The Evangelical Manifesto: What It Means

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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
When Christians make a manifesto for the government, are they obeying or disobeying this constitutional amendment which is a law of this country. As someone who will not be a Christian because of my belief in One God instead of three, I don't want this kind of propaganda in the government. I would prefer Congress to vote by what their constituents want. Congress should be following what the people who voted them into office want from them, not what evangelical propaganda tells them to do. This is very disrespectful of the Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and other religions that exist in the United States. Christianity may be the majority religion in the United States but needs to remember it's not the only one or necessarily the correct one for everyone.
I don't enjoy when the Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons come knocking on my door, so why would I want to see the same being done to someone I voted for to represent me.
Leave religion where it belongs, out of the government like the forefathers intended.

Caitlyn B of CA 11:01AM June 19, 2008

When Civics classes we done away with the children were no longer taught that religion belongs in the home and church and not in the White House or Congress.
It's pass time to return to the Constitution our Forefathers wrote after they forcefully defeated those that would try to force their own beliefs on others.

Jim Dandy of CA 4:00AM May 30, 2008

here is the rub: the proliferation of ignorant and arrogant christians, who know nothing of church history or the hard fought battles of the past. ever read about the Scottish Covenanters? what about the French Huguenots? Blood was spilled defending spiritual and political freedom. Nowadays for all the talk about faith and such, many Christians seem more afraid of dying than ever. acquiescence is the new approach.
Os G was once a bit more stalwart, now Evangelical means BOHICA.

calvin lover of WA 4:30PM May 19, 2008

We can compare social responsibility all day long, but here's the rub: There is NO mention in either the Manifesto or the Study Guide of what the Bible says about: where faith in Christ comes from (Ro 10:17; Eph 2:8-9); the cost of discipleship (2Co 5:15; Mt 16:24); the expectations of the fruit of the spirit in changing personal behavior as expressed as the process of sanctification (2 Pe 1:5-12); that all of the law is found in loving God and your neighbor (De 6:5; Lev 19:18; Mt 22:39-40); the definitions of loving God and neighbor (Jn 4:24; Mt 25:34-46; Mt 5:43-47; Lk 10:36-37; cf. Ja 1:22; Ro 2:13; Mt 7:12); the personal relationship that Christ desires (Mt 12:50; Jn 14:15, 21, 15:15; Ga 4:15); and the several expressions of spiritual disciplines that help Christians spend time with Christ in order to build a relationship with Him: confess faith in Christ: Ro 10:9-10; confess sins: 1Jn 1:8-10; repent of sins: Lk 15:7, Jn 9:31; Ps 66:18; Pr 15:29); one-time baptism: Mat 28:19-20; the Lord's Supper: 1Co 11:24-26; prayer: Php 4:6; reading the Bible: De 17:19; studying the Bible: Deu 6:6-7; 2Ti 2:15; thanksgiving and praise: Ps 100:4; worship: Jn 4:23-24; tithing: Lk 11:42; give alms: Lk 12:33-34; personal sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom of God: 2Co 5:15; serving others: 1Pe 4:10; fasting: Mat 6:16-18. // Every Christian in the world has a responsibility to personally incorporate in his or her own personal, interpersonal, and social life, practical application of the Word of God. Sadly, the "manifesto" certainly doesn't point out where to find the answer to their question.

trb01 of VA 2:04AM May 18, 2008

I haven't yet read the whole manifesto, but I have a feeling it is an attempt by some protestant church people to get ready for (and try to prevent) a massive loss by the Republicans they DUMBLY supported in last two presidential elections. They teamed up God with gun rights, anti-family-planning, anti-gay stuff and they got embarrasing tax cuts for the wealthiest, unpaid-for wars, education policy for test-makers, denial of global warming, and the FOURTH and FIFTH Catholic (and corporate guys to boot) put on the Supreme Court for life. Now they're ashamed of what they wrought and they ought to be.
Manifesto? Now, after so much damage from their previous political "help"? From evangelicals? From followers of those "pastors" with the big self-promoted independent-denomination churches built on ego? The only manifesto they ever were to follow in the name of Christ was "Love your Neighbor as you love yourself." And, frankly they muffed that one. Takes a lot of nerve to now write 19 pages of something else to spin upon the public.
Don't get me wrong. I love and trust Jesus. I don't love churches nearly as much, and I don't trust a "manifesto" at all. Buyer beware.

Daniel David of NM 12:15PM May 16, 2008

This kind of politicking by church people is pretty common. The leaders did the same thing every election time at my former church, The Church on the Way, Jack Hayford's church. He was usually careful, but many of the other pastors on staff there weren't. I was there when one of them actually publicly stated from the platform during a service that he didn't see how anyone could call themself a Christian and be a Democrat! People were upset and some even got up and left the service. Wednesday Night prayer meetings were more of a political campaign than a spiritual gathering. Prayers were invoked for certain politicians in the running but not for others. I was there the night we were all told to hold hands across the aisles to pray for all those in the running, but when we did the pastor asked God to let so-in-so win. That was the night I walked out. I was disgusted at being manipulated and lied to to make me pray for a certain candidate to win! It was pretty obvious the Powers in charge were Republican and felt we all should be too.

leesa24 of AZ 5:08PM May 15, 2008

An agenda, not a Manifesto. Trying to pretend it is what it isn't. Typical. Reminds me of the fiasco surrounding the much-hoopla’d Spirit Filled Life Bible and the back peddling spin accompanying the embarrassing disclosure of exactly WHO had been the theologian assigned as its Old Testament editor. Turns out Dr. Judy Brown got 30 years in prison for Attempted Murder when caught for the botched bludgeoning of her lesbian lover's husband.

Frea of CA 5:04PM May 15, 2008

I agree evangelicals have been hijacked by politics. I also believe evangelicals have gotten too entangled in theater. I see too many Christians acting like two-faced theater characters; one time with the image of Christianity and another with the deception of the devil. This inconsistency alienates people from Christianity because the two-faced behavior is more a characteristic of NAZI Germans, white segregation, and other elitist behavior. Remember Hitler had the best theater arts. It is like Christians got sold a new image and they wear these two faces like the Emperor’s New Clothes.
As a result of this behavior when encountering a Christian I ask: Does this person who claims to be a Christian act with two-faced deception like a wolf in a sheep’s clothing or do they stand and act like Jesus when people wanted to stone Mary Magdalene?
I believe if Christians would stop taking deceptive theater/political acts to the work place and streets and once again consistently act with the kindness of Jesus, society would change for the better. Christians would gain respect, there would be less civil unrest in America, there would be better communities, and probably even fewer abortions. Until then society continues to grow distrustful of all Christians.
America needs a strong sign from Christians as a whole unit, a public recognition that their two-faced deceptive actions had caused harm to many and that they are going to implement an awareness program to help prevent harm like that from happening again. Something like the Catholic Church did in response to the sexual abuse harm. A manifesto is a good first step.

Lou of OH 8:30AM May 15, 2008