Posted on 10/04/2018 4:48:22 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Being conservative is a dangerous business these days. Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md.) is the latest Republican to find that out, Capitol Police say. A clash over marijuana policy outside Dr. Harris's office turned violent when a group of protestors stormed into Harris's office and assaulted him. Huffington Post reporter Jennifer Bendery was there and tweeted that Congressman Harris was "trying to hold his office door closed but was not successful." The demonstrators, she insisted, "were smoking weed."
Across town, officials were busy investigating at least two packages of ricin that had been sent to Defense Secretary James Mattis and Admiral John Richardson. Even a pin-head amount of the poison, authorities say, can be deadly. Apparently, someone else had the same idea at the White House, where the U.S. Secret Service said Donald Trump received a "suspicious envelope" of its own. Republican Ted Cruz's (R-Texas) Houston office rounded out the scares, when a "white powdery substance" put the area on lockdown until authorities confirmed that it wasn't dangerous.
And elected officials aren't the only targets of this violent wave. Yesterday, University of Texas conservatives had pro-Kavanaugh signs ripped out of their hands at a rally and torn into pieces, while liberal students screamed profanity. Then, of course, there are the online threats, like transgender activist Emily Gorcenski, who asked on Twitter if everyone was going to "be down for a violent general strike" if Kavanaugh is confirmed. Followed by Smash Racism founder Mike Isaacson, who called on people to "to kill your local politicians before they kill you."
It's a world that seemed inconceivable just a few short years ago. Even under President Obama, one of the most divisive leaders in U.S. history, conservatives weren't bursting into congressional offices to hurt the Democrats they disagreed with. That's probably because we understand that democracy isn't supposed to work that way. You don't target and harass people to get what you want. Sure, you get involved and speak up -- but not as aggressively or as violently as we've seen from the other side.
By and large, I think that's because conservatives operate out of a general respect for everyone. We may not agree with people, but we don't reduce them to the sum total of their beliefs either. As Christians, we know that everyone has inherent value because they're created in the image of God. And whether or not liberals believe in that God doesn't make their worth any less real.
Obviously, emotions are running high right now -- but we can never lose sight of what's most important: that God so loved the world that He sent his only Son. I'm not saying we shouldn't be motivated politically. By all means, be passionate; be engaged. But remember that behind every issue are people who need a Savior. Never in my lifetime has that been more obvious than now.
Tony Perkins' Washington Update is written with the aid of FRC senior writers.
The author is placing the wrong identity on this. As Christians, we are to expect to be mistreated, abused, and potentially killed for our faith. The Master never once told us how to handle civil/political conflict. He did not tell Roman soldiers to throw down their weapons nor did he tell the Jews that they were forbidden from entering military service. This would be against His character as He also raised up men such as Joshua, David, Ehud, Samson, and others that did violence for the sake of Israel.
These are two different worlds. When people attack us for our faith, we are encouraged to be as gentle as lambs. For the sake of our country, I believe He has given us examples of Lions.
The current state of the country is pretty amazing. And very sad.
The media seems to think it's all Trump's Fault. I guess we're not supposed to recognize that the Leftists who killed 100 million people in the 20th century are promoting ceaseless violence within the USA now. Laws are out the window. The political process is out the window. The judicial process is out the window. And the media cheers.
The only thing a violent commie/nazi rioter understands is a overwhelming use of force. Failure to do so provides them with the impetus to attract others and raise their level of escalation.
IMO, when someone attacks the foundation of a democratic society with Nazi or Trotsky like activities, they need be squashed or there is no “government†protecting the society. Government’s first responsibility is to protect the constitution, the framework of our nation, from all threats, foreign and domestic. It does not put shackles upon the extent of that protection. Of that there is a prime example, the war between the states, resulting in much carnage and devastation. There were others, not as violent such as the Whiskey and Shay’s.
Things will calm down real quick if these idiots get pushed back.
I have a friend who is a full time evangelist. He does quite a bit of street preaching. Not yelling through a megaphone telling people they are all Hellbound, but actual evangelism.
His attitude is similar to yours. Attack him for his faith, he’s going to take it.
Attack him for political reason, robbery or attack his family or team, you better hope to survive.
I know, I know: "...for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God...", but....
As much as we desire to avoid violence it is sometimes thrust upon us. I read years ago of a Christian Defense of men going to France in WWI. It was pretty clear that here are occasions when Christians MUST be violent. As horrific as the carnage of WWI was. This concept of not defending ourselves from physical attack is absurd. This concept of allowing our country to be over run by Stalinists without defending our country is flat out retarded.
Jesus DID tell at least some of his disciples, shortly before He was betrayed, that if they did not have swords, to sell their cloaks and buy swords with the proceeds.
Right up there with Mary Landreaux unplugging her phones, or Mad Maxie running to a "members only" elevator.
Fixed it.
“but I just don’t subscribe to the John Piper “Christians should be docile” mind-set.”
I agree. There are probably times when God calls us to be martyrs for our faith. But there are also many times He calls us to fight for what we believe. If I find someone raping a woman, I’m not going to pray for the rapist’s soul while admonishing him strongly to repent. I’m going to pull out my gun and SHOOT the rapist!
Turn the other cheek applies to wrongs done against you as an individual. But societal wrongs require a societal response - and our society accepts both political action AND physical response to evil.
It is also like the old joke about the Marine in a college class with an atheist professor. The professor says, “If there is a God, knock me down!” So the Marine gets up, walks over and decks the professor.
“What are you doing?”, shouts the professor. “What God told me to go do!”, replies the Marine.
Pray, lock, and load.
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