How should Christians engage in politics?

Here are five guiding principles for choosing faithful Christian engagement when it comes to politics: Remember your most primary citizenship. Choose to be influenced by theology over ideology. Prioritize Christian witness over political power. Choose influence over susceptibility. Trust in God instead of giving into panic.

Can democracy coexist with religion?

The more modern and open religions, that do not demand strict conformity to the positions of their leaders, can coexist with democracy, causing no problems for the religion or interference with the democratic process.

Is the Democratic Party against Orthodox Christianity?

The Democratic National Committee has taken its stand, and it’s against orthodox Christianity. It passed a resolution on August 17, 2019 calling for the Party to be more inclusive toward non-believers.

Do Democrats want Christians on the defense?

The party’s hostility toward Christian beliefs and values was clear enough before. Putting it on paper this way, however, raises the message to another level. The Democrats want to see Christians on the defense.

What is Augustine’s main idea?

One of the main ideas in Augustine’s massive work is self-love, and how we as humans are afflicted with this, how the citizens of the city of man are afflicted with this, and how that affects our social order. The libido dominandi, that desire to dominate, is characteristic of man’s city in Augustine’s work.

What is the IRD?

But as a background, IRD, which I head, is a Christian think tank here in town founded in 1981—and founded to respond to the challenges of the late Cold War period to democracy. The fact that many in the American church, in fact, had despaired or given up on democracy, in favor of authoritarian, or even totalitarian alternatives. Our Founders made the case that democracy, for all its failures, was the best system of government known, so far, to protect and affirm human dignity and human rights.

How long will Paul and Jonathan speak?

Paul and Jonathan will speak for about 15 minutes each, and then Jennifer will respond to them, and they may wind up all responding to each other after that. But there should be plenty of time for a response from you all, and we’ll plan it to end by 8 pm, after which, presumably, some of the food and drink will still be available. So, thank you so much for joining us, and, Paul, if you like to start.

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Is Christian liberalism a failed ideology?

This is a good time to be asking this, because, as Mark mentioned, there are important thinkers like Patrick Deneen saying the answer’s “no,” saying Christian liberalism has exhausted itself, has proven itself to be a failed or failing ideology, and has resulted in our human misery.

Is Deneen right about liberalism?

I think Deneen is also correct there are parts of liberalism, particularly economic liberalism (capitalism) that can be quite corrosive towards culture, tradition, and civil society. This is a key part of the argument, too: that liberalism is not healthy for our civil society—for our voluntary associations outside the market and in civics.

Where do Jefferson’s just powers come from?

A couple lines later, however, governments derive their just powers, Jefferson continues, from the consent of the governed. So, just powers come from our consent, which is to say, anything not from my consent is, in fact, unjust.

Should religion be kept out of politics?

The saying goes, “Religions should keep out of politics;” but this is politics failing to return the favor. Democrats are poking deep into religion here. Religion should feel free to answer.

Do Democrats want to see Christians on the defense?

They have special skill with scare words. Even the simple word “particular” makes us look small, small-minded, and off in an intellectual corner somewhere. Of course none of that is true.

Is the Democratic National Committee against Christianity?

The Democratic National Committee has taken its stand, and it’s against orthodox Christianity. It passed a resolution on August 17, 2019 calling for the Party to be more inclusive toward non-believers. On its own that’s not remarkable. But the document also strongly denounces Christian belief and action.

Is the party hostility toward Christian values clear?

The party’s hostility toward Christian beliefs and values was clear enough before. Putting it on paper this way, however, raises the message to another level.

Why don’t activist religions and democracy mix?

Faith is fine, but beliefs or practices should not be imposed by one group upon another through the ballot box or any other means. Subjugation of women and violence against minority religions are not compatible with democracy as it is practiced in many so-called “democratic” nations.

What are the problems with the Third World?

In Third World “democracies,” conservative religions make it even more difficult for true democracy to function. Women do not have the same rights as men in many of these nations. Homosexuals are persecuted. Religious leaders are even more intolerant of other religions and may encourage violence against practitioners of different faiths.

What are the two essential skills for democracy?

Two essential skills for democracy are critical thinking and compromise. Both are anathema to fundamentalism.

What will interfere with democracy?

Any dogmatic belief system, whether religious or political, will interfere with Democracy. Anytime someone believes there is only ONE way to do things, Democracy will take a back seat to the fight to impose that particular belief system.

What happens when a dogmatic religion is replaced by a less dogmatic form?

When a more dogmatic religion is replaced by a less dogmatic form (we can debate about the Reformation and different forms of Muslim/Islamic religion), people may benefit , or if the reverse as ISIL is proving, make them very miserable or dead. (I’m sure there are plenty of other examples.)

Why did Matt’s father refuse to bless the marriage?

Matt’s father refused to bless the marriage because Lisa was going to Hell as a non-believer and their children would also.

What is empirical data that contradicts these beliefs?

Empirical data that contradicts these beliefs are rejected out of hand by followers of conservative religions, who are not open to different interpretations or beliefs. And the doctrines of their faith are usually interpreted literally, which can lead to conflict with the devotees of other religions.