Lessons for the Church from the DC Riots

[Bootstrap]

i presume brakes were invented after wheels, necessity being the mother of invention.

That's really quite funny!

[Bootstrap]

I have always spoken against violence and riots. And I have spoken clearly against political involvement.

I am for speaking truth about sins like racism, abortion, etc.

Hopefully that clears it up. I do understand the angst that drives the Jake Angelis of the world.

I think some of us don't see much difference in principle from protesting and rioting.

JBG didn't say anything about protesting in that list. I do see a difference between rioting and peaceful protests. But I don't think either of us have said Christians should be out on the streets, I think we have said that we believe the BLM protestors are protesting real injustices.

May I suggest something? If people want to avoid making this divisive and political, it's probably best to avoid slapping negative generalizations on them based on what you think you remember about their past posts. Better to focus on the questions we are discussing here.

[Wade]

I have always spoken against violence and riots. And I have spoken clearly against political involvement.

I am for speaking truth about sins like racism, abortion, etc.

Hopefully that clears it up. I do understand the angst that drives the Jake Angelis of the world.

I think some of us don't see much difference in principle from protesting and rioting.

JBG didn't say anything about protesting in that list. I do see a difference between rioting and peaceful protests. But I don't think either of us have said Christians should be out on the streets, I think we have said that we believe the BLM protestors are protesting real injustices.

May I suggest something? If people want to avoid making this divisive and political, it's probably best to avoid slapping negative generalizations on them based on what you think you remember about their past posts. Better to focus on the questions we are discussing here.

If you are going to respond to me then please don't cut out my words ignoring my explanation.

[Bootstrap]

If you are going to respond to me then please don't cut out my words ignoring my explanation.

I was trying to avoid going deeper into divisive and political stuff, so I did not want to respond to the rest of that.

Personally, think we are more likely to have a useful conversation if we:

1. Try to avoid diving into hot-button political events
2. Try to avoid asking people to prove things to us
3. Try to be very clear about what we believe the Bible teaches and how we should apply it
4. Keep the Menno Simons quote in mind

[Wade]

If you are going to respond to me then please don't cut out my words ignoring my explanation.

I was trying to avoid going deeper into divisive and political stuff, so I did not want to respond to the rest of that.

Personally, think we are more likely to have a useful conversation if we:

1. Try to avoid diving into hot-button political events
2. Try to avoid asking people to prove things to us
3. Try to be very clear about what we believe the Bible teaches and how we should apply it
4. Keep the Menno Simons quote in mind

Jonathan, I did not do anything other than those four things. Then you cut off what I said and continue to imply otherwise. Because you continually take people out of context and manipulate other people's words to fit your agenda - I have no desire to engage with you. This why I usually don't read your posts but since the political section is gone I guess we might be rubbing shoulders again, or it's time to quit?!

[Wayne in Maine]

Wayne, what lessons do you believe the church should learn from the DC Riots?

The same lessons that it should have learned from the “mostly peaceful “ riots that occurred when Donald Trump was inaugurated.

[Ernie]

Wayne, what lessons do you believe the church should learn from the DC Riots?

The same lessons that it should have learned from the “mostly peaceful “ riots that occurred when Donald Trump was inaugurated.

Are you referring to this?

Or this? https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2670621/d ... ot-police/

[RZehr]

As we see the powerful tech companies shut down their foes, and see the backlash against attendees of this rally, how their businesses are boycotted and they are fired from their jobs, I hope the church does not decide to plow ahead with taking political sides and becoming more involved in politics and turning to political solutions. And trying to fight this losing battle with carnal weapons. Don’t try to “save” democracy and this government and nation by force. Don’t disrespect the new President and the new government.

The lesson for the church to note, is that this discrimination will be directed at Christians someday. It may come from the Democrats by way of their liberal social policies become involved mandatory. That is what we expect. We hold to Biblical teachings that a sinful society hates. But it may very well come from the right as well, maybe over some patriotic issue. Likely, at some point it will come from both. We may face boycotts and lose jobs for not kowtowing to sinful ideologies. Hopefully not for many years.

So save your feelings of discrimination and wrongness for something worth taking a stand on. Trump isn’t worth taking a stand for. Politics aren’t worth giving up the third way for. They won’t meet the need. Democracy is pretty great, but it’s not paramount. But while we have freedom let us it to further Godliness, not use it to attend rally’s or fight over matters that aren’t our primary mission.

[ohio jones]

Several posts not directly related to the OP have been moved to a Bunny Trails thread in the Politics forum. They will be visible when that forum is restored.

This thread is for Lessons for the Church (primarily Anabaptist churches) from the DC Riots.

[JimFoxvog]

A big general lesson is to be alert to the tremendous power of lies. To stay apolitical, I won't say who I think has been lying.