Comments on: Christians and Civil Disobedience http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/ Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day... Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:03:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bill Muehlenberg http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-113611 Bill Muehlenberg Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:24:51 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-113611 Thanks Ethan It was quite common back in my hippy days during the 60s for those who had a conscientious objection to, say, the “military-industrial complex” to withhold part of their taxes so it would not go into the war effort. It seems pro-lifers may well consider such activities today. Indeed, many may already have. Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch Thanks Ethan

It was quite common back in my hippy days during the 60s for those who had a conscientious objection to, say, the “military-industrial complex” to withhold part of their taxes so it would not go into the war effort. It seems pro-lifers may well consider such activities today. Indeed, many may already have.

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

]]> By: Ethan Lamoreaux http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-113607 Ethan Lamoreaux Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:27:20 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-113607 Something which has been an issue for many people, and may become an issue here in the US under an Obama administration, is that of government funding of things which the Bible calls abhorrent. As an example, suppose Obama decides to push through taxpayer funding of abortion. Now we have no problem with civil disobedience for some things, for instance if a law is passed mandating that preachers perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, most preachers who are true believers would say "Absolutely not! I will go to jail before I will bless that which the Bible calls an abomination." But what about paying your taxes when the tax money is being used to fund abortions? Some of the things we have to look forward to under an Obama administration are: Government funding of abortions for poor American women, abortions performed in military clinics and hospitals, official US blessing of forced abortions in China, and abandoning of the Mexico City policy which has long prohibited government funding of organizations which promote or perform abortions abroad. So my question, and that of many other Christians I'm sure, is: Should Christians continue paying taxes, if they know that some of their money will be used to pay for abortions? What if it's used to perform forced abortions on Christian women in places like China? If this happens, what should we do? Thank you for your time! Ethan Lamoreaux, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Something which has been an issue for many people, and may become an issue here in the US under an Obama administration, is that of government funding of things which the Bible calls abhorrent. As an example, suppose Obama decides to push through taxpayer funding of abortion. Now we have no problem with civil disobedience for some things, for instance if a law is passed mandating that preachers perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples, most preachers who are true believers would say “Absolutely not! I will go to jail before I will bless that which the Bible calls an abomination.” But what about paying your taxes when the tax money is being used to fund abortions?

Some of the things we have to look forward to under an Obama administration are: Government funding of abortions for poor American women, abortions performed in military clinics and hospitals, official US blessing of forced abortions in China, and abandoning of the Mexico City policy which has long prohibited government funding of organizations which promote or perform abortions abroad. So my question, and that of many other Christians I’m sure, is: Should Christians continue paying taxes, if they know that some of their money will be used to pay for abortions? What if it’s used to perform forced abortions on Christian women in places like China? If this happens, what should we do? Thank you for your time!

Ethan Lamoreaux, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

]]> By: Paul Adams http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-109963 Paul Adams Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:05:49 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-109963 Thanks so much for this insightful , timely commentary. I trust many will read strategically act on our responsibilities in accordance with Scripture. I have posted a link to it on <a href="http://inchristus.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/on-civil-biblical-disobedience/" rel="nofollow">my blog</a>. Paul Adams Thanks so much for this insightful , timely commentary. I trust many will read strategically act on our responsibilities in accordance with Scripture. I have posted a link to it on my blog.
Paul Adams

]]> By: Ray Robinson http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-109586 Ray Robinson Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:08:31 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-109586 The 'rule of law' is going through a process of abuse by the various unelected State Law Reform Commissions and State Parliaments that are implementing laws for which they have no mandate. viz; Victoria. Therefore not only do i have a responsibility to a God given guidance but I also have a responsibility to fight against a non mandated law. The latter is dictatorial. Ray Robinson The ‘rule of law’ is going through a process of abuse by the various unelected State Law Reform Commissions and State Parliaments that are implementing laws for which they have no mandate. viz; Victoria.

Therefore not only do i have a responsibility to a God given guidance but I also have a responsibility to fight against a non mandated law. The latter is dictatorial.

Ray Robinson

]]> By: Jennifer Parfenovics http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-109321 Jennifer Parfenovics Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:38:37 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-109321 There is an interesting article here about this issue of civil disobedience where it clearly clashes with an ethical standard that God has given. It has always struck me the tacit approval of our whole society in the culture of death abortion racket as it is underwritten by public tax payer funding through Medibank. All pro life people are in fact co opted by the very govermental medical decisions and pro abortion policy which results in financial compensation given to a woman who is thereby encouraged to exercise the choice to kill her baby. I have even experienced a rabid post abortion woman (Wellington Parade, East Melbourne's death factory which has clocked up a quarter of a million unborn deaths) waving her medicare slip in my face, gleefully rubbing it in that she got $500 back! It makes feel sick in my stomach just to remember and relate the incident here.Absolutely true unfortunately. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2008/11/03/contradictions-a-righteous-lie Bill when you noted this passage of Scripture I have a few additional thoughts: "One very well known passage comes to mind here, Matthew 22:21 (=Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25): 'Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and render unto God the things that are God’s.' In this important passage we see two realms of authority which are separate but overlapping. But one realm (God’s) in meant to take priority over the other (man’s)." The context is that the Pharisees went to (actively sought out) Jesus and laid plans to trap him. They probably thought of themselves as so clever in all matters legal and ethical. So Jesus reply is to these same hypocritical so called religious leaders. Jesus says, "Show me the coin used for paying the tax " .....".Whose portrait is this ? "And whose inscription ?"..... In whose image are we all made? God's. Whose portrait is stamped on to our faces? Again God's. Who do we belong to? God. We all owe our very life and everything to God. Our life is not our own it is a gift from God. He knew us even before we were concieved and before the very foundation of the world. It is just so awesome! Because I draw portraits, I find this facinating and I always tell my 'sitters' how each face is wonderful and unique as we are all a masterpiece drawn by God Himself.The Bible notes that the Pharisees were amazed at Jesus' answer. They must have been chastened and may even have grasped this eternal truth and the claim of Jesus being their Creator. They did not say any more, didn't argue or talk back... "So they left him and went away." Jennifer Parfenovics There is an interesting article here about this issue of civil disobedience where it clearly clashes with an ethical standard that God has given. It has always struck me the tacit approval of our whole society in the culture of death abortion racket as it is underwritten by public tax payer funding through Medibank. All pro life people are in fact co opted by the very govermental medical decisions and pro abortion policy which results in financial compensation given to a woman who is thereby encouraged to exercise the choice to kill her baby. I have even experienced a rabid post abortion woman (Wellington Parade, East Melbourne’s death factory which has clocked up a quarter of a million unborn deaths) waving her medicare slip in my face, gleefully rubbing it in that she got $500 back! It makes feel sick in my stomach just to remember and relate the incident here.Absolutely true unfortunately.

www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2008/11/03/contradictions-a-righteous-lie

Bill when you noted this passage of Scripture I have a few additional thoughts: “One very well known passage comes to mind here, Matthew 22:21 (=Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25): ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and render unto God the things that are God’s.’ In this important passage we see two realms of authority which are separate but overlapping. But one realm (God’s) in meant to take priority over the other (man’s).”

The context is that the Pharisees went to (actively sought out) Jesus and laid plans to trap him. They probably thought of themselves as so clever in all matters legal and ethical. So Jesus reply is to these same hypocritical so called religious leaders. Jesus says, “Show me the coin used for paying the tax ” …..”.Whose portrait is this ? “And whose inscription ?”…..

In whose image are we all made? God’s. Whose portrait is stamped on to our faces? Again God’s. Who do we belong to? God. We all owe our very life and everything to God. Our life is not our own it is a gift from God. He knew us even before we were concieved and before the very foundation of the world. It is just so awesome! Because I draw portraits, I find this facinating and I always tell my ‘sitters’ how each face is wonderful and unique as we are all a masterpiece drawn by God Himself.The Bible notes that the Pharisees were amazed at Jesus’ answer. They must have been chastened and may even have grasped this eternal truth and the claim of Jesus being their Creator. They did not say any more, didn’t argue or talk back… “So they left him and went away.”

Jennifer Parfenovics

]]> By: Peter Morreau http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-108650 Peter Morreau Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:57:05 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-108650 Thanks Bill for an issue of increasing relevance. We do well to remember that the advent of the anti-Christ will epitomise civil disobedience. By the way, you may have more than a duet to compose in your filthy cell. Peter Morreau Thanks Bill for an issue of increasing relevance. We do well to remember that the advent of the anti-Christ will epitomise civil disobedience. By the way, you may have more than a duet to compose in your filthy cell.
Peter Morreau

]]> By: Ewan http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-108567 Ewan Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:06:16 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-108567 Excellent article Bill. Thanks for putting this concept into such a clear and concise form. Ewan McDonald. Excellent article Bill. Thanks for putting this concept into such a clear and concise form.

Ewan McDonald.

]]> By: Bill Muehlenberg http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-108507 Bill Muehlenberg Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:38:06 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-108507 Thanks Mark I am sure that in addition to sedition, there are dozens of other reasons why they will come and take me away. It may only be a matter of time! Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch Thanks Mark

I am sure that in addition to sedition, there are dozens of other reasons why they will come and take me away. It may only be a matter of time!

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

]]> By: Mark Rabich http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/comment-page-1/#comment-108501 Mark Rabich Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:23:48 +0000 http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/11/02/christians-and-civil-disobedience/#comment-108501 Careful Bill, one day, when they come for you, they'll quote this article first as an example of how you incited sedition. ooooh, bad boy, telling people to follow God when the state gets it wrong! Fancy that! What shall it be next?! ;-) Mark Rabich Careful Bill, one day, when they come for you, they’ll quote this article first as an example of how you incited sedition. ooooh, bad boy, telling people to follow God when the state gets it wrong! Fancy that! What shall it be next?! ;-)

Mark Rabich

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