Conservative Musings

More Important Than Faith?

I found this particular discussion rather amusing:

You wouldn’t think religion would matter much in this presidential election. There would seem to be so many more pressing issues: oppressive gasoline and food prices; a president widely regarded as a failure; a foreign policy that has us adrift in the world and mired in an unpopular war. Why would faith be an issue?

Religion not mattering much?  More pressing issues like gasoline and food prices?  Not when you compare temporary things with where one will spend eternity.

The columnists' answer is that it's in our genes.  They have that right in a way, but for a different reason.  We were all designed by our creator to seek Him.  Seeking Him we surely do.  So it's no surprise to me that religion tops those other temporal things that many would think were more important.

-Colonel Steve

America's Confused Religious Believers

America, when it comes to religion, seems to be a rather confused bunch.  Consider some of these statements.

Twenty-one percent of self-identified atheists said they believed in God. Ten percent believe in hell.  (Sounds more like a believer to me.)

At least half of Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and Jehovah's Witnesses accepted the assertion that religion causes more problems than it solves.  (Then why be part of the problem?)

The survey finds that 70 percent of those nationally who have a religious affiliation believe that many religions can lead to eternal life.  (Then why believe your particular system?)

That last one never has made much logical sense to me.  Many confuse a religion's stand of "my way is the way" with a requirement to make everyone that particular religion.  That kind of stuff happens in Muslim countries, but not here in a country found on Christian principles.  Principles of free will.

Any religious doctrine that muddles the water by saying that every system is ok really isn't much of a doctrine at all.  Why believe it if anything is ok?  I respect a doctrine that takes 2 stands:

1. Ours leads to eternal life alone, and
2. We will respect yours.  We disagree, but we will respect and dialog with you.

-Colonel Steve

If We Have To Allow Religious Groups.....

then we're not going to allow anyone.  So says the Clermont County Public Library of Ohio.  This ruling by their library board came after a financial seminar was requesting use of their public meeting rooms.  Since this particular financial seminar uses biblical quotes, the board initially said no.  When pressed by a lawsuit, they shut down use of the rooms by anyone.

Such a sad decision for the taxpayers of Clermont County Ohio.  The library board is certainly NOT looking out for those paying the library's bills.

-Colonel Steve

Dropping Numbers

Southern Baptists are reporting their baptism numbers dropping.  This after many mainstream denominations have been loosing members for years.

The suggestion is that the cause is one or both of two issues.  One is that churches are not as successful as they once were at outreach.  The other is that society's population slowdown is reaching Southern Baptist's "biological growth".

Either way, the major U.S. evangelical denomination has its work cut out for it.  Figuring out how to reach today's generation is a must.  Sticking with the old ways doesn't seem to be cutting it.

-Colonel Steve

Voting After Death

Life after death has been debated for centuries.  Common wisdom tells us nothing is certain except death and taxes.  Now it looks like the right to vote after death is being put to practice.

-Colonel Steve

Quote of the Day

"This is a dangerous time in America, the freest country in the world, where you have to whisper your thoughts." - Father Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Roman Catholic Church in Chicago, in reference to being silenced by his Cardinal, Francis George.

Get used to it Father.  Join the club of conservatives, who have been likewise silenced on their pulpits.  Look at the guide put out by the Americans United for Church and State.  You think the statements made in this guide has EVER been enforced towards liberal candidates?  Can you say "no way"? Consider this statement from the website mentioned above:

Church endorsements of candidates and statements of opposition to candidates are strictly forbidden and can result in revocation of a church's tax-exempt status.

You think your comments about Hillary Clinton just might be "statements of opposition to candidates"?  Yet I don't see these guys knocking on your door, or Trinity United Church of Christ's door.  If anything close to this was done in support of a conservative candidate, I don't think we'd have to wait long for these folks to get noisy.

-Colonel Steve

Dear Obama, Visit My Church

Dear Barack Obama,

Since the news has come out that you have formally resigned from your church home, maybe you should consider visiting mine.  Sure, my church may be miles from home for you, but I'm sure you can stop here a few times between campaign stops.  Oh, and those very capable Air Force One pilots do know their way here.

Sincerely,
-Colonel Steve

Obama Quits Trinity Church

Barack Obama makes the decision to leave Trinity United Church of Christ.  Greg Reynolds notes well in his comment; "A LITTLE LATE".  Doesn't make a difference for a lot of us.

-Colonel Steve

Islam Filling the Void

Anglican bishop Michael Nazir-Ali is suggesting that the collapse of Christianity in Britain is wrecking British society.  Islam is jumping in and filling the void left by this collapse.

Amen.

This goes right along with similar logic presented by Mark Stein in America Alone.

-Colonel Steve

Astrological Mumbo Jumbo

As the Anchoress points out, a group of astrologers have made their predictions for now through Inauguration day. They are basically saying that, if this were a weather forecast, storms are brewing on the horizon.

My thoughts?  I don't put any credence in it.  I can't, and be true to the Bible I believe.  Sure, these folks can get a few things right, but we seem to forget just how much they get wrong.  Considering just how much we're supposed to be checking on what God says, why are we even checking what these folks are saying?  King David's predecessor Saul got in boatloads of trouble seeking out a medium.  Why?  Saul took his eyes away from God and trusted someone else.

Maybe we should take that advice.

I laugh when I think of all the Y2K hoopla going on in late 1999.  Close friends of mine wouldn't hold their normal New Year's Eve party because the so called "experts" were sure everything was going to break loose.  Forget their computer friends (like me) and their advice.  It was bound to be mayhem.

Like then, I think we're going to see some prophetic things NOT come to pass concerning this election.   Soon afterwards, we'll forget who made the prophetic mistakes, only to listen to the same groups again (and again, and again......).  History repeats itself.

-Colonel Steve