Answer John McCain's Question on LinkedIn

[John McCain Volunteer Staff]

John McCain just posted the following question on LinkedIn!!

What is the biggest challenge America faces?
Our country is faced with challenges as we enter into the 21st century. I am prepared to effectively deal with these challenges and lead our country as President on Day 1. Please let me know what you view as the biggest challenge America faces and how you would like your President to address this challenge.

http://www.linkedin.com/answers/government-non-profit/government-po...

[James Carder]

I think that the biggest 'spiritual' challenge that the country faces is in getting itself turned around on 'Roe vs. Wade' which may be at the root of all the nation's woes.

I believe that abortion should be banned except to save the life of the mother and that any decision to abort should only be made by the father of the child. If the father of the child is not available, then the decision to abort should be made by the doctor or person doing the abortion.

This conviction is predicated on my belief that 'life begins at conception' and that the taking of the life of an innocent unborn child does not justify rape, fornication or adultery of any kind by an adult.

Two wrongs simply don't make a right.

Otherwise: fornication, rape and adultery cannot be morally corrected or justified by the murder of an unborn child."

Once these sins are committed, the only redemption from them is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Those who believe and repent will live by faith that their sins have been forgiven by God...and this is the justice and mercy of the Lord.

...which says, 'the JUST shall live by faith'...and 'woe unto those who keep the poor from judgment.'

'Judgment' in this case meaning both correction or condemnation.

This is pretty tough talk...can the nation survive it?

My website: Click

[www.mccaingooglegroups.com]

Very Rarely do I agree 100% with posts I see around the web. This is an exception.
Great Site as well Jim.

[Jim]

James,

You’re losing me a here. Yes, I’m a parent, and yes, I consider myself to be Christian, but my belief system tends to be oriented toward the love, acceptance and understanding Christ spoke of. I also believe in the separation of church and state, which is another of my problems with John McCain right now. I feel he is far too willing to pander to the religious right in trying to win votes.

Abortion, gay marriage, and family values are all things that the ultra right trot out to scare people into voting for them. Given that they were pretty much unopposed in the first 6 years of the Bush administration and passed no laws in support of those supposed values, I doubt they believe in them either. Again, are they pandering for votes, or, as a party do they really believe these things? I think they're just pandering. If not, why no laws banning either gay marriage or abortions? I wouldn't have supported either, but my point here is that they didn't either.

I don’t buy into the idea that any one group is saved, and another destined for hell. If I did I’d have to look at more than half the world as destined for that fate, and I don’t think that the loving God that Christ or Mohammed talked about would allow that to happen. So, next weekend I’ll be one of the many people that will pack into a large room to listen to the Dalai Lama when he visits Ann Arbor. Am I a Buddhist? No, but I do appreciate much of what he teaches, and I do want to understand what he believes.

It must be very difficult living in the Middle East as a minority – a Christian in an Islamic area. I can understand where it might even drive one to greater orthodoxy, but I would ask you to consider that when Jesus was asked (at the Last Supper) what he would have his follower’s do he said they should love each other.

Good luck in whatever you do.

Jim

[The Mad Irish Man]

Mayhap some serious bible study would assist. God speaks to us, yet only via his word. How do we speak with God? By spending time in his word. Too many share the aforementioned misguided view Jim.

Recently while reading in my Bible the below verses caught my eye, and in particular the words underlined. I share my thoughts hoping and praying that they will encourage some one to seek out and begin a journey of faith with their own relationship with Jesus Christ. God sent His Son into the world to demonstrate His unconditional love for you and to give His life as a ransom, to redeem you (John 3:16 and Acts 2:21). To live independent of God is to reject the only provision God has provided for our salvation. May the Spirit of God give you illumination as you read these verses.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20 (NIV)

Now there is a great deal in these three verses that could be developed, but the words that caught my eye as the two words….GODLESSNESS and WICKEDNESS. Please note that GODLESSNESS and WICKEDNESS are coupled together. Now we can understand how bad wickedness would be. None of us like anything wicked. But notice that godlessness is going to bring the WRATH OF GOD down upon people just as wickedness is going to. In other words, people don’t have to be classified as wicked to be a recipient of God’s coming wrath, just live lives that leave God out….godless. The above verses tell us that deep in the heart of every living being God has placed knowledge of Himself. In a little corner of every heart and mind a point is touched when they look at the things of creation. Looking at the snow flake, looking at a rose bud, looking into the face of a dear child, looking at the beautiful sunset, all around us are the visible details of a divine creator.

Another two serious words in the above verses are the words…SUPPRESS and TRUTH. This tells us that mankind knowingly SUPPRESSES THE TRUTH, not only about God in his own heart, but knowingly suppress truth so that others are not allowed to hear it. Folks, you cannot honestly look around this world in which we are living and not see storm clouds forming. Oh, I know people have been saying this for centuries but never before has it been on such a worldwide scale. Pick a spot on the globe and there is a serious potential for a major blow up, both politically and financially. Now can things get better? I pray they will, but sooner or later, God’s patience with a rebellious planet will end. I personally think that time is drawing near, but my grandfather did also. But this you can know, there will be a point of no return for planet earth, and it is our job to not suppress this truth, but to share it with those who look up to us for leadership. But before you can honestly share it, you need to reevaluate the TRUTH, and be convinced that biblical revelation is true. Dear readers, God wants to have a part in your life and a relationship with each of you by faith, but only you can allow that to happen by the yielding of your will. Find a church that does not suppress the truths of God, and open your heart and life to the greatest earthly adventure ever, the godly adventure of faith. Blessings.
Sr. Pastor Dick Arnold

[Don Castella]

Amen
Very well said Pastor. Those who trust in the grace of God have peace in their hearts that transcends the troubles of this present world. His grace is a gift for all that believe to enjoy forever.

[James Carder]

My obligation is only to express the truth as God has revealed it to me...after that, I am under no obligation to anyone but God and am free to brush the dust from my clothes and go my way. I have been doing just that for 30 years, but in particular the message I first delivered on abortion has not changed in the slightest in all that time. The only thing that has changed is that the nation has slid backwards.

Unfortunately, when it comes to spiritual matters, the majority of people usually fall away...because the path ahead has become too straight and narrow for them.

But again, what did Christ say? '...Many are called, but few are chosen...'

Democracy is actually a very dangerous thing when placed into the wrong hands, especially if your name happens to be Pontius Pilate or Herod and you are willing to let the mob have its sway over the fate of an outspoken man.

This is one reason why I decided to become a Republican at an early stage of my political and spiritual development.

I believe in the 'rule of law' and in the protection of the most innocent and vulnerable of society, which begins with the unborn.

You will probably see, if you study history, that the best decisions have always been made by men that feared God rather than by the unruly majority of the people.

Unfortunately, when a leader is weak, so usually are the people under a democracy because the natural inclination of the masses is to take the least painful path to self fulfillment which is not always the best way that builds character willing to accept like a child the judgment of God.

Thus in 30 years a nation has degenerated and this story now has passed before all who have spiritual eyes to see that even more is coming.

Jer:26:18: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion (was) shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem /shall/ become heaps, and the mountains of the house as the high places of a forest.
Jer:30:17: For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
Jer:31:6: For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.
Jer:31:12: Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
Jer:50:5: They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the LORD in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.
Jer:50:28: The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.

A Moslem friend from Syria has just reminded me to tell you folks that the scriptures of the Bible were written from the Middle East.

But again '...No prophet is without honor, except in his own home and amongst his own people...'

So, how can my fellow Americans be blamed for their unbelief in the Holy Word of God?

Alas! God has already forgiven you.

And, I think it's a miracle that took 30 years to bake.

But the nation must repent or its moment will be lost and the judgment
will be even more severe.

This is the TRUTH.

And yes, you are right...I don't like to stick my neck out this way. I would rather go and keep running like Jonas.

It's funny...I was told not long ago by someone who made a comment about one of my posts on the Internet:

"How does it feel to be in the belly of the beast".

Well, 'no more'.

[Jim]

So I must ask, how happy are you with the republican party, and why would you vote for John McCain? They've had almost unopposed control of all three branches of government for most of the last seven years and all they've managed to do is dig us into a level of dept we may not have a way out of, involve us in a war we may not be able to extricate ourselves from and they've done nothing to forward your agenda of criminalizing godlessness or wickedness.

I'm surprised that this blog has so quickly reverted to religion, especially given it's original premise, but I fear that is the problem the republican party faces at every turn. If McCain is to stand any chance in November it will have to be, in part, because he can either control or distance himself from it.

In closing all I can offer is that your interpretation of scripture, while it may prove worthy in your eyes, is not a universal interpretation. Man has been studying and interpreting the bible since the books to be used were selected, and the discourse over the Old Testament goes back even further. A great many men in history have claimed that their interpretation was the most accurate and as often as not have used it to justify war, oppression and imperialism. Wars in the name of God are no less insane if they're perpetrated by Muslims than they are if they're perpetrated by Christians.

Jim

[www.mccaingooglegroups.com]

Eloquently put, however nothing more than a cop-out. I feel quite strongly with all semblance of circumspection it did little more than destroy your argument.

[James Carder]

This is why it is said that 'religion and politics' don't mix. Unfortunately, it is the spiritual convictions we have that mostly govern the things we do in the forefront.

Maybe the best thing, for the sake of avoiding argument, is to be true to onesself and not discuss with others what drives you.

In many ways it only leads to sadness and more strife.

Anyway, I've said my piece on abortion, I'll not bring it up again.

Not for a long, long, time.

[Jim]

Ha! You're right! The topic shifted, I didn't like where it was going, and I reacted. I would have done better to stay on point.

In truth I tend to be more quietly religious. As a cancer survivor I've maintained a very close a personal relationship with God. I just see God a little differently than some. In my experience God has been all love, but he's also had an incredible sense of humor! But he's also smiled on my life. Because my life has been so blessed I get put off by talk of fearing God.

That said, let me apologize if I've offended anyone. Stay active, and stay concerned. We've been given an incredible country, an incredible planet and an incredible time to be alive. This next election is one that will have great significance to everyone on the planet - and certainly a great deal to everyone who lives or wants to live in this country.

But please ask your candidates to answer the questions that are important to you, and if they don't answer, keep asking. For me those questions are about the economy. Why? Because when America is strong she leads the world through soft diplomacy. The world looks to us as an example of what can be. When we're strong economically we can help make life better for our citizens, and we tend to be more generous with others around the world.

Good luck to all of us in November!

Jim

[James Carder]

Jesus loved the sinner but hated the sin. His unconditional forgiveness is wrapped with the notion that people must repent to be saved...not continue in their sins and argue with God about it. He also said that many are called, but few are chosen.

Your agument is the basic problem that I see with the feminist movement in America.

The devil handed it an apple and they ate it.

Keep in mind that 'even the enemies of God love each other.'

There is the love of God and the kind of love sinners have for each other.

My views on abortion have not changed in 30 years but unfortunately the Party and the nation have fallen away since then.

Yes, the nation is in a sorry state...but it's nothing that can be argued with God about.

One must be careful about who's side one is on.

And not to be self-deceived with a lukewarm notion of what Christ is all about.

True love does not let a child to whatever he wants.

As a father, you should know about this.

As far as living in the Middle East as a Christian is concerned...remember, '...if a man's ways please God, even his enemies will are at peace with him...'

I don't have much contention with the Islamic community and there are even practicing Christians here...all tolerated in this society.

At one point I even had a soul tell me that I had the 'protection of Allah'.

Every religion has its fringe elements...if you will recall what happened in Waco, Texas, at Ruby Ridge and with Jim Jones...and, there are plenty more to mention.

So, I need not go into explaining why Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda or the Taliban exist in Islam.

[Don Castella]

I believe the biggest challenge America faces is the threat of WMDs falling into the hands of terrorists. It seems likely that they would use them against America or other free countries, particularly in the West. Such an attack could dwarf 9/11 in its potential for death, injury and destruction.

The price of freedom is vigilence. I trust that john McCain understands and acknowledges that repsonsibility.