In nations around the world many people are crying out because they see the erosion of
what has been considered sacred freedoms. In western countries where freedom of speech
was written in constitutions long ago, it is now coming into question.
The loss of human rights, and even life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness may not be far behind.Jim Tuck
Always looking to find something wrong in the world around them, COG splinter groups were taught well by the mother church to hone in on negativity. UCG zeroed in on the political situation in the United States. Nowhere in the world is the political situation being exploited more than here in the US, due to the blithering idiots on both sides of the aisle here in the US. They have succeeded in dividing the country.
Even in Armstrongism where politics run deep through its veins, they imagine themselves as the authority on what is right and wrong. Sure they mouth off the standard warnings and platitudes on how evil the world is, but none of them are concerned enough to make their voices heard by getting out and voting. All they do is just blab and blab as they thrust out their self-righteous chests in mock authority.
I can feel the spittle flying now...
Herbert Armstrong told us not to vote and to not get involved in world affairs. Besides, what if we voted for the wrong issue or party? That's why we must rely upon God to appoint the leaders we deserve.
Using that logic the non-voters say to their god that they believe it is incapable of inspiring a person to vote for the candidate/party or referendum it chooses. Armstrongism's god is always so weak.
Anyway, back to UCG patriotic stance and where their loyalty lies. As the TRUE patriots of the church and the world, they are ready to endure being hated, scoffed at, harassed, or even put to death by the magistrates of this world. Armstrongism has always been about pretend patriotism that they never lifted a finger to defend but pretend to be martyrs for their so-called truth.
True patriots of the Kingdom
Hebrew 11 gives a list of the dedicated matriarchs and patriarchs—many of which gave their lives—as true patriots of the Kingdom. It says in Hebrews 11:13-16:
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
The apostle Paul wrote further:
“Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:36-40).
They proved to be loyal ambassadors of a Kingdom not of this world; they envisioned it afar off. These were true patriots of the Kingdom they sought. It is what we seek each day as we prove our loyalty and obedience to God and Jesus Christ. True patriots of that coming Kingdom are willing to endure being hated, scoffed at, harassed or even put to death by the magistrates of this world. We may have opportunity to prove our loyalty to God sooner than we might think! I pray all of us have our eyes so firmly riveted on the goal of the Kingdom we can persevere through whatever hardships come our way.
27 comments:
UCG trusts in voting to select its President and Council of Elders. For UCG to condemn voting for leaders is the height of hypocrisy.
Every UCG member I know votes, including some ministers. We just do not announce it. Church leaders have no business telling us not to.
No minister has any right to tell me not to vote. Especially when the keep electing such poor representatives to the board and council if elders.
I have been voting since I was a freshman in Pasadena in 1968. Never listen to any of the loudmouths telling me not to.
What is collapsing faster? Haiti? The UCG? Bawana Bob? Pack?
How did they find a replacement for Judas? Voting? Casting lots? Consulting a witch?
Imagine giving the ‘sheep’ voting rights.
Imagine allowing them to ‘elect’, draw ballots or straws to decide who will be in office, especially in the ‘church’.
Won’t happen.
After all, it would simply endanger the income/salary of those who feel it is their ‘entitlement’.
Freedom is a dangerous word within the English vocabulary, especially in matters of faith to Armstrongism.
Imagine giving the ‘sheep’ voting rights.
Imagine allowing them to ‘elect’, draw ballots or straws to decide who will be in office, especially in the ‘church’.
Won’t happen.
After all, it would simply endanger the income/salary of those who feel it is their ‘entitlement’.
Freedom is a dangerous word within the English vocabulary, especially in matters of faith to Armstrongism.
It will be interesting to see if UCG keeps its clear Republican leaning this year, now that Scott Ashley has retired as top Editor.
In 2020, the pre-election Beyond Today had an article so pro-Republican that the bias was obvious.
Changes in federal law let UCG get away with that now. But if you're truly apolitical, it should show.
Is that a picture of George Washingon? Was he a freedom fighter or a terroist? How does he differ from Hamas? Are these churches on the side of terror? Or war? Or armed rebellion? Isn't that what Satan did? I don't get it. Why are they so patriotic if patriotism is war? Didn't Herbert say Christians are pascifists?
I have been voting since I was a freshman in Pasadena in 1968. Never listen to any of the loudmouths telling me not to.
Well BB, what about Jesus? Did he vote?
"UCG trusts in voting to select its President and Council of Elders. For UCG to condemn voting for leaders is the height of hypocrisy."
Not if we are to come out of the world. Voting in the church, which is what we are supposed to be part of, is not voting in the world, which is what we are not supposed to be part of.
I give you an F on logic.
While I agree that a Christian's primary citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, there is nothing wrong with a Christian exercising his/her rights as a citizen of the country where he/she resides. Hence, I believe that - not only is it inappropriate for ministers to tell folks not to vote - it is also inappropriate for them to tell their parishioners who or what to vote for or against. By the way, Jim Tuck is the minister who disfellowshipped me from the Worldwide Church just before HWA bit the dust (God bless him!)
Dude, I was a freshman at AC 'dena in 1966, and didn't start voting until 1992. And that's because Back in those days, I believed that the Trilateral Commission, the Bilderbergs, or some other shadow government was actually ruling the free world and it didn't matter how we voted.
BB
Millar Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix @ 4:05:00 PM PDT
Good comments there.
I hope Jim Tuck reads your post.
It would be most interesting today, to go head to head with some of ‘our’ ex ministers to see how they stand up!
Casting an eye back on some of their deliberations, many intellectual lightweights were observed.
With their theology built on straws.
I suspect many would turn down an invite to delve more deeply into BI, for example; and many other core and bedrock teachings of Armstrongism.
I used to believe the Armstrongist teaching that Christians should not vote. As a result I didn’t for roughly a span of 10 years at least. I was even penalized a couple of times for “failure to vote” but those fines were withdrawn after I objected. Then came the pandemic. In my state (Victoria, Australia) we were one of the most longest under lockdown in the world by the hypocritical, anti-Christian, Machiavellian Dan Andrews. As a result I restudied the issue and when our state election came in 11/2022 I reviewed all my options and voted for all parties/candidates that were not giving preferences to DA/Labour. I even learned later that one party that promoted itself on the platform it was against DA actually ended up giving him their votes—shows how deceitful and rigged the whole process has become! I told my church friends, who still followed the Armstrongist teachings not to vote, that I had a clear conscience—even though DA was relected with less than ~33% of the vote!—as I did not vote for that evil man. And thankfully after so many prayers to God Almighty to cut him down so I and all of us who had suffered at his hands over the last 4 years would never have to hear his voice or see his face on the media DA gave notice he was resigning a day after the Day of Atonement 2023! For me it was a tiny taste of the Jubilee alright! Hallelujah!
Also, I must add another comment to those who say that Christians shouldn’t vote for human leaders because Christ is our King. True God is Sovereign and Christ is King. But, when He returns no one will vote Him in because God has given Him the throne. So His righteous rulership will be imposed on the world not voted on by sinners. But, we as Christians must vote for righteous men and women now otherwise if we fail to do so then evil people will take their place and make evil decisions that are not good for us—and indeed this has already happened for the past several decades now, which is why the West is in such dire circumstances. I always now keep in mind Bonhoeffer’s quote when voting comes around who so wisely said: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
My dad told me years before he passed in 1998, if you do not vote, then you have no right to criticize.”. I had to agree with him. I started voting after leaving WCG in 1995.
Too many don’t seem to mind whining about things but won’t stand up to support anything good or bad. Even in their “religious beliefs “ you have no idea what they even believe.
We have a right to vote and I hope everyone will do so. Saving America from the corrupt politicians is something we need to get involved in. Trust me both sides are full of corruption.
I am not necessarily advocating for it (dont really have a strong opinion either way), but I do find the WCG ideal of nonparticipation to be somewhat refreshing in comparison to the churches that are just fronts for the parties. But as I stated recently, I'm not a fan of temporal and spiritual matters being under the same umbrella.
If you DO vote and the idiot you voted for got in, you are to blame for everything they do wrong and everyone they kill.
Yes I did vote.
And when I commented on the fact at church the following week I got roasted, for who I voted for.
They made one error, they legalised homosexual acts between men aged 18+.
And I was reminded so.
Well, so did the other side vote for this legislation.
But I voted for who I considered the best at the time, the best policies, the quality of those standing etc etc……
We had a choice, bad or worst…..to pick from.
I am still pleased with my choice in spite of some of their policies.
Homosexual law reform or not was not on my radar. Both political parties fielded openly gay candidates.
But I still voted regardless……
The only way you can avoid voting for the bad aspects of a party platform is to do a write in for "Jesus Christ".
I don't understand how a Christian could honestly vote for either candidate. Neither party has a Godly platform. So, voting for either is voting in favor of some bad.
4:40PM and 8:55PM
I have to respectfully disagree with your sentiments there. That's like saying that God who selected Saul as King over Israel should be blamed for everything wrong Saul did during his rule. It's to put the blame on someone who doesn't deserve it. Those who get elected are responsible for their own actions while in positions of authority over others and should be held accountable accordingly whether they lie, steal, molest or kill etc. This is why John Philpot Curran said, "The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt." If the people have a problem with the government it is not only their right, but duty to "alter or abolish it" as the DOI put it. This is basically why we see with each passing generation the American people reflecting the mind of a fearful slave more and more while its government grows more into a dangerous and despicable master. People are too apathetic to do anything that will actually cost them something meaningful and was all too visible during the pandemic since if you truly value something like you and your family's health, wealth and freedom you know you'll give your all to the last breath like the generation of the Founding Fathers who pledged "[their] Lives, [their] Fortunes and [their] sacred Honor" in the face of certain destitution and death. Do you think when Pilate asked the people what he should do with Jesus Christ that His disciples among the crowd were silent while the mob were shouting louder for His blood? I highly doubt it! I'm sure they would've been crying out for His release despite being in the minority. And so we should follow their righteous example in advocating for the honorable among us to positions of authority not ever more corrupt scoundrels.
I know how they are: When a republican is in office, then the country is on the right track, when a democrat is in office then Christ return is very near because the country is going down the tube. They are supposed to be apolitical, but really they are not.
No minister has any right to tell me not to vote. Especially when the keep electing such poor representatives to the board and council if elders.
Thank you--this is exactly right. The council repeatedly vote themselves back into power. Most should have long retired. They seem unable to let go of authority.
Behave.
11:08 says we need to vote because both sides (Republican and Democrat) are full of corruption.
If inaction against evil (by not voting) is sin, why should we vote then?
MANY people are not voting in elections anymore in the US and Canada, so you're criticizing believers?
Several things come to mind, 2:53.
In a way, voting is like a court of law situation in which one of the attorneys is granted permission to treat a witness as hostile, and to insist on yes and no answers. It's an intimidating trap, because many questions cannot be truthfully answered by a simple yes or no.
When we vote, we don't get to make line item vetoes. The dilemma over human life takes some interesting turns in politics. When voting for a Democrat, a Christian does not get to explain on the ballot that he's in favor of much of the candidate's platform with the exception of abortion. Or, when voting Republican, he cannot explain that he believes that all of the assault weapons badly need to be taken off the streets because of what they have done to our children. Obviously the party think tanks have developed effective rationalizations to deal with both, and we'll probably see some even parroted below to counter my comment, but most of us will immediately see that those are just human rationalizations. Most people actually hold their noses as they vote for the candidate who will do the least damage. And, then, when we see the damage that either or both sides do, no matter who is elected, it makes us sick.
There is no white knight, or hero on the ballot. The positive is the good which a candidate can bring. The negative is frequently the unforeseeable, the things that he takes away, and actually believes that by a one dot indication, he has our mandate to take away. Too often, we find ourselves saying, "Well, I certainly didn't vote for that!"
We talk a lot around here about holding leaders accountable. We point at checks and balances and how HWA had none, and the problems that caused in our lives. We live in times when the politicians have found ways around the traditional checks and balances of our system, and no amount of voting can counter that. When examples of that are pointed out, it sets off finger pointing from both sides. Each wants us to believe that their waste materials do not stink like raw, untreated sewage, it's the other guy's.
So, yeah. I see the wisdom Jesus intended in not getting involved in the world's politics. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to remain aloof like that when each new election looms as an existential threat. Truth isn't even truth any more. There's been some rebranding. It's now "your truths" and "my truths". That's supposed to get us past the fact checking. But, does it really?
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