Why I'm ticking 'No religion' on the census

[Bravus]

http://www.bravus.com/blog/?p=2526

[Dr. Shane]

In a political sense, Adventists tend to embrace an entire different political agenda than the Religious Right does. However many people that call themselves Christians have no interest in politics whatsoever. I am not sure what purpose it serves the government to find out the religious beliefs of its individual citizens. That seems like an odd question to have on a census.

As far as Jesus being on our side... Well, the story is told that when Abraham Lincoln was asked if he believed God to be on his side, he responded by saying he was more worried about whether or not he was on God's side.

I went on my spiritual quest when I was younger and it brought me to the Seventh-day Adventist church. Every religious or philosophical belief system requires faith. Faith is what closes the gap between reasonable doubt and certainty. Adventism has answers for the big questions like where we came from, why we are here, the origin of evil and why bad things happen to good people. Adventism is a religion based on love - not fear. All its doctrines are consistent with a God of love. Its fundamental beliefs are based on the Bible which has an enormous amount of historic evidence to support it. I haven't found another religion on Earth like that.

[abelisle]

My experience after joining this forum was that I was surprised that quite a few posters were so diehard conservative and wholeheartedly embraced the agenda of the Religious Right. And most Christians who I know have very active interests in politics - even to the extent of believing a lot of the conspiracy theory stuff out there.

Alex

[Bravus]

As far as Jesus being on our side... Well, the story is told that when Abraham Lincoln was asked if he believed God to be on his side, he responded by saying he was more worried about whether or not he was on God's side.

Yeah, I don't think I actually said Jesus was on my side, just that I suspected he and I would be on the same side on many of the issues, but I agree that this is a much better way of saying it.

[Dr. Shane]

My experience after joining this forum was that I was surprised that quite a few posters were so diehard conservative and wholeheartedly embraced the agenda of the Religious Right.

[BobRyan]

My experience after joining this forum was that I was surprised that quite a few posters were so diehard conservative and wholeheartedly embraced the agenda of the Religious Right. And most Christians who I know have very active interests in politics - even to the extent of believing a lot of the conspiracy theory stuff out there.

Alex

Ellen White joined with the religious right in promoting the constitutional ammendment to ban the sale of alcohol.

If you want to start a thread on the promotion of abortion and gay marriage - go ahead and do it Alex. No one is banning you from discussing those Bible topics on this forum.

in Christ,

Bob

[abelisle]

Bob,

What gave you the idea that I want to discuss abortion and gay marriage??? Is this wishful thinking on your part? Are you confusing me with another Alex?

I sure hope you aren't saying what you said with malicious intent? If so, this is a dangerous and very unethical precedent.

Alex

[BobRyan]

My experience after joining this forum was that I was surprised that quite a few posters were so diehard conservative and wholeheartedly embraced the agenda of the Religious Right. Alex

[abelisle]

I'm still befuddled Bob. What is your meaning by saying, "Will the real Alex - please stand up"?

[Dr. Shane]

I still can't get over that Australia asks for religious identification on its census. Is that new? Do any other "secular" countries do that?

[Amelia]

Here in the U.S. the census was taken not too long ago. And for the life of me I can't remember if religion was on the form. LOL

[teresaq]

All I can say is, I feel for you, Alex. Been there, done that.

Its along the lines of making the observation that only the president can veto bills and getting the response, You're not supporting so-and-so congressperson.

Originally Posted By: abelisle

My experience after joining this forum was that I was surprised that quite a few posters were so diehard conservative and wholeheartedly embraced the agenda of the Religious Right. And most Christians who I know have very active interests in politics - even to the extent of believing a lot of the conspiracy theory stuff out there.

Alex

If you want to start a thread on the promotion of abortion and gay marriage - go ahead and do it Alex. No one is banning you from discussing those Bible topics on this forum.

in Christ,

Bob

[teresaq]

Originally Posted By: abelisle

My experience after joining this forum was that I was surprised that quite a few posters were so diehard conservative and wholeheartedly embraced the agenda of the Religious Right.

I think most of the Adventist membership in the US is much more politically conservative than the leadership is. ....many members get their political information from other Christian sources. ....

With this I agree.

[BobRyan]

I'm still befuddled Bob. What is your meaning by saying, "Will the real Alex - please stand up"?

At first you say that the board has conservatives - arguing in favor of politically conservative topics .. .points of view.

I simply point to a list of current topics conservatives discuss - that have application to well known conservative points of view - saying that you are free to open a thread on any of those topics if you wish.. and suddenly you along with Teresa are shocked - that topics on which conservatives are known to have a "point of view" might even be mentioned in response to your "conservatives are posting" on politically conervative points of view...

Are you simply gaming the point?? If you do not want to mention any conservative topics by name - you don't have to - but you are the one that first pointed out the issue with conservative points of view.

in Christ,

Bob

[LifeHiscost]

In a political sense, Adventists tend to embrace an entire different political agenda than the Religious Right does. However many people that call themselves Christians have no interest in politics whatsoever. I am not sure what purpose it serves the government to find out the religious beliefs of its individual citizens. That seems like an odd question to have on a census.

As far as Jesus being on our side... Well, the story is told that when Abraham Lincoln was asked if he believed God to be on his side, he responded by saying he was more worried about whether or not he was on God's side.

I went on my spiritual quest when I was younger and it brought me to the Seventh-day Adventist church. Every religious or philosophical belief system requires faith. Faith is what closes the gap between reasonable doubt and certainty. Adventism has answers for the big questions like where we came from, why we are here, the origin of evil and why bad things happen to good people. Adventism is a religion based on love - not fear. All its doctrines are consistent with a God of love. Its fundamental beliefs are based on the Bible which has an enormous amount of historic evidence to support it. I haven't found another religion on Earth like that.

Not to mention that Jesus grave is empty and angels as well as men attested to His resurrection.

God blesses!

[Dr. Shane]

Here in the U.S. the census was taken not too long ago. And for the life of me I can't remember if religion was on the form. LOL

My wife filled ours out in 2000 and 2010 so I never saw the form. However a friend of mine is a civics professor and I asked him today after reading this thread. He told me he had never heard of that being asked and that perhaps Australia is trying to asses its Muslim population.

[abelisle]

Please Bob,

Stop spinning this. Nowhere did I mention that I wanted to start any topics at all in this thread. I simply stated my surprise at how many ultra-conservatives there were in this forum.

It seems that you are trying to bait me into having some sort of argument with you. I respectfully decline. You have obviously missed my point. I have no desire to debate either liberal or conservative issues in this thread. Please stop trying to initiate such a conflict.

If your sense of personal Christianity is to twist other people's points to gain an upperhand in any ideological dialogue, then the Christ you worship isn't the Christ that I want to worship.

Alex

[teresaq]

It's that form of dyslexia. That is the kindest way to account for it...unless it really is just pure slander.

"Please do try to at least address the arguments I'm presenting, rather than something you're projecting onto them."

Originally Posted By: abelisle

I'm still befuddled Bob. What is your meaning by saying, "Will the real Alex - please stand up"?

At first you say that the board has conservatives - arguing in favor of politically conservative topics .. .points of view.

I simply point to a list of current topics conservatives discuss - that have application to well known conservative points of view - saying that you are free to open a thread on any of those topics if you wish.. and suddenly you along with Teresa are shocked -

[LifeHiscost]

Are you simply gaming the point?? If you do not want to mention any conservative topics by name - you don't have to - but you are the one that first pointed out the issue with conservative points of view.

in Christ,

Bob

As to coming out swinging____

"Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble."Psalm 119:165 AMP

God blesses!

[teresaq]

I like that to. With your permission I will be using it. I don't think "they" get it. I think it is so enbedded in them, and others are used to it--or its ok if you are on the wrong side, real or imaginary--that I don't see any change happening any time soon. But, hey we do have a mighty God. Perhaps prayer will soften the hardened heart.

...

If your sense of personal Christianity is to twist other people's points to gain an upperhand in any ideological dialogue, then the Christ you worship isn't the Christ that I want to worship.

Alex

[Bravus]

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/46d1bc47ac9d0c7bca256c470025ff87/bfdda1ca506d6cfaca2570de0014496e!OpenDocument

Quote:

A question on religious affiliation has been asked in every census taken in Australia, with the voluntary nature of this question having been specifically stated since 1933. In 1971 the instruction 'if no religion, write none' was introduced. This saw a seven-fold increase from the previous census year in the percentage of persons stating they had no religion. Since 1971 this percentage has progressively increased to about 16% in 1996 and 2001.

[Dr. Shane]

Wow! That is scary. I certainly wouldn't answer anything if it was only optional. The government doesn't need to know my religion.

[John317]

I don't care whether other Christians or other SDAs are conservative or liberal or anything in between. It doesn't matter. What matters is that whatever their belief, they don't hold it against people for having a political view that is different from their own. If political discussions or political differences cause SDAs to be disunited and unable to come together in fellowship over the doctrines of the Bible, then I believe they should stop talking about their political differences until they can do it without being disagreeable.

[LifeHiscost]

#466799 - 09/08/2011

God blesses!

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: Shane

As far as Jesus being on our side... Well, the story is told that when Abraham Lincoln was asked if he believed God to be on his side, he responded by saying he was more worried about whether or not he was on God's side.

Yeah, I don't think I actually said Jesus was on my side, just that I suspected he and I would be on the same side on many of the issues, but I agree that this is a much better way of saying it.

There is usually more to unbelief than the difficulty of understanding. If that were not true, then neither would this be true.

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."Matthew 18:3 KJV

God blesses!