Comments on: Is it Time for Believers to Pull out of Politics? http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/ Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day... Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:39:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John Angelico http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-3869 John Angelico Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:02:57 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/#comment-3869 I notice another example of Christian naivety emerging also. Apart from taking a simplistic view that by merely putting a solid and logical argument we can win the day purely because it is <i>right</i>, I notice that we collectively look only at the public image of poilitics - the parliamentary process itself. I confess to a <i>mea culpa</i> here: all my so-called political involvement has been in defensive mode to protect something I consider worthwhile. So Eric's comment above about the pre-selection process struck a bit of a nerve in me. I am still learning that serious battles are won at the policy development stages both in the parties and in the bureaucracy. Some significant policy initiatives take years: economic rationalism (for all its supposed faults) took 15-20 years of policy work to displace various forms of economic irrationalism. Sadly, the job is still incomplete, because the Australian moral fibre has been damaged in other areas. Since we have an eternal perspective over our lives, we need to recognise that background policy work takes time and mental energy, and be prepared to roll up our sleeves, gird up our brains and get into it. John Angelico I notice another example of Christian naivety emerging also.

Apart from taking a simplistic view that by merely putting a solid and logical argument we can win the day purely because it is right, I notice that we collectively look only at the public image of poilitics – the parliamentary process itself.

I confess to a mea culpa here: all my so-called political involvement has been in defensive mode to protect something I consider worthwhile. So Eric’s comment above about the pre-selection process struck a bit of a nerve in me.

I am still learning that serious battles are won at the policy development stages both in the parties and in the bureaucracy.

Some significant policy initiatives take years: economic rationalism (for all its supposed faults) took 15-20 years of policy work to displace various forms of economic irrationalism. Sadly, the job is still incomplete, because the Australian moral fibre has been damaged in other areas.

Since we have an eternal perspective over our lives, we need to recognise that background policy work takes time and mental energy, and be prepared to roll up our sleeves, gird up our brains and get into it.
John Angelico

]]> By: Julie Robinson http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-2245 Julie Robinson Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:38:02 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/#comment-2245 It is important that Christians engage actively in the political process and I know that can happen in many ways and at various levels. I guess from where I sit, I am frustrated that there are too few women with Christian values in politics. I applaud the brave ones who are there. While most of us are at home raising our families, there is a void which is being filled by the Nettles, Allisons etc. The stem cell debate came down to one vote in the senate, and as with the RU486 vote I felt particularly let down by the female vote... not sure what the answers are there, but I am teaching my daughters to use their voices on such issues as much as possible. Julie Robinson It is important that Christians engage actively in the political process and I know that can happen in many ways and at various levels. I guess from where I sit, I am frustrated that there are too few women with Christian values in politics. I applaud the brave ones who are there. While most of us are at home raising our families, there is a void which is being filled by the Nettles, Allisons etc. The stem cell debate came down to one vote in the senate, and as with the RU486 vote I felt particularly let down by the female vote… not sure what the answers are there, but I am teaching my daughters to use their voices on such issues as much as possible.

Julie Robinson

]]> By: Eric Frith, Canberra http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-2226 Eric Frith, Canberra Mon, 04 Dec 2006 09:28:47 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/#comment-2226 At a conference in Canberra, some years ago, the Late Dr Glenn Martin challenged Christians to join the major political parties. He claimed that Christians could change the nation by doing so. He also claimed that there was one thing politicians fear more than election campaigns and that was preselections. Christians can play a major role in weeding out unsuitable candidates through the preselection process and speak persuasively to incumbent politicians. It is encouraging to see Christians taking up the challenge. Eric Frith, Canberra At a conference in Canberra, some years ago, the Late Dr Glenn Martin challenged Christians to join the major political parties. He claimed that Christians could change the nation by doing so. He also claimed that there was one thing politicians fear more than election campaigns and that was preselections. Christians can play a major role in weeding out unsuitable candidates through the preselection process and speak persuasively to incumbent politicians. It is encouraging to see Christians taking up the challenge.

Eric Frith, Canberra

]]> By: David Owen http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-2204 David Owen Sun, 03 Dec 2006 21:03:12 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2006/12/02/is-it-time-for-believers-to-pull-out-of-politics/#comment-2204 Disillusionment is a good thing, it means being rid of an illusion. To become discouraged and bitter because things don't work out the way we think they should with knee jerk reactions would indicate to me that Kuo went into the fray with the wrong motives. ALL politicians have a religious bias, even if it is atheism and it is necessary for Christians to be in the fray. However, the Christian should be careful that the heat of the battle does not allow their Christ-likeness be found wanting. We do promote what is right because it is right to do so, when things don't go our way, spitting the dummy just highlights our weaknesses. David Owen, Melbourne Disillusionment is a good thing, it means being rid of an illusion. To become discouraged and bitter because things don’t work out the way we think they should with knee jerk reactions would indicate to me that Kuo went into the fray with the wrong motives. ALL politicians have a religious bias, even if it is atheism and it is necessary for Christians to be in the fray. However, the Christian should be careful that the heat of the battle does not allow their Christ-likeness be found wanting. We do promote what is right because it is right to do so, when things don’t go our way, spitting the dummy just highlights our weaknesses.

David Owen, Melbourne

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