or should a Christian be neutral in this world and merely be awaiting the Kingdom of God ???
2007-06-04 02:27:50 · 15 answers · asked by burlingtony 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What should a Christian do?
Obey the civil authorities: Romans 13: 1-5
Pay Taxes: Luke 20:25 , Romans 13:6-7
Avoid worldly things, including politics:
Revelations 18:4, 1Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13-16,
James 4:4, Colossians 2:8 and many others.
Christans are given no commnad to change the world, they are commanded to change themselves. So, no, Chistians should not seek to change laws and governments to try to force every one to live by "christian" principles.
That does not mean that Chistians should not speak out and not advocate and teach righteousness.
2007-06-04 02:47:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Everybody should work towards a society that upholds good principles. And Christians in government, I'm sure, will base what they think to be a good principle, at least partly, on their religious belief. However, they should also recognize that they are representing many people, not just Christians. So, they should be able to defend any principles they wish to promote on more common ground than "God said so".
If a principle is a good principle, then there should be concrete reasons why that principle is good which Christians and non-Christians can agree on. Good principles tend to be more universal than just one religious sect. Therefore, a common ground of reason and logic and evidence should be brought to bear on determining whether the government should promote a principle. There should not be an automatic bias towards a principle just because it's Christian, or away from it. It should be discussed and agreed on after rational discourse by a fair representation of society before being promoted by the government. This way, government represents all people, no matter what their religious belief.
2007-06-04 02:31:03 · answer #2 · answered by nondescript 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of course they should, it just depends on how, and what your perception of 'Christian principles' is.
William Wilberforce spearheaded the campaign against slavery in the late 1700's. It was an unpopular campaign, and at the time the wisdom of the masses saw nothing wrong with slavery. But he turned the tide of public opinion, got a Bill through British Parliament, and abolished what we know today as being a barbaric and inhumane practice.
His motivation? That God created everyone equal. He chose not to become a priest, but to serve God where God had put him: in the British Parliament, to enact change exactly where he was, and with what resources he had.
And that's what God asks of us, to be the power of change where we're at, with what we have.
Maybe the principles you're thinking of might be different to something like treating everyone equally, and maybe that's because Christian social action has been at work for years, changing the world to be a better place. It's just that what used to be a 'Christian principle' is now regarded as undisputed fact: that everyone is created equal and deserves to be treated equally.
If we just sit on our hands and wait, we haven't recognised that God doesn't just love :you: - he loves me, and he loves :all: of us, and with that comes a responsibility to pull our weight and (pardon the cliche) 'be the change we want to see in others'. :)
2007-06-04 02:54:01 · answer #3 · answered by Catchy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If everyone lived by Christian principles (God's 10 Commandments) the world would be a better place. God's laws are common sense - no murder, no stealing, no lying, no cheating, etc. I think it's the first 3 laws that people have the biggest problem with. We Christians are waiting for Heaven but while we are still on earth, why should we have to tolerate secular crap?!
2007-06-04 02:35:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that Christians should do their best to follow the example set by Christ. It's difficult, because you don't want to be the moral police either. Especially here in the United States when some of our laws (i.e. pro-choice laws) don't necessarily reflect the views of a lot of Christians.
Bottom line, laws don't change people's hearts. I think instead of working on changing laws, it is more important to work on changing lives by truly being a Christ-follower. Loving God, loving your neighbors, being generous, avoiding gossip and other things that can hurt people, and being forgiving when people screw up. Because we ALL do. Christian or not.
2007-06-04 02:40:20 · answer #5 · answered by loves2sing 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No laws should not enforce Christian principles. They may, as a coincidence, be similar in intent, but as a whole laws should be enacted for the good of society not the enforcement of a individual religion's morals.
For example, I believe that abortion should be legal, however I believe that it is not a choice that should be made lightly and it carries a moral consequence to it.
Another example: Gay marriage, or any other form of marriage, doesn't hurt society therefore it should not be illegal. Religions should not seek to legislate their morals on others that don't share them.
Third example: Porn should not be illegal, on the other hand, since child porn exploits/harms the children, it definitely should be illegal not on a moral basis but because of the harm to the victims.
2007-06-04 02:41:31 · answer #6 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there is not any way we could have peace or order in this land except we've Christian concepts going. This land grow to be in line with those concepts. Why might desire to the form be destroyed. Many are going against the godly rules and that they could eat our childrens by using doing the choice of God's will. Do you have any thought what has been occurring in the colleges??? they have been forcing atheistic techniques on the youngsters in many approaches and forcing them to settle for gay philosophies. they have rewritten the text fabric books with a gaggle of advise lies. is this what you think of is robust for the subsequent technology?
2016-11-04 22:00:14 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Religion is church and law is state. The wisdom of our founding fathers decreed that never the two shall cross. If you want to live in a theocracy, try Iran or Saudi.
2007-06-04 03:00:08 · answer #8 · answered by Charlie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes like in Muslim country Muslim dint allow Christian to live according to his own faith rather they persecute them. In this same way Christan should work for ch age law so that all Muslim also live in Christian countries like Christian. Them Muslim will understand what is religious freedom.
2007-06-04 02:35:36 · answer #9 · answered by Advocate 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I see Christianity as a way to make people better. So if you're changing the government to help people learn to hold strong ideals then what's wrong with that?
-MrC
2007-06-04 02:33:35 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. Caucasian 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋