[shuttertalk]

This article is an interesting read indeed, about the National Council of Churches USA, releasing "10 principles for evaluating candidates that it hopes all Christians from liberals to conservatives b will study and apply in this election year."

To summarise:

1. War is contrary to the will of God. While the use of violent force
may, at times, be a necessity of last resort, Christ pronounces his blessing
on the peacemakers. We look for political leaders who will make peace with
justice a top priority and who will actively seek nonviolent solutions to
conflict.
2. God calls us to live in communities shaped by peace and cooperation.
We reject policies that abandon large segments of our inner city and rural
populations to hopelessness. We look for political leaders who will re-build
our communities and bring an end to the cycles of violence and killing.
3. God created us for each other, and thus our security depends on the
well-being of our global neighbors. We look for political leaders for whom a
foreign policy based on cooperation and global justice is an urgent concern.
4. God calls us to be advocates for those who are most vulnerable in our
society. We look for political leaders who yearn for economic justice and who
will seek to reduce the growing disparity between rich and poor.
5. Each human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite
worth. We look for political leaders who actively promote racial justice and
equal opportunity for everyone.
6. The earth belongs to God and is intrinsically good. We look for
political leaders who recognize the earth's goodness, champion environmental
justice, and uphold our responsibility to be stewards of God's creation.
7. Christians have a biblical mandate to welcome strangers. We look for
political leaders who will pursue fair immigration policies and speak out
against xenophobia.
8. Those who follow Christ are called to heal the sick. We look for
political leaders who will support adequate, affordable and accessible health
care for all.
9. Because of the transforming power of God's grace, all humans are
called to be in right relationship with each other. We look for political
leaders who seek a restorative, not retributive, approach to the criminal
justice system and the individuals within it.
10. Providing enriched learning environments for all of God's children is
a moral imperative. We look for political leaders who will advocate for equal
educational opportunity and abundant funding for children's services

No 1 will definitely be strongly argued against in light of the US involvement with Iraq and Afghanistan...

I've always been undecided about no 7. with regards to illegal immigrants. On one had, we should love one another and lend a hand to someone in need; yet on the other hand, why should we allow people to "jump the queue", ahead of others who follow the proper processes?

[lemangoholic]

Good article... it is definitely very pertinent for the year of election in US and Aust...
Is it year of election in UK as well? I think it is... but not sure...

I'm against the involvement of US, UK and Aust troops in Iraq, especially when it is based on the fabrication of information by our preposterous "leaders". Weapon of mass destruction... where are they?

As for illegal immigrants, I think lending a hand to someone in need has to start with improving their lives in their own country. Can't see the point of allowing people to not follow the proper processes. Perhaps I'm just too harsh.

I also think that good economic and trading policy is essential for the well being of any country... it's good to have all of the above points but we also sound management of a country's wealth (not just focussing on equality of wealth).

Let's face it, I'm not much of a fan of Johny Howard... but huge fan of Peter Costello. I'm also a fan of Paul Keating who is a brace leader who pioneered Aust macro economic reform... which to this day we are still reaping the benefit.

Time to stop before I goes on and on and bored everyone to tears...

[lemangoholic]

BTW... you also need to be able to vote (and actually vote) to make a difference

[de_axeman]

Personally I'd be happy if poiliticians just acted with integrity, but that would be a bit of an oxymoron wouldn't it?

[Rufus]

Oh Blimey!

Only just seen this ......

War is contrary to the will of God. While the use of violent force
may, at times, be a necessity of last resort, Christ pronounces his blessing
on the peacemakers. We look for political leaders who will make peace with
justice a top priority and who will actively seek nonviolent solutions to
conflict.

Yes, but war is inevitable in the end. Israel will be the focal point......
The Iraq war was totally unjustified though. Look up the "Butler report" to see what a lying, devious snake our British PM is.....

2. God calls us to live in communities shaped by peace and cooperation.
We reject policies that abandon large segments of our inner city and rural
populations to hopelessness. We look for political leaders who will re-build
our communities and bring an end to the cycles of violence and killing.

Fine, but let's not forget that CHRIST unites us FIRST!!

3. God created us for each other, and thus our security depends on the
well-being of our global neighbors. We look for political leaders for whom a
foreign policy based on cooperation and global justice is an urgent concern.

Fine, but let's not allow a "one-world religion" to develop!

5. Each human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite
worth. We look for political leaders who actively promote racial justice and
equal opportunity for everyone.

Fine, but racial justice is irrelevant really. Faith in Jesus the Christ is the key. It's no good being good and supportive to those who seek to destroy you, unless you do so as an act of evangelistic faith!!

6. The earth belongs to God and is intrinsically good. We look for
political leaders who recognize the earth's goodness, champion environmental
justice, and uphold our responsibility to be stewards of God's creation.

Hmmm, the Earth is doomed to destruction whatever we do.................

7. Christians have a biblical mandate to welcome strangers. We look for
political leaders who will pursue fair immigration policies and speak out
against xenophobia.

DANGER!!! Let's welcome all then! Homosexuals, suicide bombers, radical priests....

Now I'd better shut up.

Oh, BTW, no. It is our election year in 2005.

[adam]

I agree with Rufus; even though I havent read in detail

[shuttertalk]

Well put Rufus. Sometimes you need to read the fine print...

[de_axeman]

And sometimes you shouldn't believe everything you read...

[de_axeman]

Just realised in the last ohnosecond (the second in which you click 'submit' and then go 'oh no! shouldn't have clicked it!) that my last post seemed a little mean-spirited.

I wasn't saying that you shouldn't believe everything you read in Rufus' post. I just meant that a lot of the info we receive from the media on politics should be taken with a grain of salt.

Roo's cool by me!

[lemangoholic]

Definitely agree with axeman...
God gives us a brain... I think we need to use it to discern and thoroughly consider the loads of information being bombarded at us just to win a few votes

[Rufus]

Absolutely!!!

Discernment, prayer, scripture. Not necessarily in that order.

[test]

How about a big stick? That helps sometimes... it helped moses

[Rufus]

Yes. It's a lack of "the big stick", that has been partially responsible for societies demise.

[Mr_Gadget]

Rufus well said my friend and great to see you back!

I think sometimes we forget that we are IN the world but not OF it...

[shuttertalk]

eeek, that was me again... forgot I was logged in as test.

[Rufus]

Rufus well said my friend and great to see you back!

I think sometimes we forget that we are IN the world but not OF it...

[peter]

How about a big stick? That helps sometimes... it helped moses

will a big stick make me wiser ? ..
where can i get one from ?

[Cailean]

How about a big stick? That helps sometimes... it helped moses

As long as we remember that Moses never used his stick in anger. It was through a 'cane' and not a 'club' that God's will was done.