TGHusker
New member
I agree. I find everyone here sharpens me and challenges me. Some people can frame an arguement better and I appreciate the intelligence behind the way they frame it. I know I'm not the sharpest stick in the bunch, so it is always good to hear other perspectives. I think we rarely move off of our deeply held core beliefs but it gives me understanding, tolerance and acceptance of the other person's perspective. I would say I have modify some of my views over the years based on discussions hear and on 'huskerpedia' (defunct- where I 1st got on political/religious forums.) Example: I have moved from being more of a 'neocon' (ra ra GWB invasion of Iraq) in perspective to what I would call more of a constitutional conservative/libertarian in my positions - except where those libertarian views disagree wt my strongly held religious beliefs such as on abortion. - right to life for the baby.
My faith perspective tells me that homosexuality practice is wrong - but it also tells me hetersexual adultry is wrong. However, though the acts be wrong, my faith tells me that they (those who practice the acts) are no diff than I - because I've done wrong as well - "He who is without sin, throw the 1st stone". So, again love and grace towards individuals is what is really important - for I am in need of the same love and grace. This is the personal side.
There is also the political side. Morality can be defined as what 50% + 1 in a society defines it to be. Ethics can be defined (as a simple definition) as what "ought to be" - based on natural law - the law written in every man's heart (Romans chapter 1). We ought to act in a certain way - Jesus summed it up in 2 commands - Love God with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength (deals with our pride, independance, & willfulness) and Love our neighbor as ourself (deals with our selfishness at the expense of others). This is the highest ideal - however, none of us fully live up to it. So, when I look at the political side of the issue: it is the battle to be in the 50% + 1 that defines societal morality. I recognize that we are now in a 'post-Christian' America. While the culture has been greatly influenced for the good by Christian principles, from a governing perspective the society has become much more diverse. In the 1980s the Moral Majority had great power because the swing to a more secular society had not fully occured. So, what is my response as a Christian? It is to still try to persuade from a Biblical perspective but yet embrace the fact that the Kingdom of God is not a political one. That the royal law is not to create a Christian America but to love, to care, and to show compassion as Christ would. While we don't give up the right or desire to persuade in the public arena, our infuence in this more secular society may more effectively be felt as we practice the 2 royal laws of love that Christ taught. Christians have lived in much more secular societies than the USA.
