Aussie Mark
Member
Looking on from an outsider's viewpoint and living in a country where there is a clear distinction between church, state & judiciary, it often perplexing to understand what goes on in the US.
In Australia there is no link between being a Christian and who you vote for. Sure a lot of Christians might vote for a conservative party (Liberal/National Party) but then a lot may and do also vote for the the more progressive (left of centre) alternative (and current government) Labor Party. In the USA it seems that if you are Christian then you should/must vote Republican. As if voting Democrat somehow means you have sold your soul to the devil.
It should be noted at this point that in Australia voting is compulsory, once on the electoral roll, any failure to attend a polling station for an election (Federal, State or Local government) means being fined (subject to reasonable excuses).
Also, what is with "God Bless America"? Does any politician who says this truly believe this or is this a throwaway line like "have a nice day" just after you have received the worst customer service? Can I get some confirmation, or otherwise, that the USA is not some last bastion of the Christian faith, some New World Jersusalem?
While I would not usually question someone's faith or lack thereof, how can anyone believe that Donald Trump is a Christian? To publically and deliberately peddle untruths and divisions for political gain does not speak of the fruits of the spirit. When Jerushah Dufford, granddaughter of Billy Graham urges Christians not to vote for Trump in 2020, it made me think that many Christians are voting for the GOP because of their faith rather than looking at the man (candidate) himself and what he stands for. So, how can Trump stand in front of a church, Bible in hand and say "God Bless America"?
In Australia there is no link between being a Christian and who you vote for. Sure a lot of Christians might vote for a conservative party (Liberal/National Party) but then a lot may and do also vote for the the more progressive (left of centre) alternative (and current government) Labor Party. In the USA it seems that if you are Christian then you should/must vote Republican. As if voting Democrat somehow means you have sold your soul to the devil.
It should be noted at this point that in Australia voting is compulsory, once on the electoral roll, any failure to attend a polling station for an election (Federal, State or Local government) means being fined (subject to reasonable excuses).
Also, what is with "God Bless America"? Does any politician who says this truly believe this or is this a throwaway line like "have a nice day" just after you have received the worst customer service? Can I get some confirmation, or otherwise, that the USA is not some last bastion of the Christian faith, some New World Jersusalem?
While I would not usually question someone's faith or lack thereof, how can anyone believe that Donald Trump is a Christian? To publically and deliberately peddle untruths and divisions for political gain does not speak of the fruits of the spirit. When Jerushah Dufford, granddaughter of Billy Graham urges Christians not to vote for Trump in 2020, it made me think that many Christians are voting for the GOP because of their faith rather than looking at the man (candidate) himself and what he stands for. So, how can Trump stand in front of a church, Bible in hand and say "God Bless America"?