Political Stand

Just in case anyone was wondering where I stand politically - I have been a registered Republican ever since I began to vote. My belief system more closely follows the platform of that party. Morally, I could not be a part of a political party that condones abortion-on-demand and late-term abortions. I just do not agree with the position that abortion is OK because it is a woman's body and she can do with it what she wants. From the time the sperm and the egg combine and begin to divide, there is a new DNA, unique, different than the mother. To me that is a NEW life. Another reason is that, as far as I know, the entire birth process - the timing, the contractions, etc., is controlled, not by the mother, but by the placenta. It produces chemicals that trigger physical changes in the mother. To me that is another proof that this incredibly complex organism is it's own person. I believe that the baby has rights, even before it is born.

For these, and other reasons, I have been a Republican.

HOWEVER, during the past 5 years, I have seen the steady, seemingly intentional erosion of individual rights, such as privacy. The Patriot Act, which President Bush says is necessary in the war on terror, can easily be used on ANY group that the government deems a threat. I have known too many politicians to put any real faith or trust in them to be truthful or trustworthy. And the higher the office, the less I trust them. In the Republican Party as a whole, there continues to seem to be a push to move this country to a form of Theocratic Democracy, where everyone will have to conform to their values and morals. That is not of God and not Biblical.

In a recent sermon I preached at my church from the book of 1 Samuel, I related how King Saul, had been told by the prophet Samuel to wait for his arrival before they went out to battle the enemy army that greatly outnumbered them. Saul waited the week he was supposed to, but Samuel did not come. Then Saul, a civil King of God's chosen people who God selected Himself, took on the role of a priest and led out in the sacrifical service. When Samuel did arrive, he told Saul that what he had done was not according to God's will. Even Saul, with his background, was not appropriate to lead out in a worship service. I fear that many Christian's in politics and even in the church, are wanting to make the mistake that Saul did.

Anyway, for those and other reasons, in the last election, I voted Libertarian.