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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

How does politics affect parenting?


I do a lot of speaking for Mops - Mother's of Preschoolers. I am energized when I speak to a group of young mothers. Yet, their problems are often contained within the walls of their homes. When a young mom is in the middle of raising three children under the age of 5, it's often difficult for her to see beyond the mound of diapers, macaroni and cheese, Sesame Street and the necessity of measuring equal amounts of treats.

Recently, one of those mothers sent me an e-mail. "I know there's a reason, but I'm just not seeing it. My one goal is to help my toddler grow into a fine young man. I'm doing everything I can to build his character, intelligence and spiritual life. Does it really matter who is going in the White House this time? By the time my little guy is an adult we will have gone through many presidents and so far I haven't seen any of them do a lot. All I want is for them to leave me alone and let me raise my son. I know that's selfish, but I need parenting advice not some sermon on politics. It seems that a lot of the sites that I look to for help are spending more and more time blogging on politics. I just want it to be over so we can get back to parenting."

I understand.

I'm tired of all this too. But there is a reason to be concerned - and that reason will effect your parenting abilities.

First let's look at some history. I'm not relating any of the candidates out there to this section of history - but it's important to find historical data that might help us decide if this is important or not. George Santayana, an American Philosopher, states "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

I am connected with the 30's - 60's. My parents and grandparents had wonderful stories about the war and the lifestyle we had during those times. Stories of courage and strength and a passion for our country and freedom. Because of that connection, I like to study and watch documentaries about those years. I had a hard time understanding how the German people could follow Hitler. He was so ruthless and harsh and yet the German people loved him. How could they do that?

History tells us that Germany was having a terrible financial crisis. They had just been ravaged by WWI and the future looked bleak for their country. They felt defeated, poor and without honor. Hitler seized the opportunity to gain political power based on one promise. He promised the German people "greatness". He promised that he would make their lives better and he would do it because they deserved the best. He would elevate them above all other races and countries. They would become the rulers and the best in the world. They deserved this because they had been oppressed and it was time for them to take back their country.

He promised to take over and do it all. He told them what they wanted to hear. (my words) "I know you are tired. I am the only one in the world that understands the German struggles. Sit back and let me handle everything."
The German people were tired, poor and depressed. They decided to let this man carry all their burdens while they stopped thinking and concentrated on themselves. Once he was in office and it was too late to stop him, his true plan was revealed.

Check out a few of Hitler's personal quotes. "He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future."

"How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think."

"If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed."

"It is always more difficult to fight against faith than against knowledge."

What makes this bit of history so important is this....."Total power corrupts totally." The reason this country has survived and been free for so long is because our forefathers understood that you just can't believe the promises of a politician. There is a great potential for politicians to lie in order to be elected. So...they set in place a system of checks and balances so no one person or any one office can have complete power. Without complete power, a lying politician would be prevented from doing total damage.

You are probably saying...."Good, then the system will do the work and I can go back to my children."

Hold on....not so fast. The reason Hitler could do what he did, was that he got in the system and changed the rules as he went. He found a way to take little bites until he had consumed the entire political system. We must always be concerned about anyone that wants to change the rules on our freedom.

For the past 20 years liberals have been trying to change the constitution and the way laws are made and enforced. We have already lost many of our religious freedoms. The Christian morals that once guided this country are under constant attack.

If we have a Democrat president and a democratic congress - they can change laws quicker than we ever thought possible because they have a majority and the power of that majority can over ride the will of the people. In other words, there is no limit to the changes that could be made to our conservative lives.

NOW....back to "how does that affect parenting?" If you are trying to raise a Christian young man, he will have a much harder time in a socialistic state than he would in a republic. He will face challenges and evils that you never dreamed of.

Am I saying Democrats are evil? No, not all of them anyway. My son pointed out the other day that he learned how the two parties were organized in his high school history class. When our current two parties were first organized, there was one major difference. Democrats believed in governmental control. They lean to a socialistic way of life. They believe in big government and government involved in all aspects of personal life.

Republicans were first organized on the principles of a republic. They felt that government should be small and stay out of the individuals personal life. These were also the greatest believers in God and faith. The individual citizen was to do his best to make his own life all it should be - without the help of the government. While republicans believe in helping the helpless, they also believe in letting the strong run their own lives.

The problems for your son escalate when he inherits a democratic way of life. With government so involved in the daily lives of it's people, they can dictate what you see on TV, read in books and where you go to school. They can determine if a religion is acceptable or not and how the general public will be exposed to that faith. They can dip into your pocket and force you to support groups you don't believe in.

When your son is 25, McCain may not be alive and Obama may be only a page in history. But the legacy they leave could be one that will entrap your son forever. He could be forced to work at a job he hates. He could be forced to listen to spiritually unhealthy lectures or accept social interactions that he would rather avoid. He may be forced to participate in objectionable classes or associate with people who ridicule his faith.

Your son may never know the peace and joy we experience right now. He could be like the people of Bosnia who run from one building to another because of terrorist or snipers. Your son could find his faith forcing him to meet in basements and caves because even the mention of the name Jesus could mean prison. What about his own son...your grandson....what kind of life will he inherit?

"YIKES Debbie, this sounds so desperate....so crazy....so irrational. That doesn't sound like America - home of religious freedom."

Maybe. But just a quick trip to newspapers across the nation and you will find stories hidden in the back page that talk about Christian persecution -right here, right now. And then....then what about frogs?

Huh?

If you place a frog in a pot of cold water, he will be a happy camper. You can slowly increase the temperature of the water and Mr. Frog will paddle his way to death. No matter how hot the water, as long as it's being increased slowly - he will stay in the water.

I don't want to be a frog. I don't want some politician to sneak up on me and change the freedoms I have because I wasn't thinking or watching. The political division in this country is asking me to choose a path. Do I want religious freedom and a democracy or do I want liberal thinking and a socialistic state?

That's why all the blogs are talking about this. The outcome will affect your ability to parent the way you want. Your ability to instill religious and moral values in your child will be hampered if we choose the wrong president.

I know it's hard. I understand that you just want to stop thinking and talking about it. But this is one of those issues that can literally hurt your child. Listen to the following video. Search the web for more videos and then go to the polls and vote for the freedom of your child.







You can find many resources on the web. Check out www.onenewsnow.com or read the following letter from www.afa.net(American Family Association on line)

Dear Friend,

In my 70 years, I have never seen an election where coverage was so one-sided and biased or where censorship by the liberal media was so widely practiced and where media coverage was so slanted as I have seen in this election process. Their plan is working. The only chance conservatives have is to make sure they care enough to vote.

If the liberals win the upcoming election, America as we have known it will no longer exist. This country that we love, founded on Judeo-Christian values, will cease to exist and will be replaced by a secular state hostile to Christianity. This “city set on a hill” which our forefathers founded, will go dark. The damage will be deep and long lasting. It cannot be turned around in the next election, or the one after that, or by any election in the future. The damage will be permanent. That is why it is so important for you to vote and to encourage friends and family to vote. This is one election where your vote really counts.
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon,
Founder and Chairman
American Family Association


It's hard, but extremely important for our children that "all" parents take this election seriously.

I am praying every day for our nation - will you join me?

God loves you,

Debbie

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