Amen to John’s post.
Jonathan, since politics is what really upsets you I’m willing to ban
politics from TT altogether—how about it? Izzy
From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004
11:49 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk]
Interesting Article
Jonathan, you have read much to much emotion into my posting on this
issue. You need to go back into the archives with the question
"what are the scriptures Smithson used to convict Clinton and sanction the Republican
right?" Seriously. You are not going to find any
such thing from my posts. I do not use scripture to bulster my political
views. I do believe that Bill Clinton has value in the sight
of the Lord and to the same degree as any child of God. I do not believe
that such value-added statements mean that he was a good President or a moral
man. I do not believe that my political view (and contrary to
popular belief, I am conservative but not right wing) finds me more in God's
pleasure than those who think differently or are identified by
"liberal" or even "Canadian."
As President, there have been much worse, in terms of what was
actually accomplished. Nixon remains the most immoral of all Presidents
in my lifetime in my opinion and Ford the most unaccomplished. Both
Republicans I might add. I voted Democrat until Carter's second
run for office. He was and is a pacifist. He had no
business being President. A wonderful man (to this day) but without
a clue. I voted for him the first and very much believed in
him.
Specifically and in regard to Clinton,
I will say again that salvation issues and politics are very different
considerations. I am allowed to be a conservative. And
I am allowed to be wrong. And I am allowed to have judgments and opinions
about my political leaders. I personally do not like to mix
politics and religion and in the future, I will stand down when it comes
up.
If you were one of my boys, I would tell you take a pill and let it
go. I would also apologize for couching my opinions so forcefully
as to allow you to feel put upon and I do -- apologize.
Your contribution to this forum is considerable and, at times,
refreshing. Your emotions are much closer to the surface than many
and in the future, I will take that into consideration as I write.
But you must allow for disagreement in a forum such as this. And you
must allow this disagreement to be the product of deep conviction.
To refuse this conflict is to disallow honest exchange. And we need to be
honest with each other emotions and all. I cannot
believe that you disagree with this. I am asking you to be more
forgiving in your thinking (and by that I mean to convey a picture of bending
without breaking). Assume the best on the part of those who
disagree. I for one, will address my posts to your concerns
with a little more sensitivity.
Let's get back to the message of Christ, putting our hands to plow, forgetting
to look to past. You complimented me in my defense of
JudyT. What you do not know is that I found her writing quite
abrasive and unforgiving. But, in time, I came to see the student
in Judy Taylor and the conviction for her Lord. That conviction
trumped all other negative concerns and forced me to allow for her style
of writing in the grace of God. I see that same conviction in DavidM, Linda
Shields, Lance, Terry, Perry, Slade, DAveH and all. You need to
allow for style and opinion to be subservient to the sense of shared
brotherhood in this forum and claimed by those who write and share their
thoughts. I am asking you to do what I have done. I did not
like JudyT at all in the beginning. But I now consider her to
be part of the family -- and I have learned from this experience
with JudyT to not question the sincerity and brotherly community of those who
claim the name of Christ. Lance, BillT and your comments have
helped me to reconsider much of what I believe. That does not mean
"change what I believe" but to reconsider and, in some area, change
in deed. Anyway -- stay in the group.
Learn and grow. God works all things for good --- allow that
to happen in this case. And I will consider my communications to
insure a less abrasive stand.
a friend and a brother
John Smithson
In a message dated 7/7/2004 8:10:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
John, a man who commits adultery
(even 60 times which of course in Clinton’s
case is hogwash) can still be a Christian. It is no worse a sin than your
own hypocrisy. You have confused moral behaviour with salvation.
Note that I am not claiming that Clinton
was/is a Christian, just that your reasoning is flawed. I expect a lot
from you John. You could be the leader on this forum. Many of your
posts express the heart of God. If only this same heart would beat in
love with your political views. The compassion you had for Judy is
completely missing when you speak politically. The same thing happens
with Izzy and Terry. Where does your love go? Why isn’t Christ
allowed there? Why eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?
It isn’t filling, and it won’t satisfy your hunger for long.
