it is really is attempting to play upon your fear.

In the case of rape, it is simply wrong to further traumatize the victim by forcing her to nourish a fertilized egg in her womb and carry it to full-term baby. She also has a right to life and liberty. In the case of rape, there should be a cleansing as soon as possible, likely preventing the fertilization of the egg. If that does not take place, and she does become pregnant, she is the only one who can decide if she wants to bear what she may consider an abomination. That is not your decision; you are no more morally equipped to make that decision than the one who is the victim.

Actually, someone who isn’t being traumatized is usually in a better position to make a clear moral decision, but again that’s not the issue. You are arguing against someone else on this one, too. I never made that case. I don’t even believe life begins at conception, which is not very popular among my peers, but that’s an entirely different discussion. We legislate as if life begins at birth, which only a fool would believe. But again, Republicans are not proposing to outlaw abortion in the case of rape. If someone’s telling you that, they are just trying to frighten you.

In the case of abortions due to unwanted pregnancy, well, if the rightwing so-called evangelicals used common sense, they could easily understand that the easiest way to prevent those abortions is to prevent unwanted pregnancy through the use of birth control.

Actually, abstinence has a higher success rate than birth control, but I realize it’s not on the Democratic agenda to tell people to abstain from frequent sex with multiple partners. Maybe that’s why so many Democratics favor homosexuality: no pregnancies! (Homosexuals cannot conceive children together…nature’s little bit of bigotry, I suppose.) I think perhaps you’re a bit confused here: it’s the Catholic church that opposes birth control. Evangelicals, for the most part, do not.

And if you don’t believe in pregnancy prevention, I hope you don’t partake of medicines to prevent blood pressure disease or diabetes, or liver disease, etc., nor any vaccinations to prevent small pox or polio. In fact, you can quit brushing your teeth to prevent cavities, or wearing a raincoat to prevent catching a cold.

So if I abstain from sex to prevent a pregnancy, I shouldn’t wear a raincoat? That’s weird.

If you think preventing young women from using birth control will prevent their sexual activity, you are sadly mistaken. Anyway, do you want these young women to make a moral choice to not be promiscuous, or do you want them to choose only out of fear of pregnancy? Is fear what should drive a Christian decision instead of morals?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But whatever…I just wish abortion wasn’t used as birth control. Frankly, I don’t care why.

Or do you just want to make sure the young woman gets her just punishment for engaging in sexual activity? “She made her bed and she should lay in it” is hardly Christian doctrine.

Wait, let me get this right. Carrying a baby to term is punishing a girl, but killing the baby is not the ultimate punishment? Maybe we should take a survey: Which would you prefer, nine months of pregnancy or death? I’m thinking the former would win by a landslide. And “thou shalt not commit murder” is Christian doctrine. Murder is killing an innocent person. Of what is a baby in the womb guilty?

You can leave off the judging others anytime you want to. You simply are not intelligent enough, nor informed enough to speak to what  Democrats or anyone else believes or is advancing. If you want to know what we believe, just ask and we will tell you. We don’t try to put words in your mouth, and we also don’t try to imply that Jesus Christ has endorsed a particular candidate.

So judging others is wrong. And without actually knowing me, you’ve judged me to be an idiot? This is getting ridiculous. I quoted VP Biden in the column, so the words in his mouth were actually his words. Google it. And I never said Jesus Christ endorsed Mitt Rommey. You’re putting words in my mouth on that one.

This is what I call taking the Lord’s name in vain: using Jesus  Christ to advance your own gain, political or financial. You don’t really want to be accused of being a Pharisee, do you?

I suspect I’m about to be…

And what was it the Lord said about a rich man’s chances of entering the kingdom of heaven? Are you offering any lessons to your flock about threading camels through the eyes of needles?

Sure, here’s the lesson. First of all, the “needle” is the small door on the side of a city wall. Back then, that’s what they called it. Jesus wasn’t talking about a sewing mechanism. Camels DID go through the “eye of the needle” by getting on their knees. God doesn’t have a separate standard for wealthy people when it comes to salvation. They get on their knees, humble themselves, lay aside idols, and confess Jesus as Lord just like poor people. (On a side note, “rich” is a relative term. You have a computer and, I’m guessing a TV, refrigerator, and probably a car. By the standards of the world as a whole, you are rich.)

And what was it the Lord said was the root of ALL evil?

Love. Love of money, that is. And it’s all sorts of evil, not simply all evil.

Are you quite certain you understand that?

Yes. “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Got it.

Does Mitt Romney understand that, in your opinion?

I don’t know. I hope so. Maybe the fact that he gives away so much money is a good indicator. He gave away an average of 13.45% of his income over the last 20 years. Of course, if we go by that, it reflects poorly on some Democratics in office, especially VP Biden. The Obamas gave away an average of 7% over the last decade. The Bidens gave away 1.5% last year. Beyond that, I’m not sure what they gave. I wish they all understood the power of giving. Maybe they’d quit trying to confiscate more of yours and mine.

You say it’s not up to the government to care for the poor; that this should be a function of the church. In other words, “the people” should not provide for unforeseen circumstances or old age or sickness or rainy days? Is that what you are suggesting?

Not for everyone, no. Mitt Romney doesn’t need any money from you or me when he retires. For those who do need help, do you really trust the government to do it right? Let them provide a safety net. But condoms for college kids (as in Sandra Fluke)? No.

Social Security and medicare are simply cases of “the people” acting in a responsible manner by providing for these inevitable circumstances. We, as a people, are certainly allowed to band together and provide for the “common good” and “common wealth” as is so often referenced in our founding documents.

Of course you’re allowed to. The question is how much you are forced to. When you give voluntarily, it’s called charity. When someone takes your money by force so they can help someone they think is more deserving, it’s no longer charity.

It is not a fact that someone somewhere must make money or charge usury on every human transaction.

The internet’s still free…for now.

It is not the government’s job to serve up “the people” as a market to some predatory organization for their financial gain. ie: insurance companies.

ie: the government.

How is it Medicare operates with 3% administration fees and insurance companies require 37%?

I’ll bet you a steak dinner these numbers are not accurate.

Who gave insurance companies the right to come between us and basic health care?

Government did. Another reason I don’t trust them.

To decide what procedures would be covered and what  prescriptions would be honored?

You can actually get procedures and prescriptions that aren’t covered. I’ve done it. If there are some you want, you might do that quickly. Obamacare could outlaw cash-for-service, if some get their way.

Can you not see that they have an inverse incentive to actually deliver health care? The less they pay out, the more they get to keep for themselves. What kind of sense does that make? The usual way of business is for earnings to go up as deliveries go up. But with insurance providers, it is exactly the opposite.

I’m not agreeing with your analysis of healthcare companies or insurance providers, but I have my own, which is not a favorable one for most insurance companies. They’ve gotten up way too far in our business (by “our” I mean mine and my doctor’s). Too many bureaucrats tacking on fees, paying off lawyers, and driving up the cost. I want fewer non-medical people in the medical business, not more. That’s why adding government bureaucrats defies common sense.

Furthermore, what sense does it make for we Americans to pay into an insurance company for 65 years, while we are young and able-bodied and in little need of health care, and then allow the insurance companies we have paid all those years to dump us on the “government” or medicare for our care between 65 and death, when the grand majority of health care expenses will occur for all of us? It is like putting your money into one pocket all your life and expecting to find it in the other when you need it. This is a ludicrous arrangement designed to benefit only the predatory insurance companies, which Dick Armey represented across  the country with his hypocritical and fraudulent “hands off my health care” bus tour.

Why would you buy into such a policy for so many years? Read the policy! I know it’s getting harder to find a good insurance program (believe me, I know to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars) and I agree it needs some serious reform. Like allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines (which Democratics oppose) and especially through tort reform (which most Democratics and a few too many Republicans oppose). The system stinks. But government run healthcare stinks worse.

You stated: “Trampling religious liberties and diminishing expressions of Christian faith also work contrary to the things of God. There are plenty of Republicans with plenty of problems, but right now they are generally much more favorable to biblical tenets.” Are you nuts?

No, I’m informed. I don’t just listen to commentators or read press releases. I actually do my homework here.

Exactly what religious liberties do you think have been trampled, presumably by the present government.

Shutting down Catholic charities who won’t pay for birth control, which is available in most grocery stores and drugstores, to name just one.

Do you not have the right to worship as you please?

For now, although some Democratics are threatening to shut down churches that call homosexuality a sin, labeling the Bible as “hate speech.”

Has anyone ever tried to interfere with your right to pray anywhere you pleased?

I finished high school at a Christian school, so you got me here (not that I claimed someone had interfered with my prayer life). I wasn’t one of those graduating students who was told they couldn’t pray. But that’s another side issue, not related to VP Biden’s contradictions.

This is nonsense and nothing more than a hot-button issue that Republicans use to deceive their gullible base through– what else–fear.

I’m reading the article on Biden again. Where’s the fear? Or are we slaying another straw man now?

It is worth noting that religious liberties are guaranteed to all faiths in this country. Do you have a problem with that?

I suppose it depends on how you define “religious liberties.” I do have a problem with polygamy. Do you support legalized polygamy?

What you or the schools or whatever organization you are thinking of does not have, is the right to force people to pray as you do, or worship as you do. You simply do not have that right. Proselyte all you will. That is your right. But you do not have right to force a Muslim child in a public school to engage in Christian prayer or read from the Christian Bible.

Well, duh…

And by the way, the BASIC TENET of Christian faith is forgiveness.  How is it GW Bush did not ask a single soul to forgive the accused Osama bin Laden on 9-11?

Maybe because he was the president and not my pastor? Maybe because God loves justice? Maybe because to come out talking about forgiving bin Laden would be the dumbest thing a military leader could do at the time? I know the left thinks Bush was stupid, but he wasn’t THAT stupid.

Did you hear a call for forgiveness? No, what you saw was lie after lie generated as an excuse to seek revenge,

Obama killed Osama. I watched the Democratics convention. They kept repeating this point. Obama killed Osama. He got the revenge.

and even that was a farce, as the whole deal was about coveting the oil of our neighbors.

I wish we’d actually gotten some. It’s the least they could do after we freed them from tyranny.

 If we had instead just chosen to forgive our supposed enemy, 5,000 young Americans would still be alive and 100,000 innocent Iraqi men, women, and children (some unborn) would still be alive. How’s that forgiveness thing working out for the Republicans? I ask again, are you nuts or just willfully blind?

That’s not a question. That’s an accusation. And I really don’t think that if GWB had come out and said, “Wow, 9/11 sucked, but we forgive Osama” that the violence would have ended. I’m pretty sure it would have just gotten worse. And I know that Democratics would have gone absolutely ballistic if we didn’t pursue justice. I realize Obama didn’t “forgive” Osama (at least in the terms you’ve couched it in), and I know he promised to shut down Guantanamo and put terrorists on trial in civilian courts, but I applaud him for not doing those things. I’m guessing you’re pretty upset about bin Laden’s death and the continued quest for justice. Hillary Clinton said she’s going after those who killed our Ambassador in Libya and I’m glad. I think she’s right, but you and I will have to agree to disagree on that one.

Has someone tried to diminish your expression of Christian faith? I would like to hear about that.

I don’t fully understand this question, but I think we could talk about the time my dad was kicked off television for saying homosexuality was a sin.

It is simply not true that Republicans are generally more favorable to biblical tenets. The Koch brothers, Sheldon Adelson, Karl Rove & many others are hell-bent on buying the elections and rigging the elections because of their great love of money and power. These are facts.

Nope. You have judged these people wrongly.

War is not a biblical tenet.

Have you read the Old Testament? There are one or two parts involving war. Check them out.

It is President Obama who has turned the other cheek time and time again;

Like when he killed Osama?

if not, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney would’ve been tried for international war crimes by now, not to mention their collusion in allowing the Wall Street gang to make off with the US treasury after defrauding numerous poor people of their humble homes through their criminal schemes.

Or perhaps there is no real case for this, outside the circles of conspiracy theorists.

You appear to have been deceived by these masters of deception or you are willfully blind.

That’s a pretty brazen judgment based on one column and an email. And quite nasty, too.

And it is high time someone told you in a loving, Christian way, that you have apparently failed to recognize the wolves in sheep’s clothing when they appeared before you.

I’ll look for that loving correction if it comes.

Likewise, in my opinion, the false prophets you were warned about. You are warned against putting faith in faithless men; you are expected to be able to discern those who bear false witness and recognize unreliable sources like The Drudge Report, Fox News and Rush Limbaugh for the propaganda machines they are. Just ask yourself, “who stands to profit from my believing this crap?”

I don’t really have much time for The Drudge Report, Fox News and Rush Limbaugh, so I’m not going to be a reliable profit source for them.

Please do not generalize and do not repeat what you have heard without checking out the original source for yourself.

I quoted VP Biden from the NPR transcript. How much more original can I get?

There are many in this world today who willfully bear false witness. ie: preachers a few Sundays ago put forth that the president had said this was no longer a Christian nation. That is not true. That is not what he said. What he said was, “whatever we ever were or are, we are not JUST a Christian nation.” That is an easily observable fact about  this nation. We have Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc. And the fact is, we NEVER WERE just a Christian nation.

I’m not sure why we’re discussing this, but I went to CNN and found the source clip, since you insist on sources (which I think is a great idea). Listen for the word “just” and perhaps you’ll hear it better than I could. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIVd7YT0oWA

It has been stated and insinuated that our president was not a Christian, but a Muslim. That is a lie, but even if it were true, that religious preference would be protected by the same constitution that protects our religious preference.

Yes, it would be protected. Do you think you’re correcting me here, or is this just a sidebar? I’m not certain, but be assured we agree.

My sincere wishes that you will seek the truth, not repeat lies, and learn love and acceptance of all God’s creations, whatever form they may take.

I’m not going to accept God’s creations that take the form of child molesters, murderers, rapists, and things like that. Sorry, can’t do it.

It might also behoove you to give some thought as to how many more living, crawling and walking young children have been killed as a result of US support of war sanctions than were ever killed by abortion.

Does this somehow justify taking the life of a baby in the womb? I don’t quite see how the two are related, but one is heck of a lot easier to prevent than the other. Are you opposing both?

I hope you will pray for peace, and work towards it, and please disentangle the flag from the cross. Beware those who try to motivate you through fear, hatred and lies.

Thanks for the parting shot at the end. I thought I pretty well disentangled them in a previous email when I said that calling Jesus a Democrat or Republican (sorry, quoting myself there, so I didn’t say “Democratic or Republican”) was debasing His divinity. I don’t argue for nationalized healthcare because Jesus told us to care for the poor. I am willing to discuss abortion solely on scientific grounds because science proves the baby in the womb is a person. I can also discuss pulling out of the Middle East on national interest terms, not because God opposes war. Complete disentanglement there. What I cannot do is say I believe one thing, then actively work toward the opposite thing, as VP Biden does. Perhaps that’s why I’m not a Democratic.

I would like to comment on this statement taken from the above email.

“We do not question the perfection of anything the Lord has made, and we love all his creations, each in his/her own unique form, made as they are, in God’s image. We think it is false on its face to think person would “choose” to go against their natural inclinations and “choose” something less pleasurable. Just not a human characteristic to choose the less pleasurable way, Randy. We love them just the way they are. If God has an issue with their behavior, well, “vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” And we say, “let he without sin cast the first stone.”

The following scriptures provide divine testament to the Revelation of Jesus Christ concerning the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, homosexuality, God’s role in ‘giving them up’ to such perversions, and concludes with Him casting the first stone at the end of the age of grace. It is of grave importance to understand the emphasis of scripture placed upon the fact that “God gave them up” to these perverse affections. Therefore, we will let Jesus Christ, who is without sin, speak for Himself.

Genesis 1: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”.

Genesis 2: “And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she will be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore will a man leave his father and his mother, and will cleave unto his wife: and they will be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

Mark 10: “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause will a man leave father and mother, and will cleave to his wife: and they two will be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”

Romans 1: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them”.

I Corinthians 14: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant”. And, again Paul wrote in Galatians 1 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ”.

Revelation 21 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 16 “The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.”

As a born again believer, this post left me confused and dishearten in those that hold sway over people based on religion. When I read “biased liberal media” in Randy’s or James’ column, I knew what was coming. I have a question to all religious leaders in America; when does the belief that Jesus’ plan for the world cannot be thwarted, guide our prayers and actions? If the bible says every government or system is put in place by Him (Romans 13), should we as Christians get behind those plans, trusting that God knows what is best? Do we accept that God planned for an Obama presidency or a Bush or every a Nixon? Do we accept that the heart of the king is in the Lord’s hand? Do we honor the king or government? My choice as an Independent and as a slave to Christ is to vote according to the word of God. I show my allegiance to God by giving allegiance to the president by giving him my vote. If God shows a different direction after November 6, then should He tarry and I am still here in 2016 I will vote for the incumbent president because I trust God and not man, religious or otherwise. It is impossible for me to believe God is in control in every area of my life and than think His control does not extend to the government. To demonize the Democratic party and all Democrats is to say God must not know what He is doing if He allowed that evil man to be president. We are surrounded with religious hypocrisy and leaders who seem to want to bias the vote based on individual belief. As for me, I will vote with God’s choice trusting He knows what He is doing. This post from James has lessen my desire to place my support behind this ministry or any ministry that uses their personal belief to influence voters. Preach the Word, all of it and not just a narrow part that agrees with your morality. As a New Testament believer and an Old Testament student, my responsibility is to love because by this all men shall know that I am His disciple. This election is important for Christians because it will reveal just what we truly believe.