The GOP is in dangerous territory on this, and many other issues currently coming forward. They are somewhere between trying to expand the base, and in doing the expanding of the base alienating even more of their core. The use of words, the meaning of words must hold their meaning. Why did Rick Perry completely crash and burn in the nomination process? It was not a policy issue as some would like to believe. It had nothing to do with his immigration stances, nor did it have anything to do with his distaste for certain business practices. It was his words.

For instance. Any time I hear a republican saying that they are “leaving revenues on the table” or such things as that I cringe. Why do I cringe? Because by using the language that democrats use for tax increases we are surrendering the narrative. If raising taxes absolutely raises revenue and it is the only way to raise revenues then we are admitting the stated position we have had for 30+ years is not only politically inexpedient, but that we were wrong the whole time on the issue.

The more I hear about the “right” to same sex “marriage” the more I cringe. As more and more conservatives start using this sort of language it becomes harder and harder for any other conclusion but federal redefinition of a Religious word. Words have meaning. Word’s matter. More damage is done by the opposition to something that buckle then by those that want those changes to happen.

In the end, it allows faithful conservatives to be branded as extremists for even mentioning the founding principles of our government. It is how they have with marginal success lumped those who believe in those principles with those like Alex Jones who clearly are not part of, much less a leader of the movement.

Word usage is probably the most important thing in politics right now. Maybe more so then actual policy particularly with the administration and senate we currently have right now.

I liked & agreed with most of what you wrote. Really can’t understand your listing of ‘Gangs of New York’ though. An awful film. I thought I would be offended by its ahistorical illogic but it was so drawn out I was just bored.

I’ve seen the Berg quote before but I thought it was Burke so now I’m curious.

Go Cubs!

Will

Ephesians 6 from vs. 10 states that we should DEFEND ourselves. We should put on the FULL armour from the head-gear right down to the correct shoes and that includes a sword & shield. Though this is a spiritual reference to what our stance should be against Satan and his demons, I also believe that we should NOT be passive when it comes to “mapping” our territory physically and be on the look out (like watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem) for any plans the enemy might have against us, our families and our country. Just as we prayerfully intercede and break down and block the plans of the enemy BEFORE they arrive (dismanteling possible problems) we sometimes have to attack and break down structures that have been built and armour that has been raised against us and has come upon us without us noticing. The best and safest place to be spiritually and physically, is to stay alert and on the lookout and dismantle anything before it comes our way. Yes I believe in self-defence within ourselves (immediate surroundings) and on a broader spectrum, (our country and neighbours) – the Bible instructs us NOT to be passive, but to be alert – because the enemy walks around like a roaring lion, looking to see who he can devour.

Jesus was tagged as a rebel against Judaic law, for healing on the Sabbath, for forgiving a woman caught in adultery, for calling the Pharasees “a brood of vipers”, for calling Himself, “the Son of God”, for saying we have the power to forgive, for saying: “Bless and do not curse”, and many other things.

If He lived today, he would have been crucified by ALL governments and religions altogether and so also his outspoken disciples along with Him.

I am so thankful to Brady Cremeens for this article and blog. I can now classify myself as a rebel for the right things, even though sometimes by law and social standard they are classified as wrong, by my Messiah’s standard I will be able to live with my conscience.

It’s interesting that you draw a spectrum from America as we know it today and Hitler, observing that the line of obedience to authority must be somewhere between the obviously acceptable U.S. and the obviously unacceptable Hitler. My question is – why do American Christians accept a society in which the military plays a central role, and which, for the past few decades, generally keeps at least one elective war active at any given time? I am ceaselessy amazed at the rationalizations Christians employ to evade the very clear teachings of Christ on the matter of violence, killing, and self-defense.

In short, I don’t understand why you would cheerfully pay for nuclear missiles, FASCAM, or F-22s, and then balk because some of your taxes might go to Planned Parenthood. That just seems a bit, well, skewed.

In the end it comes down to how are we participating in the evil act. Are we directly providing these services by paying taxes or purchasing insurance? No. It’s a rather remote participation in evil.

The good of purchasing insurance for our families and the good of funding most government functions out-weigh the evils we monetarily support by paying premiums and taxes.

As citizens we have the ability (and I would argue the responsibility) to work as hard as we can to make changes we think are necessary. But we can’t ignore God’s word which clearly instructs us to be subject to governing authorities.

The clearest example is in Matthew 17:24-17 –

“After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”

“From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (NIV)”

Notice that Jesus does not question how the money will be used.

billgent raises a good point. Do we consider what a homeless person is going to do with the money if we offer them a few bucks? Sure. Should it matter? I don’t think so. Giving the person money is an act of mercy. It’s about us and our heart, not what we believe may or may not be the motivations of the person we are assisting.