Happy Anniversary! James Bond is 50, and so are the Rolling Stones! A conversation about whether or not the gang should address politics on the podcast turns into a thoughtful discussion about the relationship between Christians and democracy surrounding abortion and other issues. This week on the podcast!
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Dearest Phil, Skye and Christian:
I am loving your podcast. I love Phil’s autobiography. I am from Mennonite-Minnesota roots, so Phil and I grew up in a very similar culture. I, too, am trying to figure out where I am in a world where Evangelicalism is frustrating on a variety of levels.
That said, you guys annoyed me with your political chatter this week. If it’s simplistic to say “I’m pro-life, so I’m a Republican.” then why is it not equally simplistic to say “I love the poor, so I’m a Democrat.”? (which Skye has hinted at several times). If pro-life legislation can be shown to increase abortion rates (which is true in certain studies) it is only all the more true that Democrats are better at creating poverty than fixing it (to offer one counter-argument).
I’m all for a more nuanced political conversation. But sometimes you’re providing that (like Skye’s excellent analysis that love not fear be our motivator). and other times not. I understand why Fox News loving, knee jerk partisan Republicans get under your skin. But I think that if you want to sound like you’re doing more than throwing darts at a group that bugs you, you need to be careful to look at both sides. Simplicity isn’t just for the right.
And by the way, JP Moreland (no lite weight thinker by anyone’s measure) argues that pro-life makes a strong argument for a Christian to vote Republican. So while I agree that there can be a lack of careful thinking, I also think there is a considerable case to be made that protecting the weak and defenseless as the essential task of government leads to that conclusion.
Thanks for reading. You guys are giving me much food for thought.
JD
Particularly appreciated the reminder from Colson that improving the moral fabric of th culture is better accomplished by the church than by electing the ‘right’ (or even left) leaders. I think if Christians spent more effort promoting and demonstrating virtue than trying prohibit vice we’d make a lot more progress.
HA!!!! We did the SAME thing between MSNBC and FOX! Which is not helpful if my goal is to be less cynical. I listen to the podcast while riding my bike on the trail, and since today is 65 degrees in southwestern Illinois, in contrast to 11 degrees last week…getting caught up.
“….what really binds us together is that we all love to spend our money on ridiculous garbage” Truer words were NEVER spoken
maybe we can find alien bananas…