I am a Christian and Ron Paul's message is a very principled message. His' message of disobeying authority when it goes against our liberty and his high respect for the rule of law, the constitution.
What's important is not whether he is a Christian because the constitution says this.......
" but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."-Article 1 Section 6.
Rather, what is important is whether he is a genuine Christian or not. Whether he truly shows Godly fruit. Many know from years of the oppressive "Christian right leaders," that they will use whatever it means to get the vote of bible believing Christians.
Matthew 7
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
One issue I angry with much of the Christian right is about this ordeal of bringing theological matters into government. This is simply authoritarian. There are many things that the Christian right doesn't advocate in government that is not taught in the bible as a whole.
Another issue I am angry with much of the Christian right on is using the law in terms of civil government today. Yes, all scripture is under inspiration of God, but we must remember that the civil law was given to Israel before the time of the new covenant. That is not to say we aren't to apply these passages, but it is to say that they are done away with as Paul taught in Galatians 3.
Plus, we can't pick and choose which laws to fallow. James 2:10 says if you are guilty in the use of one of the laws, you are guilty of them off. Besides, I highly doubt Christians would fallow the Law when it says children who are disobedient to their parents and homosexuals should be stoned as the law says.
I am glad Ron Paul is under the more libertarian, traditional conservative wing of the Republican establishment. Fallowing the non interventionist policies of senator Robert Taft. Fallowing in personal and economic freedom principles of Barry Goldwater. As well as fallowing the ideal of Ronald Reagan that the federal government needs to be limited in power and fallowing the ideas of Reagan's diplomatic efforts in the Cold War. Most importantly, he is one of the view few strict constitionalists and "original intent" costitutionalists around.
Christians, let us not forget in Paul's missionary journey in Acts 16, that non believers tried to use the apostle Paul for their own dealings.
Acts 16
16Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
Ron Paul said this in one of his personal writings on his site.
(these are taken on snippets of Ron Paul's articles under "religion on
www.ronpaul2008/com
.
"I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator.
I have worked tirelessly to defend and restore those rights for all Americans, born and unborn alike. The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideal of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle.
In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, H.R. 1094. I am also the prime sponsor of H.R. 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn. I have also authored H.R. 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.” Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken and will continue to advocate direct action to restore protection for the unborn.
I have also acted to protect the lives of Americans by my adherence to the doctrine of “just war.” This doctrine, as articulated by Augustine, suggested that war must only be waged as a last resort--- for a discernible moral and public good, with the right intentions, vetted through established legal authorities (a constitutionally required declaration of the Congress), and with a likely probability of success."
Here we see a honest man who doesn't talk about how he is going to be an authoritarian on the issue of religion. He doesn't say he will bring a federal mandate on religion or try to pass a constitutional amendment to bring religion to the public square. What we see is a a man who will continually fight for the right of all humans, to the rights of the unborn, to the rights of Christians and to the rights of all America. He also will fight against the immoral act of preemptive war.
He is simply for the inelliable rights of all human beings. Truly a libertarian!
