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November 3rd, 2012
09:00 PM ET
My Take: On Election Day, proclaiming my loyalty to Jesus
By Mark Schloneger, Special to CNN It seems frivolous, even foolish. On Tuesday, as the world turns its attention to who will occupy the most powerful office of the world’s most powerful nation, hundreds of churches will gather across the United States to worship a servant. As votes are counted to elect a president, thousands of Christians will take the bread and the cup to remember their crucified Lord. As winners are projected and the electoral map is updated, Christians of many denominations will sing their praises and proclaim their loyalty to Jesus. It seems ridiculous, even silly.
After all, America is at a crossroads, and we are in the midst of one of the most critical presidential elections of our lifetimes. We know this because people have recited this same tired mantra before every presidential election. How the White House changed Barack Obama’s faith Our fears, our hopes, our worries and our struggles are the currency that buys our votes. And how do politicians and their supporters acquire this precious currency? They invest billions of dollars to foment fear, inspire hope, create worry and exploit our struggles. It’s a power play. Some of us are pawns, and some of us are participants. But some of us are choosing a different part. I initiated the Election Day Communion Campaign out of a concern that Christians in the United States are being shaped more by the tactics and ideologies of political parties than by our identity and unity in Christ. Out of this concern, a simple vision sparked the imaginations of congregations nationwide: the church being the church on Election Day, gathering at the Lord’s Table to remember, to give thanks for, and to proclaim its loyalty to Jesus. The making of a candidate: Mitt Romney’s faith journey Gathering for Communion on Election Day seems fitting, for the practice of Communion is an inherently political act. It is both a pledge of allegiance to Jesus and a declaration of independence from all other powers making claims on our bodies, minds and souls. Far too often, the church has abandoned its first love for the siren song of political parties promising protection, prosperity and peace. Far too many times, the church has ceded the practice of its faith to the spiritual and the private while leaving others to address matters of justice. And far too frequently, the church has attempted to speak truth to power while seeking and relying on that same power for protection. The bread and the cup are God’s antidotes to our fickle memories. As we eat and drink together, we remember that all things fall under the lordship of Christ. We remember our sin and need to repent. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories We remember that God has lifted up the humble, filled the hungry with good things, and chosen to reveal God’s strength through our weakness. We remember that the only Christian nation in this world is the church, the holy nation that transcends all human-made walls, boundaries and borders. As we gather at the table, we remember that the power to redeem, to save, and to transform comes not from atop the seat of power but from within the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Follow the CNN Belief Blog on Twitter We will gather for Election Day Communion not because we think that the issues at stake in this election are unimportant or that our votes don’t really matter. No, we will gather for Communion because we think that the issues at stake in all elections are far too important to be relegated to our votes alone. The Lord’s Supper reminds followers of Jesus to practice the politics of Jesus. To me, practicing the politics of Jesus means working to protect the sanctity of all human life, whether it is found in the womb, in prison, or in countries at war against us. It means choosing the way of forgiveness and reconciliation rather than vengeance and violence. It means practicing an economy based on generosity and mutual aid. It means offering care and compassion to suffering people regardless of their immigration status, economic class or religious practice. It means being good stewards of God’s good creation. And, most of all, it means allowing God’s kingdom to break into the entirety of our lives, from the privacy of our homes to the politics we practice in public. The bread and the cup keep calling me back to the table inscribed with memory. There, I remember God’s choice for the transfer of power. There, I remember where to go with my fears, my hopes, my worries and my struggles. At the table, with my sisters and brothers, I am in the presence of the Holy. Though I’m interested in the outcome of the presidential election, I won’t be watching the projected results as they are announced. I’ve made a prior commitment. I intend to honor it. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Mark Schloneger. soundoff (3,435 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 Next »
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  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: Mark Schloneger is pastor of North Goshen Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana.
What is religion, if you do not have any idea what is religion you will not be able to put it in right pespective, true religion is the care for fatherless, and widows, hurting and suffering and have pure heart with God, now if everyone did that, you will not need government to do so much for the, pure religion will teach people that family is important, since you need to strong nation you need strong families. you cannot get ride of it, its has its place, government grows when Sin grows
Making money
When Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler, he began by reminding him of the commandments.
According to Mark, these included, ‘Do not defraud’ (Mark 10:19, from Lev. 19:13a).
This summarizes a number of laws of Moses, e.g. not to withhold a labourer’s wages (Lev.
19:13b, Deut. 24:14−15), use false weights and measures (Lev. 19:35−36, Deut. 25:13−16),
or sell land above its value (Lev. 25:14−17). James spoke against withholding wages (Jas.
5:1−6).
The commandment ‘Do not defraud’ thus outlaws a variety of business practices:
underpaying suppliers, overcharging customers, exploiting workers, mislabelling goods, and
so on. It also outlaws a variety of working practices: demanding excessive pay (cf. Luke
3:14), wasting time, feigning illness, helping oneself to perks, etc.
Thus, a Christian is to make money honestly, ‘working with his own hands what is good’
(Eph. 4:28).
It's amusing how people quote the bible as if it were non-fiction.
Dana I prayed for you on the off chance that Jesus might be real and not fiction. I have faith you will find him before you die. I love you for being who you are. Amen!
If Jesus could vote....he'd probably vote for Obama. He was all about helping the 47%.....those who needed him most.
It's interesting, to me, that so many so-called Christians say they follow Jesus, yet seem to conveniently forget that part of his teachings.
Why do adults still believe in God? They have long given up other childhood fantasies. They no longer believe in the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Boogie Man, Unicorns, etc., but still hang onto the mythical fantasy make-believe god? Why???????? ...... Everyone really knows that god is imaginary! ........ http://www.GodIsImaginary.com (visit that website and learn the truth).
............ http://www.GodIsImaginary.com
Your such an idiot, I feel sorry for you.
Thank You for writing something that makes sense. The greatest work of fiction is The Bible and the greatest myth is God. Its nice to have something to believe in when all else fails but should you not keep your feet grounded or hinder advancement of our race.
It's because the church threatens them with eternal damnation. That keeps the weak-minded people coming back.
Dana I keep going back because I have to plan how I am going to help the poor and elderly and homeless. That's where my group meets. And I give reference to Jesus there. Damnation is between God and the individual. I won't judge you if you don't judge me. I love you Dana! Amen!
Good, you idiots meet on election day so none of you dark age yahoos vote for Romney.
For Realist who keeps posting the link to godisimaginary.com: http://www.gotquestions.org/is-God-imaginary.html
Religion has no place in politics. Plain and simple!
But since it is , we must make sure that we defeat the worst most bigotted intolerant Fundamentalists are DEFEATED, Always.
While the underlying points that bring this man to his thesis are true, that politicians certainly do tug on our straps of fear and induce worry only in their efforts of power-play, his notion that a society should invoke a mythical man as a conveyor of true leadership is laughable at best but dangerous at worst. This post is not a lengthy enough forum – or the best one – to point out that the divine character of Jesus is a syncretization of numerous deities throughout antiquity. I could point to Horus, Mithra, Bel, Attis, and Prometheus to start, but, again, this isn't the forum nor is it my point. What is necessary to understand here, and wherein lies the danger, is the invocation of a god to be your guide, to make things right. This is the same tired mentality used throughout history by those who were truly powerless. The difference between then and now is that it was completely understandable when a man or woman was in shackles and bonds, sold as chattel, or when a fiefdom used god-given rights over the mortal vessels of a man's wife that such a mentality was pervasive. Speaking out or asking for change meant the sharp end of a lash, or even worse: it could mean death. When a people had no recourse to remove from power a despot or a tyrant they turned, naturally, to a higher power. It was their only recourse for feeling somewhat good about their lot in life. Today is different and the author of the article would do best to remember that any political change is our right as a collective, as citizenry; it is our responsibility to gather in order to effect any desired change through the collection of thoughts and ides, through dialectic, and ultimately by casting our vote. It is a slap in the face to those who toiled in the fields of a plantation, or on the lands of lord without any hope of change or personal power to speak against the structure of that society. Gathering at a table is best left to enjoy one's meal. My suggestion, dear author, is to gather the community, debate your points, and then vote.
That's OK, as long as they find the home planet Lord Xenu (or Tom Cruise) banished us from 75 million years ago.
I am a democrat and a catholic. I will vote for Romney only because of Obamacare and its impact on my faith. You have crossed the line...! You take my money, now my faith. what's next ? my wife ?
You're a smart man! Obo is NOT a Christian and if you remember his Cairo speech "America is not a Christian nation"!
As a Catholic can I assume you are a right to lifer? If life is so sacred to you, haw can you be against Obamacare, that has the potential of saving lives for people who otherwise might not have access to life saving medicine?
Jack, you rube, why are voting with religious motivations? That is exactly what our founders did not want!
Jack17, hate to tell you this but you are not a christian or a democrat, you are a hypocrite.
It is really scary that in this day and age, most Americans believe in nonsense like Jesus, and therefore our political process is being shaped by nonsense to a large degree.
It's sad but true. The only real choice is Gary Johnson.
Jeff, to believe that Christians are silly to believe in God – that is real irony coming from a group that holds to the belief that matter always existed, and it came from the tooth fairy. read a little and find out what you really hold to be true. I take faith on the perfection of creation in spite of the laws of physics – athies believe in fairy tales of matters creation and are still looking for the origin.
Flunked science, did we?
Woops, got posted in the wrong spot after my mouse went briefly dead. It's come back – a miracle!
Welcome back to gods 365!
Tomorrow November 5 we shall worship the Aztec god:
Xipe Totec – Our Lord of the Flayed One
God of suffering and diseases and goldsmiths. His worship required the flaying of a slave and the wearing of his skin.
I put my trust in Jesus to unclog my toilet. After three days, the plunger did it better. Praise the Plunger!
Sounds like something Heaven Sent would do, leave the toilet plugged and crap in the cat litter box.
A guy named Jesus put my new carpet in.
Ok people. All of this trivial arguing is giving me a god-ache. Just stop it and try to be civil to each other. First, all of you science folks who think you know better, step away from your microscopes and telescopes long enough to help out a neighbor in need. The bacteria and supernovas aren't going anywhere. Second, all of you ultra religious need to be nice to the people who think they know better and throw an arm around them and maybe hear them out for a while. In a nutshell, be nice or else.
god – you are so contradictory.
Dear God,
Please note that the scientists at their microscopes have created modern society as we know it. No more fear of dying from a simple infection or appendicitis, the ability to feed billions... (add hundreds of examples here that show that science is the only reason your stupid followers aren't living short, miserable lives).
You're right Malcolm, thank God believers and and non believers can work together to eradicate disease. What an incredible world it would be if we all worked so well together instead of calling each other names. I love you Malcom.Amen!
So, all of you super-honest, highly consistent theists out there:
Instead of just calling atheists elitist, hypocritical, and arrogant, How about you first look up those definitions and then give us a bunch of examples?
Remember: It's YOU who believe that the entire universe was created just for YOU, by a father-figure that loves YOU personally above all else. All of course based on the ideas of people who thought the earth was flat and that the stars were bits of glitter in giant glass spheres.
Actually Malcolm the Universe was created as a gift to all, we individually just happen to be part of the package. I appreciate the gift and you Malcolm. God loves you as much as he loves me. Amen!
Drugs make it all better...
I will pray you don't abuse them. My hugs go out to you! Amen
Malcom, remember when you were 8 and you kept wetting the bed a night and you asked me for some help? It's my turn to have you return the favor. Stop being so angry and hateful. I don't mind if you say you don't have faith but your vile behavior must end or the bed wetting will return.
Mark, did that all happen 6,000 years ago with the wave of a wand or something?
I don't know exactly how it happened Dana. I will someday though. I love you Dana you seem very nice. God Bless you I will pray for you when I finish this post. I try and seek His wisdom, and have found it to what makes me love others as Christ loves others. Amen!
Yes indeed. Much more intelligent to believe that without any outside help or information that it rained on rocks for billions of years making soup, the soup decided to erect DNA, ad infinitum ad nauseum. Yep, that makes much more sense than an intelligent designer.
"decided to erect DNA". Wow. There is a huge body of research on this. Read a book or two if you can.
Ah, flunked science, did we?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHbYJfwFgOU
Life is really not that difficult to create. It will thrive anywhere that has the right conditions. I don't know why you can't let go of these primitive myths.
Dana look at Bill Nye's reverent hand to God and his respectful stare;) Love you Dana! Amen
Looks more like he's getting ready to give God a good smack up side of the head.
Jesus tells me to love Atheist and people who mock me. So, therefore I do. I ponder though do Atheist love me? In the answer you will find God's love!
The truth shall set you free .. and that truth is believers love others less than others. Look at your history & look around you now, even just in this blog alone. Remember, lying is a sin & that's exactly what you're doing .. even if you're just lying to yourself.
Wait horses suddenly you are all knowing. I love you horses because Jesus loves you and he is actually all knowing.
Jesus doesn't tell you to love. Some dude with a pen wrote a novel that had a character that said that. But its good you love none the less.
Just so we're clear, I dont love you. But when you come into my clinic, I will treat you. I could leave it up to god, but I choose something that is real and works.
In other words, nobody loves you.
Thank you Sane Person for utilizing God's gift of wisdom, intelligence, and love to cure people. Dana if nobody loved me I would still love them. As Jesus does based upon the responses here, He loves you all despite your lack of love for Him. What an attribute. Amen
Yaweh on the beltway .. no way!!
It must be make-believe day again.
I think it is laundry day. Brains are being washed.