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Religion & Politics - John C. Bieber 9.25.2009

Religion and Politics. Two things you're not supposed to talk about. Well, I like to talk and write about both. I call myself a conservative Christian. Who knows what that means to some people. Some might think I'm a crazy right-wing anti-abortion guy who clings to his gun and Bible. I do have a couple of each but I'm not crazy and I have some very liberal friends. They can tell you that I've never beat them over the head with my Christianity and I don't hunt. I have guns for personal and family protection and I have no problem with hunters, especially deer hunters. In July this year, a pedestrian deer stepped right in front of my van and smashed the grill, hood, light and damaged the radiator. $3,600.00 worth of venison damage. Around here where I live in southeastern Pennsylvania, we have many more deer than... well they are certainly not endangered.

As a Christian I believe Jesus Christ died a torturous death on the cross to pay for my sins. I believe he defeated death and rose from the grave and will return again someday. I surrendered my life to Jesus in April of 1994. I prayed for Him to come into my life and I repented of all my sins. I am the least perfect Christian. Every day is a struggle to walk with the Lord. This world is full of distractions and temptations and Satan needs Christians to fail. By the grace of God we can all be saved.

Conservatism to me means preserving the best in society and opposing liberalism. I do not believe that everyone has a right to everything. There are basic human rights and rights of American citizens recognized in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Conservatives believe in smaller government, less government interference and a free marketplace, free market forces, strong national defense and personal responsibility.

Liberalism is not bound by tradition and believes in progressivism - believing in political change and social engineering by the actions of government. Liberals take liberties with society. Generally speaking, most liberals believe they are the center of their own universe. They do not believe they are accountable to anyone, much less to God, and they can allow for an anything goes type of life. Gay and transgendered marriage – OK. Legalize prostitution and drugs – OK. Is a fetus a human life? - Well, not until 84 days are past; the end of first trimester don’t mind. Can we build a new factory to employ 1,000 people? – Well maybe if the spotted owls. I could go on but we all know the issues.

Liberalism breaks down society because to them everything is warm and fuzzy, they have no absolutes. It’s easy to be a liberal, but difficult to be conservative because conservatives live in a right or wrong, black and white world, not in a gray mushy safe middle ground. Children start out liberal. Babies, little kids are very liberal; naturally wanting to only do what they want to do, selfish and interested in bending the rules to satisfy them. Children have to be taught how to share. A lot of people grow out of being liberal. They get wisdom and put away childish things. I’m embarrassed to say I was pretty liberal before I bought a house, became a parent, and started paying lots of taxes.

I think everyone should run for some public office. School board is a real experience. My wife was on our local school board for a term before I ran and was elected. School director is a great experience and puts you in front of all the public school issues from budgets, policy, personnel, curriculum, facilities, students, parents, teacher unions and property taxes (here in PA). School board work is a crash course in all of that and more.

All politics is local. This will always be true because it all starts in the home, with your neighbors, at the school district, the township meeting, the codes office or the tax office. Probably most politicians – with the exception of the dynasty families like the Kennedys or the Bushs – started at the local level. Who knows why some continue on. Power and ego are big factors. I’ve been around many politicians and the good guys and gals are real people who will give you the time of day. The other types are the ones that should be replaced because they do not understand who they serve. Service is the key. The good politicians have a servant’s heart.

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