I try to do this... but when close family members and church members exhibit cult-like allegiance to him and sing his praises using exaggerated and unsubstantiated claims (eg this paraphrase, "God's blessing is on him because his mother was a praying mother; you know like my Mennonite grandmother" ), I wonder if one shouldn't say something sometime? Maybe your experience is different? I agree with not getting sucked into an argument that goes nowhere, but my conscience is continually pricking me with my desire and tendency to stay silent, particularly with people I consider brothers/sisters in Christ.
I try to do this... but when close family members and church members exhibit cult-like allegiance to him and sing his praises using exaggerated and unsubstantiated claims (eg this paraphrase, "God's blessing is on him because his mother was a praying mother; you know like my Mennonite grandmother" ), I wonder if one shouldn't say something sometime? Maybe your experience is different? I agree with not getting sucked into an argument that goes nowhere, but my conscience is continually pricking me with my desire and tendency to stay silent, particularly with people I consider brothers/sisters in Christ.
Especially when some people use religious language and tell me that Trump is America's only hope ... seriously?
I try to do this... but when close family members and church members exhibit cult-like allegiance to him and sing his praises using exaggerated and unsubstantiated claims (eg this paraphrase, "God's blessing is on him because his mother was a praying mother; you know like my Mennonite grandmother" ), I wonder if one shouldn't say something sometime? Maybe your experience is different? I agree with not getting sucked into an argument that goes nowhere, but my conscience is continually pricking me with my desire and tendency to stay silent, particularly with people I consider brothers/sisters in Christ.
I think if you have a consistent testimony of staying above politics, that is speaking loud enough in heated situations. If one of your family members wants your input, then proceed not from an oppositional or Democrat position, but rather from a non-participant position.
I'd compare it to when a homosexual person asks about my beliefs on his issue. It isn't that we are against only his homosexual lifestyle. I'm also against fornication, divorce & remarriage.
RZehr wrote:I think if you have a consistent testimony of staying above politics, that is speaking loud enough in heated situations. If one of your family members wants your input, then proceed not from an oppositional or Democrat position, but rather from a non-participant position.
RZehr wrote:I think if you have a consistent testimony of staying above politics, that is speaking loud enough in heated situations. If one of your family members wants your input, then proceed not from an oppositional or Democrat position, but rather from a non-participant position.
I'd compare it to when a homosexual person asks about my beliefs on his issue. It isn't that we are against only his homosexual lifestyle. I'm also against fornication, divorce & remarriage.
This is great advice RZehr, and this is something I am trying to do. I will say though, that sometimes when I've tried this, the comeback sounds something like this, "Oh so you're one of those Democrats or, you're just parroting the leftist/Democrat talking points!" I could be quoting Scripture and that's taken as a partisan jab because it it's considered opposition to their position (which it is). Generally that's when I back out of the conversation. But again I give your suggestion a big thumbs up for those times when saying a little is necessary.
RZehr wrote:I think if you have a consistent testimony of staying above politics, that is speaking loud enough in heated situations. If one of your family members wants your input, then proceed not from an oppositional or Democrat position, but rather from a non-participant position.
Amen to that.
X3.
We all encounter adversarial personalities: those who see argument as their social currency. After a couple of back and forths we can generally tell if that's their MO. Sometimes you can get through, sometimes it's better to shake the dust, pray and walk away.
), I wonder if one shouldn't say something sometime? Maybe your experience is different? I agree with not getting sucked into an argument that goes nowhere, but my conscience is continually pricking me with my desire and tendency to stay silent, particularly with people I consider brothers/sisters in Christ.