The Truth Is More Important Than The Facts

wow, that's a pretty volatile question but I think it's deserving of the comments/argument that it will generate. I just tried to write out my thoughts on it but found I was writing far too much. I need to figure out how to condense my thoughts or find the nuggets and jot them down. Of course, by the time I figure that out this post may be down!

well i guess for you i'll leave it up.

I don't honestly care if a Christian is in a political party and I'm not altogether concerned if it is the NDPs or otherwise. When I was a kid I liked the NDPs because of their stance on the environment and social welfare. I like the idea of money going to people who need it. I can give money to the government for that reason. I'm even cool with increased taxes if it means more social services. Government systems aren't perfectly administrated and streamlined but they also aren't generally pocketing the money and trying to turn a profit.

Being a member of a party doesn't mean that you agree with everything the party stands for. It simply means that you like some of the things the party is trying to do. More so than other parties. It doesn't mean that you agree with it in the same way that you agree with you religious beliefs. There is a difference.

Besides, the best way to effect change is to become a part of something and have a voice. Actually the best way to effect change is by influencing leaders but for most people that means becoming a part of something and gaining influence.

Matt, I think your answer is too simplistic but it does remind of something that CS Lewis once talked about in the Screwtape Letters. That is that one way that we can be tempted to forget our orthodoxy and orthopraxy is by calling ourselves a "Christian-something". Eventually we equate the cause with Christianity and Christianity melts away in the background until it is no longer relivant if it does not relate to the "something". It may be splitting hairs at times but we need to recognize the temptation for what it is.

i completely think you can be a part of/support a party without fully agreeing with every detail of their platform. in my opinion you should just choose the party that seems closest to what you believe and go with that one, it may not be ideal, but what is?

AND could there ever be a party based on the whole teaching of the bible? who would ever agree on the interpretation of the bible? that is why there are denominations in churches -- So if churches can't base themselves on the whole teaching of the Bible, how then could a political party?

perhaps i my language overshot my meaning. my point was that there is an attitude in our society (both christian and general society) that if you are a Christian you should belong to a specific political party. this doesn't make sense since no ONE party truly represents a Christian viewpoint on all the issues. now, as ames points out, that viewpoint would not even be agreed upon by all Christians. here are a couple other points thought.

- there is no guarantee that getting into party based politics will give you any more voice or influence than your average street and media based political activist. in the end your effectiveness comes down to your ability to create a movement. also in a political party you will always be pressured to pull the party line. sometimes this is just peer pressure. but sometimes, as in the liberals gay marriage vote, you are told how to vote and would be punished if you voted in opposition to your own party.

- another thing i would point out is that a person who wishes to be an MP does have another choice, running as an independant. this is a very difficult thing to do and some would say pointless because without political party backing you would have little effect. but, i think (were he alive) Chuck Cadman would disagree.

- Mark, my answer isn't to simplistic. the only question i actually answered was the last one. and both you and ames agreed with my answer in a more long winded way.

The wind is at my back. . . or from it?