Religion enters the political mix as GOP candidates maneuver in South Carolina
"Nothin' could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning ..."
Those are the words from an old song running through my head right now from my childhood days, and they might prove sort of "prophetic" for one of the GOP presidential candidates. The question is: Which candidate?
It appears probably not Mitt Romney, since his campaign people have pulled off something of a surprise. They are actually pulling most of their advertising in South Carolina and Florida. Uh, sure. I suppose that makes some sort of sense for the man who wants to be Everybody's Ronald Reagan for the 2000s -- no? No, I guess not.
There seems to be some maneuvering going on between McCain and Huckabee for the SC primary, and my money's on Happy Huckabee for that faceoff. The reason? Why, sure -- it's the spiritual/religious thing. And that's probably a good thing.
As I understand it, the whole point of creating and timing the SC GOP primary the way it is was to give conservative, religious folks a strong voice there. I've never been to either of the Carolinas. But one of my favorite people, a former pastor of mine, in fact, came here from several years of ministry in South Carolina. (He wasn't Baptist, like Happy is, but he was a conservative, evangelical pastor.)
Over the years, I've become (as I've mentioned in this blog numerous times) probably more "mainline" or even "liberal" in my religious views than I was as a young lad. But I have strong feelings of good will to my more conservative brothers and sisters out there. I am skeptical about many organized religions -- but I will NEVER be skeptical about good people of faith everywhere. So I say, let SC be SC -- and I'm going to "predict" Happy Huckabee, my good Baptist brother in the Lord, will win this one.
Ah, well, what do I know? I'm just a guy who reads the papers.
[tags]South Carolina primaries, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, conservatives, religious conservatives, people of faith, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Live in Atlanta? Interested in church? Check this website
Perhaps the "downer" events in the news today turned me toward thoughts of faith, religion, and church. So I'll share a bit of "religious news" with you.
I just found out about an interesting, exciting sort of church you might want to look into if you live near or visit Atlanta, Georgia. We have some neighbors and long-time acquaintances who moved to Atlanta a year ago, but I don't know whether they're involved with this church or not.
The church I'm talking about is the Free Chapel Worship Center, one of the churches in Atlanta area that seems to be growing and filled with enthusiasm to serve God and serve people. I don't know much about the church, though their website gives a lot of information about where they are and what they're doing to minister to families, kids, and all levels of adult needs.
If you're in or near Atlanta, and church is something you're seeking, the Free Chapel Worship Center's website is worth a look.
[tags]religion, churches, useful websites, writing tips at garyspeer.com[/tags]
My present to you: A ‘war on Christmas’ letter from God himself
An evangelical/fundamentalist Christian friend of mine actually sent this to me as a forwarded email. I've shortened it and done some light editing. I think it is a marvelous response, from "serious" Christians themselves, regarding that so-called "war on Christmas." It's a bit long, but enjoy:
Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival; although, I do appreciate being remembered anytime.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square, because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me any time you see any tree.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is My wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
4. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
5. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Sinceyou don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile. It could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting a local suicide hot-line: They talk with people like that every day.
6. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army, or some other charity to make the delivery for you.
7. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.
[tags]Christmas, war on Christmas, letter from God, Christmas words from God, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Candidate Thompson answers religion questions in predictable fashion
I found this account of Fred Thompson’s answer to questions about religion in government interesting. Interesting, but very predictable.
The encounter took place following Thompson’s appearance at a South Carolina gun show. He wasn’t thinking about religion and politics, but he certainly proved that he was able to stick to the required rhetoric — no one gets elected president in America if he denounces this country’s sort of watered down “civil religion” version of “Judeo-Christianity.”
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say this: American voters would NEVER elect a candidate who openly said something like: “I believe our Constitution calls for a strict separation of church and state and I, personally, am an [agnostic, atheist, Deist, Muslim, Buddhist, any other openly non-Christian, non-Jewish, non-theistic religion].”
I, personally, am a “mainline Christian,” with strong evangelical leanings, for what it’s worth. I believe that the phrase “separation of church and state,” though found no where in the Constitution, expresses the essence of what our Constitution requires.
But more importantly, the average American voter, I strongly suspect in very unscientific fashion, THINKS he is a Christian of one sort or another. And many of them consider themselves openly “fundamentalist” or “evangelical” — meaning that they espouse a completely literal understanding of the Bible and want to believe our presidents do, too.
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
[tags]religion, politics, separation of church and state, Constitution, Fred Thompson, just a guy who reads the papers[/tags]
Preaching or propaganda in North Korean plan?
OK, so what's going to happen here -- legitimate Christian evangelism or Communist propaganda?
Rick Warren, pastor of one of the mega-churches here in the U.S., announced recently that he will be making a state-approved visit to preach at a stadium in North Korea. At least one Christian blogger insists the trip is nothing but a propaganda gift to the North Korea's tyrants.
I consider myself a Christian. Jesus is my Savior. I also have lived a few years, been around the block a few times -- and even worked for a number of years as a print journalist. So I think I can sound off a bit on this one:
Of course what Rick Warren is doing can be and probably will be used by the North Koreans for major propaganda. That's what politicians of every stripe and nation do -- use everything to make themselves look however they need to look.
But let's not forget, Rick Warren's also going to be telling these people about God. Let's give God a little credit here: He can use the opportunity to touch people's lives, even if they intend to use it for propaganda. I even dusted off the old Bible and looked up a Bible passage I think applies: "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice" (Philippians 1:15, 18).
Aw, but what do I know about it? I'm just a guy who reads the papers.
[tags]religious news, Christianity, North Koreans, propaganda, converts[/tags]
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