Josh:
Of note here:
As far as I know, temporal1 has never claimed to be Mennonite nor Anabaptist and subscribes to a Christian religious belief system that politics / voting etc should be used in order to promote leaders and laws that prevent things like abortion.
i once “claimed” to be Mennonite (possibly facetiously) in a thread wherein comments were made to the effect that “one is Mennonite if one feels they are Mennonite.” it may have been on MD.
in fact, i feel that anyone who actually reads the Bible is likely to find much in common with Mennonites. so many, in church membership or not, do not read. i see this on forum, not just for myself but for many other NMBs. people are attracted because they sense a common interest, or are looking for a third way: Jesus’ Way.
because i have posted so much in politics, i can fully understand the impression i’m a thoroughly political person. i was not raised in a political home, my parents may have voted occasionally, they valued the “secret ballot” to the extent they did not tell each other how they voted! they often said voting is a waste of time. they were not Anabaptist, but they were among the great numbers of those who chose not to vote for many reasons.
i continued my life with this. rarely voting. i couldn’t tell you who i voted for when i voted.
except Shirley Chisholm. i remember that vote. i was young and idealistic and ignorant, just as the young are to be. i thought she was a good idea. looking back, i have no judgment on myself. i just remember it. nothing more.
i read on this forum with interest about
not voting for religious conviction.
it’s confusing here. lots of opinions. maybe the most confusing are those who seem opinionated+partisan, but claim to be neutral. i understand the temptation. but it’s not convincing.
my most difficult experience has been since my daughter married a Catholic, is raising their daughter as a Catholic. trying to navigate this is difficult. i do everything i can to support and not confuse. i believe God specially protects children. for their location, i believe this is the best choice for her. the child does not realize the world is against her, many will try to destroy her, and think nothing of it. including those in her own family. i pray for her future. i pray she does not come to hate her family and church, which so many young people do.
personally, i don’t feel a part of any church, other than the Christian church. i believe many are in a similar place. some on this forum. i’m not sure of my future on earth or in heaven. i feel pretty lost.
i am sure God knows what is best, and He will decide the best. i will submit.
there were years i was happy in active church membership with my family. i’m grateful for those years. that church was damaged, as many churches have been. Mennonites have similar struggles.
i don’t recall ever being told to vote in church, or for whom to vote.
altho voting was not questioned. it was ok, not discussed or promoted.
many in my life have criticized some churches for being highly political. i agree with this. not the place.
Josh:
I decided a few years ago to stop arguing about this, although it’s pertinent that this board is currently in a “no politics” request from its moderators.
yes.
i appreciate your input, always have, no matter your impatience with me. i’ve admired your heart and intent, which is much more important than your impatience with me.
Josh:
On the other hand, Bootstrap keeps insisting on the primacy of Mennonite and Anabaptist beliefs about politics yet seems very engaged with voting and passing laws to somehow bring about more justice, yet mysteriously spends most his time campaigning against anything politically conservative.
It’s a mysterious position to take.
yes.
