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Title: An Open Letter to Christians
Source:
opednews.com
URL Source: http://www.opednews.com/articles/op ... 50812_an_open_letter_to_ch.htm
Published: Aug 15, 2005
Author: Anthony Wade
Post Date: 2005-08-15 17:46:20 by wakeup
Keywords: Christians, Letter, Open
Views: 335
Comments: 26
An Open Letter to Christians by Anthony Wade http://www.opednews.com August 12, 2005 My spirit grieves over this war, this administration and the division that has torn this country apart. I pray daily for the will of God to be done, knowing that he uses all things and people, good and evil, for his purposes. I have tried to express the truth in my writing, but I am constantly faced with people who do not wish to hear the truth. People who claim righteousness through Christ, through who all righteousness comes, yet who espouse most un-Christian opinions. Those are the people to whom I am speaking. How much is enough for you? How many children have to come home in a box before you stop glorifying death and war? How much blood has to be shed for you to think you are “secure”? As the bible says to the rich fool, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.” We will not know the day nor the time. Security is an illusion. The only security we have is in our salvation. Man- made security, is no security at all. So how may kids have to die? How many mothers of these children have to end up in a ditch outside of the President’s ranch in Crawford Texas? Where is the Christianity in the man who ran on Christian values? You have been hoodwinked by a man who came in the name of Christ, but did not walk the walk. For it is one thing to say you believe, but another to show it. In the book of James it says, “Faith without deeds is dead.” I have been criticized by Christians, for daring to speak against this president. I have been accused of being seduced by the forces of the left, who they believe seek to undermine the Christianity of President Bush. I say that President Bush’s Christianity is undermined by his own policies, which are most un-Christian. Christ was not for the redistribution of wealth to the rich and he spoke vehemently against serving two masters. He spoke about the Christian principle of protecting “widows and orphans”, who we would relate to the poor today. Where is the Christian protection for the poor from this administration? Medicaid cuts are starting and welfare cuts are already enacted. The impoverishing of this nation has accelerated under the “make the rich, richer” strategies of this president. He hides behind farmers to push his estate tax repeal, which would only benefit mega-millionaires. How can anyone who is Christian, support these policies? Beyond economics, what has this president done to the planet God has entrusted us with? As a Christian, do you think it is a good practice allow more pollution, contaminate more water, withdraw from global warming agreements and insulate companies from responsibility when they hurt people? While you were trumpeting the nominations to the court he has made, I was actually looking at their records. They are not strict pro-lifers, they are strict pro-business judges. One of them, had a record of 177-0 siding with corporations against human beings. Is that a Christian value? Beyond the environment, exactly what Christian value does he stand for? Because he says it? What has he done? Does he approach his work with humility? Ask yourself that question honestly. When you look at President Bush and he talks about the death he has unleashed upon this world, does he even seem the least bit humble, remorseful, at all? Was it humble when he joked about not being able to find the WMD he claimed Iraq had? Does he espouse the teaching of Christ from the Sermon on the Mount? Is he poor in spirit? Is he meek or merciful? Is he mournful? Can you honestly say that President Bush is a peacemaker? What Christian value does he represent then? His economic policies are decidedly anti- Christian. His environmental policies are decidedly anti-Christian. What does that leave? Domestic social issues of course. The “wedge” issues he wielded so well against you in the last election. In the middle of the worst economic times we have seen in decades, in the middle of a failed war, and revelations that the war we were in was unjust, he managed to convince you that the really important thing was that gays do not marry and that he believed in a “culture of life.” Take a closer look at this though and you will see beyond the smoke and mirrors. George Bush supports that exact same view of gay marriage as most democrats do. He supports civil unions but is against marriage. He has done nothing to push this issue, except when he needed the impression he was strongly against gay marriage. In the year 2000, he ran by saying he would pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, then when in office he conveniently forgot about it, until six months before the 2004 election. The he proposed it, knowing full well it would not pass anyway so he could give you the impression he was strong on the issue. Now that he is re-elected, you will never hear about it again. Do you even realize when you are being used? What has he said about abortion? President Bush is on record as saying he will not seek to overturn Roe vs. Wade. In the run up to the election, he used the phrase “culture of life” to summarize how he feels. This is an empty phrase coming from a man who has supported death his entire political career. As Texas Governor, he presided over the execution of over 150 people, including the mentally retarded. How would Jesus Christ view that I wonder? One of the prisoners executed, then Governor Bush MOCKED when she asked for her life to be spared. Is that a Christian value? As governor he signed a law allowing corporations to decide when to stop giving life sustaining services to people who could no longer pay the hospital for those services. Translation? If you cannot pay to continue to have a person kept alive on life support, then this law allows the hospital, which is a corporation, to decide to kill you over the objections of the family. In fact when President Bush was being so dramatic about Terri Schiavo, his Texas law allowed a poor black child of six months of age, to be executed in Texas. Sun Hudson, never got the media attention that Terri Schiavo did proving that a poor black child’s life must mean less than a middle class white woman’s life to this president. Unfair you say? Don’t complain to me, ask your “values president” why Sun Hudson had to die. Ask him if he believes that the God we serve is still a miracle working God. I see every week in the prayer and healing service at my church, God still heals the sick. Sun Hudson was very ill, but I know my God could have healed him but the “culture of life” president decided that the hospital, which makes decisions based on finances, could kill him. Where is the Christianity in that? How is Christ served? You cannot say that you are pro-life and be cross-enrolled in the National Rifle Association, be pro-war and pro-death penalty. There is a word for that, it is called hypocrisy. When faced with this argument, inevitably, Christians will come back with the eye for an eye writings from the bible. Those are Old Testament; we are under the new covenant. God’s hand is not short. It can reach down to the murderer on death’s row and change his life. It can reach down to the most egregious offender, and save him. Maybe every now and again, it would be a better idea to remember where God had to reach down to save you. Pro-life has to mean, ALL life. We do not get to pick and choose which lives matter to God, they all matter. The argument that abortion is a blight upon humanity is only righteous if it is supported by respecting the lives of everyone on this planet, regardless of their current nationality, religion, or ethnicity. In the 1950-1960’s, they demonized communists for us. Made us believe they were the evil in the world, they were the unrighteous. Now, they are doing the same with Middle Easterners. They are very good at telling us who to hate, who to fear. What Christians forget is that the bible says, 10As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." 13"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." 14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15"Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16ruin and misery mark their ways, 17and the way of peace they do not know." 18"There is no fear of God before their eyes." We have indeed lost our fear of God, if we are to support a war that was based on lies, and continues with seeming un-endless bloodshed. I have had Pastors argue to me that this war is just. I do not recall Christ teaching me about the justness of war. I do however, recall being charged with the Great Commission. I do recall how we are supposed to be a light unto the world filled with darkness. I do recall how we are supposed to preach the good news to all about the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I do recall that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. Do you? My critics are fond of saying that the bible says we are to support our leaders, but it actually says we are to pray for them, and I do. We are not to blindly follow anyone but Christ. I ask them to honestly answer if during the Clinton years, they blindly followed their leader? I sincerely doubt it. No, the bible clearly states we are not to call evil, good. This war is not just. Do not be so quick to deal in death. Death always wins out in the end for the unsaved. People have tried their best to change the subject and tell me that this is personal about George Bush. I have been accused of hating George Bush. Neither is true. My God does not teach me to hate. The truth is this has to do with children being sent off to die in a desert for no good reason. It has to do with the millions of dollars being made off of their blood. It has to do with a mother who had her son murdered, sitting in a ditch in the Texas heat waiting for a man who sold you on his Christian values to take one hour out of his vacation to talk with her. It is about Jesus Christ and what he taught us, and what he continues to stand for in a world that has fallen. When the trumpet sounds and we go home, are you prepared to answer what you did with the talent that was entrusted to you? When asked about the souls you saved for the Kingdom of God, are you prepared to answer that you were fighting against gay marriage? Are you prepared to say that you did not witness about the love of Christ, but you worked hard to stop people from having abortions? Are you prepared to talk about the walk of other people, when you are being asked about your own walk? This administration now has drawn up plans for tactical nuclear strikes against Iran. Will that be enough for you? After that, Syria is up next. Will that be enough for you? How many people, we were supposed to save through the glory of Jesus Christ, have to die a horrible death, before you say, “maybe this is not what Christ would have wanted?” We should not be praying for a political party, person, or persuasion, only that God’s will be done. The arrogance I have seen from Christian organizations, to organize intercessory prayer for assumptions they have made as to what God wants, is staggering. I do not know if God wants John Roberts on the Supreme Court, and neither do you. Stop praying for your will to be done, and start praying for God’s will to be done. I am a born again, fiscal and social conservative who serves only one master, Christ Jesus. The fact that George Bush says he is Christian, is no longer persuading me. I stand upon the truth and believe the Word of God from second Timothy which says, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. That day is coming, Christ is coming back. When asked by his disciples about the signs of the end of the age, Christ responded: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Any of this sound familiar? Be ye not deceived. Place not your faith in man, but in God. Forget about what political party you belong to. Forget about who they tell you is to blame for your lot in life. Forget who they say it is ok to hate. Reflect on the love of Christ which saved you and ask yourself if what you support, is truly Christian in nature. Words are empty without the truth. The works of man, will always fade but the promise of God is eternal. Ecclesiastes 12: 12-14 – 2 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. May the glory of God fill your life with understanding.
Poster Comment: The gospel of the kingdom, when Jesus was with us, was clear... we all share the same Father in heaven who lives with us and inside us, therefore we are all brothers and sisters and should act like a family. His followers forgot Jesus' religious habits and beliefs and came up with this death, burial and resurrection "gospel" that focuses on Jesus instead. Add that misdirection with the self-fulfilling end times argument and you get awkward Christian soldiers sending their little ones off to die for Bush. Sick. What a wonderful time to remind these brothers and sisters that Jesus' gospel is still the brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God. Please, pray with me: Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Amen.
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#1. To: wakeup (#0)
Please, pray with me: Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Amen. I can totally relate to the author. Being accused of being a 'leftist' yada yada .. I do believe that some do not know what they do but there are those who know perfectly well what they are doing. They are wolves in sheeps clothing. They profess to be Christian but they are antiChrists with no knowledge of Him and they are of their father and that father is not the heavenly one.
very excellent article. I'm sick of the 'christians' who support Bush. At so many churches the leader has stood to tell his people that they should support Bush. Now they have a new trick. They say the people who attend church are not allowed to talk about political issues and news. They are now openly telling their people that nobody is welcome at their church if they talk about the news. In other words first the christian leaders supported Bush due to their own ignorance. and now they're saying that people who want to enlighten are not allowed to do so. I can't respect these christians.
Yes they are our enemies... still, they are our brothers and sisters and don't realize the big picture themselves, as they do their evil. "Love your enemies"
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." I say go to a different church every week and when you hear such from the pulpit, stand up, make a scene, make the necessary comment to the sheep and walk out. Many, too weak to stand, will recognize the truth and a seed will be planted. Besides, if you do noting, you inadvertently show approval. Remember, with knowledge comes responsibility. And we know stuff.
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." "Some day a reformation in the Christian church may strike deep enough to get back to the unadulterated religious teachings of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. You may preach a religion about Jesus, but, perforce, you must live the religion of Jesus. In the enthusiasm of Pentecost, Peter unintentionally inaugurated a new religion, the religion of the risen and glorified Christ. The Apostle Paul later on transformed this new gospel into Christianity, a religion embodying his own theologic views and portraying his own personal experience with the Jesus of the Damascus road. The gospel of the kingdom is founded on the personal religious experience of the Jesus of Galilee; Christianity is founded almost exclusively on the personal religious experience of the Apostle Paul. Almost the whole of the New Testament is devoted, not to the portrayal of the significant and inspiring religious life of Jesus, but to a discussion of Paul's religious experience and to a portrayal of his personal religious convictions. The only notable exceptions to this statement, aside from certain parts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, are the Book of Hebrews and the Epistle of James. Even Peter, in his writing, only once reverted to the personal religious life of his Master. The New Testament is a superb Christian document, but it is only meagerly Jesusonian." from the Urantia Book
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." Here's the one I used to hear over and over..."Bush is against partial-birth abortion." I must have heard that 100 times. They just blankly stare when I tell them the truth. It's still legal,Bush agreed to a new procedure which is killing in the womb before being aborted.
I'm so glad you re-stated that. Because that info is so rare. I wasn't sure what happened. But what you said is what happened. When Bush made 'partial- birth abortion' illegal it was sleight of hand by the Republicans. They really legalized the procedure, but the doctors must make one small change and call it something different.
The one that messes me up is, "our leaders were put there by God, he knows best." Or, "it's all predicted in the Bible" as if we are to stand back and watch.
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." The ones I speak of are neither my brother nor sister. They are chaff.
nope. sorry. can't do it. i think there's righteous hatred.
If Bush were running against Jesus: I have been criticized by Christians, for daring to speak against this president. I have been accused of being seduced by the forces of the left, who they believe seek to undermine the Christianity of President Bush. I say that President Bush’s Christianity is undermined by his own policies, which are most un-Christian. Christ was not for the redistribution of wealth to the rich and he spoke vehemently against serving two masters. He spoke about the Christian principle of protecting “widows and orphans”, who we would relate to the poor today. Where is the Christian protection for the poor from this administration? Medicaid cuts are starting and welfare cuts are already enacted. The impoverishing of this nation has accelerated under the “make the rich, richer” strategies of this president. He hides behind farmers to push his estate tax repeal, which would only benefit mega-millionaires. How can anyone who is Christian, support these policies?
#2. To: wakeup (#0)
#3. To: Zipporah (#1)
"I do believe that some do not know what they do but there are those who know perfectly well what they are doing. They are wolves in sheeps clothing."
#4. To: Red Jones (#2)
"At so many churches the leader has stood to tell his people that they should support Bush."
#5. To: All (#0)
#6. To: wakeup (#0)
#7. To: Grumble Jones (#6)
Here's the one I used to hear over and over..."Bush is against partial-birth abortion." I must have heard that 100 times. They just blankly stare when I tell them the truth. It's still legal,Bush agreed to a new procedure which is killing in the womb before being aborted.
#8. To: Grumble Jones (#6)
#9. To: wakeup (#3)
#10. To: wakeup (#3)
"Love your enemies"
#11. To: Zipporah (#1)
 | Gold and silver are real money, paper is but a promise. |
#12. To: Elliott Jackalope (#11)
I beleive there is a section in the bible that states that paying a man an honest wage for a honest day's work pleases God. Jesus - An outdated Protectionist isolationistt living in the past. I mean, what's more important. The son of God or easy access to piles of cheap toasters? P.S. However, I did get in an e-mail exchange with a "christian" who point blank said that he would rather let a mugger slit his throat and the throats of his family than rather fight back; and I'd go to hell if I dared to defend my family or self from certin death.
"The more I see of life, the less I fear death" - Me.
#13. To: Pissed Off Janitor (#12)
that family needs to find a new head.
However, I did get in an e-mail exchange with a "christian" who point blank said that he would rather let a mugger slit his throat and the throats of his family than rather fight back
#14. To: Pissed Off Janitor (#12)
You should ask this Christian if he thinks that George Washington is in Hell because of his fighting back against the King.
| Gold and silver are real money, paper is but a promise. |
#15. To: wakeup (#0)
The Bush White House Christmas-Less Christmas
The mind once expanded by a new idea never returns to its' original size
#16. To: Elliott Jackalope (#11)
hope you folks aren't throwing Jesus out with the Bush water
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
#17. To: christine (#10)
Which cult is it that supports that perspective?
"nope. sorry. can't do it. i think there's righteous hatred."
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
#18. To: christine (#10)
"The triumph of the death on the cross is all summed up in the spirit of Jesus' attitude toward those who assailed him. He made the cross an eternal symbol of the triumph of love over hate and the victory of truth over evil when he prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." That devotion of love was contagious throughout a vast universe; the disciples caught it from their Master. The very first teacher of his gospel who was called upon to lay down his life in this service, said, as they stoned him to death, "Lay not this sin to their charge."
"nope. sorry. can't do it. i think there's righteous hatred."
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
#19. To: wakeup (#8)
Or, "it's all predicted in the Bible" as if we are to stand back and watch. That is the idiot litmus test, and that is all there is to it. Those people maybe can make a good bale of hay or apple pie, and on those subjects, they are my master.
The one that messes me up is, "our leaders were put there by God, he knows best."
#20. To: wakeup (#18)
all that's true. But it also says we all fall short of the standards set by god.
#21. To: Red Jones (#20)
"I say to you: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you. And whatsoever you believe that I would do to men, do you also to them. "Your Father in heaven makes the sun to shine on the evil as well as upon the good; likewise he sends rain on the just and the unjust. You are the sons of God; even more, you are now the ambassadors of my Father's kingdom. Be merciful, even as God is merciful, and in the eternal future of the kingdom you shall be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect. "You are commissioned to save men, not to judge them. At the end of your earth life you will all expect mercy; therefore do I require of you during your mortal life that you show mercy to all of your brethren in the flesh. Make not the mistake of trying to pluck a mote out of your brother's eye when there is a beam in your own eye. Having first cast the beam out of your own eye, you can the better see to cast the mote out of your brother's eye. "Discern the truth clearly; live the righteous life fearlessly; and so shall you be my apostles and my Father's ambassadors. You have heard it said: `If the blind lead the blind, they both shall fall into the pit.' If you would guide others into the kingdom, you must yourselves walk in the clear light of living truth. In all the business of the kingdom I exhort you to show just judgment and keen wisdom. Present not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample your gems under foot and turn to rend you. "I warn you against false prophets who will come to you in sheep's clothing, while on the inside they are as ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree brings forth good fruit, but the corrupt tree bears evil fruit. A good tree cannot yield evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is presently hewn down and cast into the fire. In gaining an entrance into the kingdom of heaven, it is the motive that counts. My Father looks into the hearts of men and judges by their inner longings and their sincere intentions. "In the great day of the kingdom judgment, many will say to me, `Did we not prophesy in your name and by your name do many wonderful works?' But I will be compelled to say to them, `I never knew you; depart from me you who are false teachers.' But every one who hears this charge and sincerely executes his commission to represent me before men even as I have represented my Father to you, shall find an abundant entrance into my service and into the kingdom of the heavenly Father."
"all that's true. But it also says we all fall short of the standards set by god."
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
#22. To: wakeup (#16)
Nope. If anything, mankind's perpetual stupidity does wonders for my faith in a higher power. Hence my tag line.
hope you folks aren't throwing Jesus out with the Bush water
"The more I see of life, the less I fear death" - Me.
#23. To: Zipporah (#1)
"Hate is the shadow of fear; revenge the mask of cowardice." Neither could his hearers forget his blessed words, declaring, "Man is the son of God, not a child of the devil." He is the greatest of warriors who overcomes and subdues himself. Restraint in all things is good. He alone is a superior person who esteems virtue and is observant of his duty. Let not anger and hate master you. Speak harshly of no one. Contentment is the greatest wealth. What is given wisely is well saved. Do not to others those things you would not wish done to you. Pay good for evil; overcome evil with the good. God is truth. And it is the desire of God that his creatures should understand him--come fully to know the truth. Truth is eternal; it sustains the universe. Our supreme desire shall be union with the Supreme. The Great Controller is the generator of all things--all evolves from him. And this is the sum of duty: Let no man do to another what would be repugnant to himself; cherish no malice, smite not him who smites you, conquer anger with mercy, and vanquish hate by benevolence. And all this we should do because God is a kind friend and a gracious father who remits all our earthly offenses. Jesus portrayed the profound surety of the God-knowing mortal when he said: "To a God-knowing kingdom believer, what does it matter if all things earthly crash?" Temporal securities are vulnerable, but spiritual sureties are impregnable. When the flood tides of human adversity, selfishness, cruelty, hate, malice, and jealousy beat about the mortal soul, you may rest in the assurance that there is one inner bastion, the citadel of the spirit, which is absolutely unassailable; at least this is true of every human being who has dedicated the keeping of his soul to the indwelling spirit of the eternal God.
"They profess to be Christian but they are antiChrists with no knowledge of Him and they are of their father and that father is not the heavenly one."
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
#24. To: wakeup (#23)
Uh not sure where you are headed with this.. ?
#25. To: Zipporah (#24)
We are fighting evil in the name of good. Hate is on the evil side of that battle. Keep your heart pure as you do the will of the Father.
Adolf Hitler... "What luck for rulers that men do not think." John F. Kennedy... "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
#26. To: wakeup (#25)
I see. I didnt say I hated anyone of course. Just that there are wolves in sheeps clothing claiming to be Christians but in fact are not.
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