conservatism

Well, you would be wrong. I am a conservative Christian and I do believe as the article labels as paleoconservative. I know I may be a rare bird, but I do know other conservatives within my family and friends that feel the same way. I do have a problem with the 'gay agenda' only in that I do not think it should be pushed on people's children in school, as I do not think Muslims should be given preferential treatment in our soceity either. Most of the negativity you see or perceive coming from conservatives on these two points, is a reaction to having a minority opinion or group given special treatment over and above the rest of society. The excuse is often 'we owe it to them' and I just don't agree that you should favor one over the others. In a truly fair and balance society, a libertarian society, there would be no affirmative action or gay agenda in schools. Just make sure people are treated fairly in general and stop with the preferential treatment of any group and I'd be fine with it. My rights are just as important as the next guys, and I believe that is why so many 'conservative Christians' are in an 'uproar' about those two issues. Their rights are being put on the 'back burner' and ignored so that others can have 'preferred' status.

Kevin Jennings is in a position of power. He has the power to develope curricullum for schools. His place of power in the administration is hardly part of the 'extreme'. It is becoming part of the mainstream. Abstinence does work. And I see NOTHING wrong with including it as an option. And as far as 'religious' instruction in public schools, California has laws that allow for Muslims to have a room and the time from class to pray. Tell me how that is right? I also don't think any mainstream Christian wants evolution banned from the schools. But when kids question it oftentimes, they are ridiculed and made to feel stupid for their religious faith. There's always two sides to every issue knoodleknight. Those who want everything 'fair' are not 'fair' themselves. That tells me it is not science they are really concerned with. I went to Catholic grade school. When I got to high school and I aked legitimate questions, I was told that my question was stupid. I've also had teachers make fun of me for wearing a religious medal. You want only to see the 'wrong' on one side. One more thing, my grandchildren have brought home textbooks that actually had in the text, that 'religion' is responsible for holding science and society back. That is an subjective opinion and had no place in a textbook.

I don't really see it as preferential treatment, maybe affirmative action went a bit too far. But the whole "agenda" isn't to force themselves on other people, it's to be treated as equal. There's always that one guy who's runs around "going look at me I'm gay!" Beyond that, most of them blend into society. But when they are discriminated against it becomes a big deal, and eventually laws are put in effect to try and stop discrimination. As for pushing their agenda in school. I don't really see that happening. If they include homosexuality as part of a class, who's to say that's wrong? I mean after all look how big of a social issue it is. Everyone talks about it 1 way or the other all the time. Ignoring the subject would be like ignoring the fact that we finally have a president who isn't a white guy. We could teach creationism in school too, but how much can you really say about it in science? In fairness, going beyond "some people believe we were created by one or more deities." Get's into a real sticky situation, and everyone already knows about Christianity by that age. It's not like Darwin has ever had his own chapter on evolution. Should the history of the world come with the disclaimer that some people believe the earth is only 4,000 years old and some people don't believe in dinosaurs? While we're at it, let's go into history and put a disclaimer in before 1930 and since some people now dispute the holocaust. We sure wouldn't want kids to be brainwashed by those crazy Jews. I'm not mad at you here. It's just there needs to be some objectivity. It's fine to not approve of homosexuality, but it's not okay to deny people their rights because of it. There's a whole list of things of things I don't approve of, but I accept that people are free to do them so long as I am free to pursue my own vices.

I am par libertarian, too, as long as they follow christian like living - there would be no need for laws and etc...Righteous people need no laws, the laws of for those who need the rules because they have no other rules to guide them.

This is true. But we live in a pluralistic society. True libertarianism would never work. I've had that discussion but could not convince anyone it wouldn't. Our founders understood the importance of WE THE PEOPLE...being moral. By that I do not necessarily mean following Christ's teachings. I mean morality that everyone can agree on; not stealing, not lying, not violent, not coveteous of other's property. Basic stuff. We have lost that and the void in morals has been filled by government control. God warned Israel, when they asked for a king that they would not like having one. He wanted them to allow His law to rule in their hearts, and they wanted a king to rule over them instead. Our founders understood that government was a 'necessary evil' from this story in scripture and from observing 'bad' government in Europe. We have to 'put up with' as it has been put to me, with those with whom we do not agree philosophically or religiously and allow them their freedom, if we want ours protected. Unfortunately, we are seeing the opposite of that in our government, justice is not blind and special interests with money or power get prefered.

Excellent. I have had some of the same thoughts. I've had conversations with my adult kids on this subject. We are the salt of the earth. It is our presence here that keeps the wrath of a HOLY God from the earth. We are to live an example of Christ to the unrepentant. We are to give all Glory to God. Does this mean we do not try to make lives better? No, for what we do with a pure heart for our fellow man, it is as if we did it for Christ himself. Iuliuxd, one reason why I do not affiliate with any organized church is that to some extent, they all have left their first love. They have been influenced by the world's opinions of what is right and what is wrong. True religion: James 1:27. What does God require of us? To love Him with our entire being, and to love our fellow man. Of course, the person doing this will have a positive effect. Unfortunately, we are all imperfect. And our imperfections shine more often than Christ in us. That was a great read. And he obviously saw the hypocrisy of some within the chruch. Read the seven letters to the seven churches in the opening of Revelation. Each church had a problem but one, each church age has had a problem except one, for those seven actual churches not only are historical churches, they reflect periods within church history. The only one to not be chastized? The only one to not be praised? Read it and let its message speak to you, for it also speaks to individual Christian about their relationship with Christ. Which is what the church should be most concerned with, their relationship with Christ. That can only start with the individual. For it is the individual heart, that matters to Christ.

Will I find faith when I return? Jesus asked that of us. Will Christ find us going about His business or our own? If we are loving Him truly, we will desire Him completely. It is when we try to do good of our own will, our own ideas, our own opinions, that it gets mucked up. If we concentrate on HIM, we will not be found wanting. That is why 'social programs' do not work. Eventually it becomes about the 'doer of good works' and not the love of Christ in us that shines forth. It must always be about HIM, not us.

And that letter of Basil's is 100% correct. wise man. You touched on something important. Trying to make a better world without Christ at the center of each individual's life has led to so much error, torture, sin and pain. And it will lead to even more, for it is under the guise of making a better world that the ANTICHRIST comes to power. The devil is a great imitator. He knows our hearts better than we ourselves do. And he knows how to make evil appear good, and good evil. You've brought me some great topics to research, thank you so much.