joshuabgood wrote:I personally know some BMA type Mennonites that were at the Capitol the other day. And I know many more that are very sympathetic with whatever it was that was driving that event.
The church should learn, but probably won't in some corners, that worldly political leaders are false saviours.
Perhaps they were following your lead after spending the summer telling us participating in BLM riots was OK and in fact a good thing we should all be doing.
In fact, that’s the argument I see played out right now: if the summer riots were OK, then this must be OK too.
What’s your response to that? A powerful response would be to admit that, no, the riots this summer weren’t OK, and Christians shouldn’t be involved in political protests.
joshuabgood wrote:I personally know some BMA type Mennonites that were at the Capitol the other day. And I know many more that are very sympathetic with whatever it was that was driving that event.
The church should learn, but probably won't in some corners, that worldly political leaders are false saviours.
Perhaps they were following your lead after spending the summer telling us participating in BLM riots was OK and in fact a good thing we should all be doing.
In fact, that’s the argument I see played out right now: if the summer riots were OK, then this must be OK too.
What’s your response to that? A powerful response would be to admit that, no, the riots this summer weren’t OK, and Christians shouldn’t be involved in political protests.
I have never been in favor of riots. Hopefully that clears that up. Taking over the Capitol to protest an election outcome because your guy lost seems different to me from protesting racism, or abortion, or separating kids from parents. I ca get behind protesting a sin...I am not excited about insurrection bc of political loyalty.
joshuabgood wrote:I personally know some BMA type Mennonites that were at the Capitol the other day. And I know many more that are very sympathetic with whatever it was that was driving that event.
The church should learn, but probably won't in some corners, that worldly political leaders are false saviours.
Perhaps they were following your lead after spending the summer telling us participating in BLM riots was OK and in fact a good thing we should all be doing.
In fact, that’s the argument I see played out right now: if the summer riots were OK, then this must be OK too.
What’s your response to that? A powerful response would be to admit that, no, the riots this summer weren’t OK, and Christians shouldn’t be involved in political protests.
I have never been in favor of riots. Hopefully that clears that up. Taking over the Capitol to protest an election outcome because your guy lost seems different to me from protesting racism, or abortion, or separating kids from parents. I ca get behind protesting a sin...I am not excited about insurrection bc of political loyalty.
You were quite sympathetic to the protests and riots this summer and encouraged us all to try to empathise.
You might want to consider your own advice. The people who rioted last week probably think they’re also protesting something very bad and evil, instead of how you perceive it. Speaking out strongly against going to political protests is the right thing to do, and I see that you’re unwilling to do it.
This looks in every way like a political discussion to me. At one point Mennonet was all politics all the time, and that’s when I dropped my participation. There is a variety of Mennonite (often converts) that come into the “community” through certain assumptions about Anabaptism and (right and left wing) assumptions about their social and political beliefs and practices: resisting “the World” or welcoming “Progressive” moves aligned with one’s perception of God’s Kingdom.
I appreciate the attempt to shut down the political strife here, but it’s going to take more than dropping a category on a discussion group.
A says something. B thinks A is being political. A thinks B is being political. Each thinks or at least says they are trying to avoid partisan politics. Each thinks or at least says that they are trying to put the Kingdom of God first.
To get past this, we probably need a clearer definition of what "being political" means, and a definition that works the same way across the political spectrum. Perhaps we can each try explaining what we think we mean by that?
Also, accusing someone else of getting it wrong doesn't help understand what you think is right and why. I suspect our collective discernment would be hundreds of times better if people would just stop accusing other participants on a regular basis.
And it would also be helpful to avoid the "me and my group are the ones who are right" approach. That can easily bleed into self-righteousness. Better to focus on figuring out, together, what getting it right looks like.
Wayne in Maine wrote:This looks in every way like a political discussion to me. At one point Mennonet was all politics all the time, and that’s when I dropped my participation. There is a variety of Mennonite (often converts) that come into the “community” through certain assumptions about Anabaptism and (right and left wing) assumptions about their social and political beliefs and practices: resisting “the World” or welcoming “Progressive” moves aligned with one’s perception of God’s Kingdom.
Indeed.
Wayne in Maine wrote: I appreciate the attempt to shut down the political strife here, but it’s going to take more than dropping a category on a discussion group.
Perhaps install a proximity alarm when political talking points emerge?
joshuabgood wrote: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. The action can be different but the heart could be closer and since so many "protests" have some form of riot being produced from it - it really seems like protesting or encouraging protesting; if nothing else helps cultivate violence eventually even if not seen outwardly by planting wrong attitudes in hearts.
Christ's nonresistance cultivated violence against Himself - if we are a part of any protest that cultivates any ill will toward property or person besides ourself I think we are missing something vital and are likely guilty of not following Christ in not resisting evil.
Last edited by Wade on Sat Jan 09, 2021 5:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Wayne in Maine wrote:This looks in every way like a political discussion to me. At one point Mennonet was all politics all the time, and that’s when I dropped my participation. There is a variety of Mennonite (often converts) that come into the “community” through certain assumptions about Anabaptism and (right and left wing) assumptions about their social and political beliefs and practices: resisting “the World” or welcoming “Progressive” moves aligned with one’s perception of God’s Kingdom.
I appreciate the attempt to shut down the political strife here, but it’s going to take more than dropping a category on a discussion group.
i believe it will take effort, esp early on. This is Day 2. withdrawal symptoms.
old habits die hard. i’m convinced many (of us everywhere) have no concept of how steeped in media and politics we are, how seductive and intoxicating it is.
i’m glad you noticed the announcement. i was hoping you would.
i presume brakes were invented after wheels, necessity being the mother of invention.
