Statement of Faith

Statement of My Faith and Politics

I have been asked by my left friends and a few of my right leaning friends to clarify my positions.

Here is my short manifesto on my thoughts.

Yes I Voted in the 2016 Presidential Election! We have a two party system for a reason. Every four years we vote to change the direction of the country.

This gives us an opportunity for a voice into political affairs. Opinions are spun from peoples own history, ethnicity, peers, how they were educated, and their faith or lack there of and more.

1. I am a Conservative on Faith.

I am a man of the Christian Faith. My faith has a had profound effect on my reasoning spiritual and politicly.

There are others that may disagree with my positions profoundly. I don't hate them personally. The opposite of hate is indeed is a tenant of my faith. Although not observed my life nor in others of faith at times. 

I believe in the Truth of Scripture to the best of my Finite mind. God is Infinite and my mind is not. There are areas of the Holy Bible I can not totally get my arms around. However I believe God is just and I trust His Character.

I trust His substitutionary death and resurrection for me and love to tell the story when invited to share my experience.

2. I am a Conservative Financially 

I believe that neither people of governments can exist by spending more than they can afford. I don't see 21 Trillion  dollars as reasonable.

It would seem at times that governments think that money grows on trees. Yes indeed their are much needed programs we need in Education, care for our poor and under privileged, racial tentions, infrastructure and more.

Wise spending is also painful spending. Need for programs are real but we must acknowledge resources are stressed.

Mike Huckabee wrote in one of his books that "compassion is not compassion if you can't afford it", Everyone has a reason and benefit for their program. Solutions are going to be painful and disagreements well be many. 

3. I Am a Conservative on Social Issues

Issues that plague our nation must require true bi-partisan solutions. I can say, with certainty, that neither side is doing all they can.  For sure the word "Conservative" today does not mean maintaining the Status Quo. Nor does Progressive "necessarily mean moving ahead with workable initiatives."

I believe our welfare programs should work to promote self sufficiency. I am for reform that promotes pride in people for work well done. That means providing opportunities for education that furthers job skills, teaches beneficial parenting and productive family life. With proper education then employment opportunities must be a national priority. Each individual should access how do I and others fit into solving the problem?

4. I am a Conflicterd on Immigration. 

I believe we should have a plan for others of different faiths and history to enter our country. I believe in the purpose of our constitution. It makes sense to me that those those come to our nation illegally should have some liability. There are way to enter our nation legally. If we need to change our laws so be it. However illegal is sill illegal. 

          In order to enforce the law we have to enforce it. Make sense? . The problem has grown and solutions leave much to               be desired. How we deal  with Children born in this country, new spouses and many more.

Does illegal entry make all the people than enter illegally bad? Of course not. But they are indeed illegal and should face some consequences. Can we send them all illegals home? At this point this seems totally unreasonable to me. So amnesty seems unreasonable to me as well. Any solution is complicated and requires a bilateral mindset. 

The problem, as it has become, could have been averted if the law had been enforced.  This includes not only those who entered our country illegally, but those who employed them. Now we have a problem that requires a complicated solution.

We see trouble and malice often in light of how we have been taught to think and our own personal experience. No matter our political persuasion, this kind of thinking is often deceiving! While this is understandable it is essential not to characterize everyone and every policy as bad before we actually know (not Think) its reason or purpose is evil. I am disgusted by both sides trying to make complicated issues simple when they are not.

5. I am Conflicted on Race Issues

While I do believe that legislation does have a place in racial issues, I believe government has done a poor job of managing issues. This is the purpose of the entire government left and right. The left would like to do what is in their best interest to keep their traditional voting block. The right has done a horrible job of being heartily involved in the lives of many minorities to the detriment of both. It is easy to see that some of us true conservatives are not well represented often in our own party! 

6. I am a Conservative on Theological Issues

I am not a humanist! I don't believe that man has infinite answers to all the questions and solutions of life. I believe we have finite minds and that many answers will be found only as we meet the Father. I find solace in the fact that the Jesus gave himself for me. For me that is amazing and underserved Grace! I don't have to wonder were I going after this. Christ died for my sin. While I have been a life long student of comparative religion this seems pretty unique to me. God is the great judge and not me.  That takes a lot of pressure off me. 

I am convinced that while politics my offer some help to the problems of this world, the heart of man will be changed little. I am convinced that knowing God personally through faith in Jesus Christ is key to eternal life.

The Horrible School Shooting in Florida

Few if any of us and not saddened by the death of 17 students and the resulting the pain of other students, families, and friends. Emotions run high as they should.

There are many things that need to be addressed with dispatch and resolve.

As best as I am able, I like to share some insights. I don't expect agreement from all of you.  I do hope that there are issues worthy of consideration.

Mass Violence in Schools and Society!

Yes, we must all need to rationally deal with the issue if mass violence! There are no reasonable excuses to not consider all possible cures for violence. As easy as it is to place blame, it cannot be placed on any one institution or person. Answers are complex and never simple. Every law restricts rights!! Every law cuts two ways. Every piece of legislation steps on someone’s toes.

The causes of mass violence are many. Maybe you can add more issues.

Ignorance, Despondence, Feeling of Hopelessness, Mental Disorders, Friendlessness. Lack of reasonable homelife, Lack of affirmation and worth, Feeling of superiority, Disenchanted. Being bullied or feeling Disenfranchised.

One teacher hands out questionnaires questioning who kids would pall around with and similar questions. She keeps the answers confidential. She reviews the answers to see who is never or seldom mentioned. You can see how many might fit the some of the conditions above.

If school counselors and teachers could seek more insight into potential problems then many issues could be addressed. Obviously, that might avoid mass shootings as well.

Reinforcing existing laws and creating new ones around gun legistaion and safety are open for discussion.

Education of the public imperative. Dispelling fact from emotions is critical.

Methods of Mass Violence

Certainly, Guns in the hand's of deranged people are incredibly destructive. If guns are not available, people intent on destruction can use explosives, fire, stabbing, airplanes, cars, chemicals to kill people in mass. Of course, many of these involve far more preparation. You can an add to the list! Look at 9-11

Indeed Kids Should be Protected!

In addition, we need to deal with the underlying issue of those inclined to violence. That is “the” core issue. If the is no desire to kill guns are a non-issue. If perpetrators are bent on killing better ways of identifying them and dealing with the issue beforehand is critical. We are woefully short of sensing the potential for this. Many of the kids prone to these issues may have been sharing some of the bitterness for years. Help may well have changed them for good. We owe it to them too.

Facts

Most people think the AR 15 is different from other regular weapons!

Wrong! The AR15 is just another rifle. All guns are for killing. An AR15  is no more powerful nor shoots any faster than any high-powered rifle intended to kill animals such as deer, bison or other wild game animals. All weapons are in reality semi-automatic. They shoot one round each time the trigger is pulled. No one wants to reload each time a round is fired. Thus the need for clips or revolvers such that carry additional ammunition.

Guns are not a new thing. They have been around for hundreds of years. They also save lives not only by law enforcement but by law-abiding citizens.

Somehow in the midst of frustration and hurt, we cloud issues. Somehow we falsely think taking guns away solves the problem. Taking guns away from law-abiding citizens will not likely deter many who are set on violence. Guns are in America by the many millions. Gun traders from all over the earth can and will sell guns to criminals.

Should we have tighter laws? Yes, Of course. Will that help? Only in degree and probably less than we can imagine. Any help is positive! That said, We live in a very divided world. In our own country, “each” political party has proponents that accuse the other of hate and more.

Despite all our efforts, kids are bullied and torn apart that do not fit the mold nor popular. Morals have declined to the lowest levels. Honesty has become irrelevant to power and economic gain. Getting higher grades on in school has caused many children to embrace cheating. The acts of achievement have often taken the place of morality. Having a desire for others power often corrupts our own desires.

The gun lobby protects the welfare of the constituency and rightfully so. However, they too may have to make allowances to deal what best for our nation.

In any event, there is much to do beyond guns! Let’s look at all issues not simply put the blame on one. There a plenty of issues that cause this kind of behavior. We need to have proper gun laws but they are only one of many major issues we need to address.

Feelings

Pain is real! Placing blame is the first reaction. Time for healing is necessary! Simple answers seldom work. 

I'm not here to support gun laws but to get beyond emotions and to look deeply at the entire issue!

The Term Racist in America

The definition by Wikipedia is "Racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice towards people based on their race or ethnicity."

Unfortunately, this term is often used in Political Circles to demean one's adversaries. This leaves us to actually see the injustice only on the other side with no accountability to one's own heart.

It seems to me that the very definition has expanded to include what was once considered racism. The assumption that all or most of another race is absurd and is racist its own right! 

In reality, racism as we have come to use it, exists in every heart in some fashion. Nationality, Education, Community, Family and elsewhere. We are all taught to think and to value our own way of thinking.

Strong Examination is Important before we label whole groups of people "racist".

I have been accused of "not taking a stand" so allow me to take that stand! 

Racism knows no human boundaries!

In America, we have a two-party system, thank God! Allegiance to a party is not the same as supporting the ways of their leader. No leader is above reproach. One can voice his opinion regarding the leader without negating one's commitment to a cause. There is a difference and it is patently unfair to not make this distinction.

Again we need to make a regular look into our own heart and honestly take an inward look at our own heart whether we be Right or Left-oriented. This goes both ways folks! As one my friends has said, "you have not walked in my shoes". Our background can affect our thinking but it is not necessarily right

The use the term "racist" to demean our political opponents diminishes the fact that we are all Americans!  

Demeaning each other gives little hope to reducing the divide we suffer in our nation!

I strongly suggest the problems in America are far more Spiritual than Political. If we get our hearts right the political issues become small. I'm not to saying some political issues are unnecessary but they won't solve issues of the heart.