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| Andrew Strom |
I write this as a conservative evangelical Christian. I am
anti-abortion and hold all the usual 'conservative' views. But I have come to
believe that the Tea Party is one of the most misguided and misleading movements
in America - especially since it claims to be so "Christian".
I saw a piece written by pro-Tea Party activist recently who
quoted statistics saying that the majority of Tea Party members are evangelical
Christians. He coined the term, "Teavangelicals". He says they are
going to have a new Awakening and "Take Back America". I don't know
what kind of "Awakening" he is talking about, but it is very
different from the true spiritual Awakenings of the past. America certainly
needs a Revival. But not the kind that these guys are pushing. I believe it is
a counterfeit of the real thing. And if we fall for the counterfeit, then the
true can be utterly lost.
So what exactly is the problem with the
"Teavangelicals"? Below is a very basic list of things that, in my
view, make this movement truly un-Christlike and unchristian:
(1) An Unhealthy
Mixing of Christianity with Nationalism—When you "wrap the cross in
the flag" so-to-speak, you instantly distort the entire message and essence
of Christianity. You are taking two totally different "kingdoms" and
mixing them together. Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world."
So in mixing Christianity with Nationalism, you are totally distorting what His
kingdom truly stands for. Thus you get "Patriotic" actions such as
saluting the flag or the Pledge of Allegiance being seen as "Christian"
things to do. Marching off to war becomes a "Christian" activity. The
two "kingdoms" are being completely confused. There is a great deal
of this happening in the church in America right now - and the Tea Party is
really pushing it. -Utterly distorting what real Christianity is all about.
(2) Being Basically
the Biggest Supporters of WAR in America—(This is closely related to # 1).
One US commentator seriously stated that without the support of the American
Christians the war would be over much quicker - because they are the staunchest
and strongest supporters of War in the whole country. Now, can you imagine
Jesus being like this? Can you imagine Him telling his disciples, "I want
you to support military invasions and the shooting, killing and destroying of thousands
of people"? -Because that is what WAR is. Does it sound
"Christian" to you? Can we find anywhere in the New Testament where
true Christians had this attitude? NO! They wouldn't have dreamed of being the
biggest supporters of War in their generation! Just think what a terrible testimony
this is today - to all the unbelievers who are watching. How un-Christlike. No
wonder they call us "War-mongers".
(3) Siding with the
Rich and Against the Poor—This is the exact opposite of Jesus - as we see
again and again in the gospels and the entire New Testament. Pay close
attention to the following words of Christ- "Woe to you that are rich, for
you have received your comfort" (Lk 6:24), "How hard it is for a rich
man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 19:23) and "You cannot serve
God and Money." (Mt 6:24). Jesus also said: "Blessed be you poor, for
yours is the kingdom of heaven" (Lk 6:20) and "I have come to
preach good news to the poor" (Lk 4:18).
Can you imagine Jesus coming across like today's "Tea
Party" Christians - where they seem utterly against the cause of the poor,
and totally for the Rich and the 'Big Money' interests? Perhaps we
have forgotten that Big Business exists largely for MAMMON and GREED. Can anybody tell me anything "Christian" about that?
have forgotten that Big Business exists largely for MAMMON and GREED. Can anybody tell me anything "Christian" about that?
(4) HEALTH CARE—Denying
it to the Needy—(Related to # 3). I am not talking about "ObamaCare"
here. I have no comment on ObamaCare one way or the other. What I am talking
about is a general attitude amongst Christians. I cannot tell you the number of
emails that I've gotten from believers who want to deny poor uninsured
Americans any decent Health Care. (I guess because they are lower-class and
can't afford it).
Do you know that millions and millions of Americans are
being denied basic Health coverage that is totally taken for granted in other
countries? And that it is the CHRISTIANS who want to deny it to them? And do
you know that there are multitudes of Americans who wind up bankrupt or losing their
home simply because they can't pay their medical bills? Does that sound like a
"Christian" ideal to you? Does it sound like something that believers
should be fighting for? -Fighting on the side of Big Business against the "little
people" who can't afford to pay? What kind of "Christianity" is
that?
(5) Pushing the Idea
that "Political" Answers can Solve America's Problems—To me, this
is the worst deception of all - the idea that America's problems can mainly be
solved with "Political" activism,
or a change of government, or a new President. The USA's problems are almost
entirely SPIRITUAL. It is because she has lost her way SPIRITUALLY that is
causing all the other problems. And to get the Christians all caught up in a "Political"
movement is a total distraction. A PRAYER movement - Yes! A
"Political" movement - NO! It will not solve the problems in any real
way at all. In fact, it is like a "counterfeit" Awakening - to push
the Christians into Political activism instead of focusing on the SPIRITUAL. It
is like a false savior - a "pseudo" solution. The problems in America
are Spiritual - and they need Spiritual answers. Not this
"counterfeit" that gets everybody caught up in Political fights.
In summary, I want to say that I believe that many of the
attitudes and behaviors of the "Tea Party" evangelicals in America
are totally un-Christlike and unchristian. They come across as ugly, mean-spirited
and anger-filled. It is awful to see real believers caught up in anything so
unlike Jesus.
I would like to challenge every Christian reading this to
forward it to your conservative friends. Tell them to come and meet me over at
our discussion board, if they think they can prove me wrong. I am open. If they
think they can prove from the New Testament that Christians should be thinking
and behaving the way these "Tea Party" people behave, then let them
come. I will be waiting.
THE CHALLENGE is LAID DOWN.
Here is the link to our Discussion Board to post your comments-
PLEASE FORWARD this TO YOUR FRIENDS.
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
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