MennoNet.com

Due to the immense popularity and discussion of the original thread, I decided to bless MN with a sequel. Dan Z had quite a few suggestions in the original thread, so some of this is borrowed from him.

Original thread found here:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2226

For the newcomers, feel free to vote in both.

Thanks.

I’m waiting for options like “marched around with a Communist flag” and “know the lyrics to the anthem of the German Democratic Republic.”

None of the above. They do not relate conservative or liberal, politically or theologically, but are social choices. We could argue whether they are good choices or poor choices, but they don't relate to generosity, care for the weak, believing in biblical authority, or political parties.

JimFoxvog wrote:None of the above. They do not relate conservative or liberal, politically or theologically, but are social choices. We could argue whether they are good choices or poor choices, but they don't relate to generosity, care for the weak, believing in biblical authority, or political parties.

I think it’s a matter of perspective. The choices above so represent a kind of liberalism from a plain conservative Anabaptist perspective. When I was growing up, people and communities that engaged in these things were seen as “drifting” theologically or becoming worldly.

Szdfan wrote:I’m waiting for options like “marched around with a Communist flag” and “know the lyrics to the anthem of the German Democratic Republic.”

BTW, I’ve done these things. I was five in West Berlin and marched around the apartment flying the East German flag and singing. Not sure if that makes me a comrade.

Szdfan wrote:

JimFoxvog wrote:None of the above. They do not relate conservative or liberal, politically or theologically, but are social choices. We could argue whether they are good choices or poor choices, but they don't relate to generosity, care for the weak, believing in biblical authority, or political parties.

I think it’s a matter of perspective. The choices above so represent a kind of liberalism from a plain conservative Anabaptist perspective. When I was growing up, people and communities that engaged in these things were seen as “drifting” theologically or becoming worldly.

I don't know how many years ago you were "growing up" but I would be interested to know where the folks are today that engaged in those activities. Did they continue to "drift" or were they able to hold to their beliefs while making room for these activities?

Biblical Anabaptist wrote:

Szdfan wrote:

JimFoxvog wrote:None of the above. They do not relate conservative or liberal, politically or theologically, but are social choices. We could argue whether they are good choices or poor choices, but they don't relate to generosity, care for the weak, believing in biblical authority, or political parties.

I think it’s a matter of perspective. The choices above so represent a kind of liberalism from a plain conservative Anabaptist perspective. When I was growing up, people and communities that engaged in these things were seen as “drifting” theologically or becoming worldly.

I don't know how many years ago you were "growing up" but I would be interested to know where the folks are today that engaged in those activities. Did they continue to "drift" or were they able to hold to their beliefs while making room for these activities?

This would have been in the late 80’s and early ‘90’s.

For the most part, the conservative Mennonite community I was adjacent to has kept onto their beliefs. Most of them have TVs and Cable. They are involved in Republican politics in a way that they weren’t before. While some of my friends and family would no longer identify as conservative Mennonite, most of them have found ways to accommodate these activities while hanging on to their beliefs.

Szdfan wrote:

Biblical Anabaptist wrote:

Szdfan wrote: I think it’s a matter of perspective. The choices above so represent a kind of liberalism from a plain conservative Anabaptist perspective. When I was growing up, people and communities that engaged in these things were seen as “drifting” theologically or becoming worldly.

I don't know how many years ago you were "growing up" but I would be interested to know where the folks are today that engaged in those activities. Did they continue to "drift" or were they able to hold to their beliefs while making room for these activities?

This would have been in the late 80’s and early ‘90’s.

For the most part, the conservative Mennonite community I was adjacent to has kept onto their beliefs. Most of them have TVs and Cable. They are involved in Republican politics in a way that they weren’t before. While some of my friends and family would no longer identify as conservative Mennonite, most of them have found ways to accommodate these activities while hanging on to their beliefs.

I don't believe the bolded is possible.

Wade wrote: I don't believe the bolded is possible.

I think again we are falling into that trap of discerning what is "conservative."

(which is the point of this thread )

steve-in-kville wrote:

Wade wrote: I don't believe the bolded is possible.

I think again we are falling into that trap of discerning what is "conservative."

(which is the point of this thread )

But of course, ‘conservative’ is a discriminating, spiritually profiling term like ‘racist,’ used to on-the-spot label anyone perceived to be more conservative than the person making the identification.