Archive for the 'America' Category
It’s A Simple Decision: One Candidate Supports Partial-Birth Abortion
In every election, abortion remains at the center of my decision making. It’s a moral issue and it’s a constitutional one. The Bible and our Constitution undeniably prioritize the value of human life.
While I never endorse candidates, I could never support a candidate who advocates taking the life of a child, and in Hillary Clinton we have a candidate who not only calls for the continuation of abortion, but also defends late-term abortion, the most barbaric form of abortion.
“I want a Supreme Court that will stick with Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose… Now, Donald has put forth the names of some people that he would consider. And among the ones that he has suggested are people who would reverse Roe v. Wade… I think that would be a terrible mistake and would take us backwards,” said Sec. Clinton in the second presidential debate.
In the third debate, just three weeks shy of Election Day, Sec. Clinton was even more forthright about her position on abortion: “I will defend Planned Parenthood. I will defend Roe v. Wade…. We have come too far to have that turn back now.”
When moderator Chris Wallace pressed Sec. Clinton for specific answers on her position on late-term abortion Clinton remained unwavering in her opinion that late-term abortions were permissible. Clinton even famously voted against a ban on partial-birth abortion. It was the Supreme Court which eventually banned this unconscionable procedure in Gonzales vs. Carhart.
Just stop and think about this for a moment: Sec. Hillary Clinton has made it one hundred percent clear she intends on promoting abortion, using taxpayer dollars to do so, and has even been an unwavering supporter of partial-birth abortion. Of the bipartisan Hyde Amendment, which presently bans the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortion, Sec. Clinton couldn’t have been clearer, “I think we should do everything we can to repeal the Hyde Amendment.”
For many evangelical Christians this position alone disqualifies her for office. It’s just that simple. Every abortion procedure is designed to end life.
Sec. Clinton has said that seeking to change abortion in America “would be a terrible mistake and would take us backward.” In the final presidential debate, she added, “We have come too far to have that turn back now.”
Yet I’d like to ask: when a doctor can insert a vacuum into a woman’s uterus and aspirate out a fetus or inject a drug that stops a baby’s heart and proceed to tear him or her apart, piece by piece, with forceps, is this not reflective of a society who is heading backward instead of forward?
This is also an especially critical moment for this issue.
Just last week the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a California law that would require crisis pregnancy centers to promote abortion. This decision is, as Dr. James Dobson has noted, a flagrant violation of the “constitutionally mandated rights to life and to religious freedom.”
Dr. Dobson went even further, “I have a simple word of advice to those pastors, priests and others who run California’s crisis pregnancy centers. If California attempts to enforce this law then do not comply. Make them put you in jail.”
I join with Dr. Dobson and millions of evangelicals who believe that life matters from the womb to the tomb. As a Christian, it’s my moral responsibility to use whatever influence I have, including my vote as a U.S. citizen, to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, to ensure justice for those being crushed.” (Proverbs 31:8)
As I have stated before, I do not vote for candidates or even political parties—I vote for policies. In this complicated election, with all its scandals and revelations, the most important issues should determine our decision on November 8.
I believe abortion remains one of those issues that matters most, and I will not give my vote to a candidate who would allow a doctor to kill a nearly born baby.
This article was originally published by Newsmax on October 28, 2016.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Fighting the Religious Straw Men of the Moral Majority and the Religious Right
As a local church pastor and leader, I stand amazed, but also burdened over the ongoing attacks that are aimed at what I call “religious straw men.” The term “fighting a straw man” is used when one states a belief in an exaggerated way and then destroys it. Usually someone is attacking the belief and practice of another person, but doing so by creating a different reality of what actually occurred.
These imaginable characters receiving the artillery fire are often referred to as “the religious right” and “moral majority.” The scorn for some of these patriots of the past, who were truly a part of a dynamic movement in America, demonstrates an immaturity and discredits those who make their pseudo-political attacks. Some of these same leaders that influenced America positively also led the largest Protestant denomination in the United States to stop drifting left theologically by returning to a deep belief in the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture. How soon we forget.
In this political season, accusations are often bizarre and at times outrageous. What is beyond sad is these attacks are being made by professing Christ-followers upon their brothers and sisters in Christ. Unfortunately, believers are also attacking those who do not believe in Christ. Perhaps Christians forget that people who are not Christ-followers often have a different belief system that leads them to act like they do not know Jesus Christ personally. Regrettably, the attacks are mostly over the political challenges of our day.
It is not my goal to pick a fight or point a finger at anyone. I love everyone. My goal is to share truth, nothing else. It grieves me when I sense that generations are being influenced negatively. I ask you to consider these misconceptions.
Misconception #1: The “religious right” and “the moral majority” are alive and thriving
I have recently heard the “religious right” and “moral majority” mentioned. I suppose these terms are referring to the men who formed the religious right and moral majority in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
Along with some even younger than me, I have been categorized as being part of the religious right and moral majority. This is ridiculous. These movements do not even exist today as they did in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. In the highest moment of these movements, I was a seminary student trying to figure out Greek, Hebrew, and Archeology. I was not engaged in American politics.
For the record: I applaud and am thankful for those who were an active part of the religious right and the moral majority, who loved God supremely and America secondarily. I honor those who have passed and those who are still with us today.
Hands down, I prefer their effectiveness and influence over the voices of those who attack their vigilance and love for the Lord supremely and America secondarily. I personally knew some of these men, and I can assure you, they never held America above the Kingdom of God. Anyone who believes they did is misinformed.
Misconception #2: The Gospel is being jeopardized and its testimony hurt
The political persuasions and actions of today are not jeopardizing the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the power of God to those who believe. It always has been powerful and still is today. Nothing can jeopardize the gospel. The gospel is God’s gospel and it is the eternal good news to all persons in the world.
The testimony of the gospel is serious business. One’s involvement in the political world today does not bring harm to the gospel. We are called by Jesus to be the salt and the light in this darkness. We should do so both wisely and courageously. God will use this kind of testimony.
This I do know: we live in a sinful world. The gospel is the only answer, not politics. Yet, we must still engage and operate in this sinful political climate and in this evil world. Our hope should never be in a politician or a party, but only in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Misconception #3: You must compromise if you vote in this presidential election
According to research, most Americans don’t like their choices. Yet, they are our choices. Therefore, one of only two candidates will be elected as our nation’s next leader. God is Sovereign. Trust Him. Pray. Vote. By the way, voting for a 3rd party candidate or writing in a name will only contribute to the one person whom you may not want for President.
Furthermore, there are numerous local elections occurring on November 8. Do not minimize the importance of the day. Don’t criticize those who choose to participate in the political process and who still believe that “We The People” determine our future as a nation.
In brevity, this entire election cannot be changed and is inescapable. It will set the course for the future and freedom of America. We the people need to show up en masse, acting upon biblical convictions to cast our vote for every election occurring on November 8.
Ignore the Voices of Those Who Continue Their Pseudo-Political Attacks
In this noisy world, ignore the voices of those who may continue their pseudo-political attacks. Punching their straw men may gain you a retweet or two, possibly more from the left or from your personal fan base. But it reveals an immaturity in the understanding of the real issues before us in America.
Resolve now you are responsible to God personally. Refuse to accuse others and judge them. Pray for others. Dialogue with people, do not create division. Practice humility, not moral arrogance.
Be grateful for the contributions others make. Perhaps they are not doing what you would do, but that is okay.
What really matters long-term is our fellowship together in Christ and our common desire for a future America that affords us the privilege to make a difference.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
*******
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.