[GCFL-discuss] Fw: 2004 Voter Guide-Exercise our wonderful freedom by voting.

[gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net]

Siarlys, here's a reply from an old friend. I think we'll find she is on
the same note as you. Please do let me know how you read what she's
saying.

Lance                romans832 at juno.com (If you don't want to do public)
John 8:32 "You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

On Thu, 07 Oct 2004 18:56:21 +0000 "Laura Sheppard"
<paintedrose1 at hotmail.com> writes:
Please don't believe this black-and-white propganda. From a Christian who
thinks outside the "all Christians must be republicans and all
republicans must be Christians box"...


Gay Marriage
Bush wants to amend the constitution. Kerry wants to let the states make
a decision, but personally has asserted that he does not favor
legalization of gay marriage. Incidentally, Cheney is among the
supporters of domestic partnership rights for gays.

Restoring voluntary prayer in the public schools
>>President Bush Favors
>>John Kerry is Opposed
A "straw man" argument. Prayer has always been voluntary and legal in all
public schools. No public school can forbid students from prayer, but
neither should it require prayer or take up state-sponsored educational
time for prayer.

Assault on Mel Gibson for making film about Christ
>>President Bush supports Gibson
>>John Kerry participated in Left's assault on Gibson, suggesting
possible anti-Semitism even though Kerry had not seen the film.
Suggesting possible anti-semitic interpretations does not equate to
assaulting Mel Gibson, nor does it even suggest that Gibson intended any
of the possible anti-semitic interpretations. I know many Christians who
have chosen not to see the film because they know it will be too
devestating for them to watch their savior's torture so graphically. This
does not make someone a bad Christian.

Asking for God's blessing on America
>>President Bush often asks God to bless America in his speeches
>>John Kerry attacks Bush for mentioning God so often
In the first presidential debate, John Kerry was first to ask for God's
blessing on America.

Judges
>>President bush says "We need commonsense judges who believe our rights
are derived from God."
>>John Kerry insists on judges who support the ACLU's
radicalanti-Christian, anti-God, anti-family agenda. John Kerry is
insistent on blocking President Bush's federal judge appointments.
This is a bold-faced lie. The ACLU is not anti-Christian, and has in many
cases supported the rights of Christians when they are denied. The fact
that they also support the rights of non-Christians to be free from
publicly sponsored religion does not make them anti-God or anti-family.

Overall Record
>>President Bush does not vote on issues before Congress but, based on
his publicly stated positions, would receive an 85% conservative rating
from the American Conservative Union if he did.
>>John Kerry, according to the highly respected, politically neutral
National Journal rates Kerry the most liberal U. S. Senator in 2003 --
more liberal than Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.
Why do so many Christians blindly assume "conservative" means "good" and
"liberal" means bad? Many of those who serve the poor in Christ's name,
defend abused women and children in Christ's name, and heal the sick in
Christ's name are what you would define as card-carrying liberals. 
Many of those defined as conservative are business people who pay their
workers minimum wage in order to live in the lap of luxury. No political
group has a corner on God and these issues are not black and white.  What
about defense of life in terms of the death penalty? Mr Bush has overseen
more executions that any Governor in recent history.  What about defense
of innocent lives beyond nationalistic borders? Regardless of the right
or wrong of the war, Bush has never expressed any concern for the
innocent lives of Iraqi and Afghani civilians and children that are
"collateral damage" from our bombings. Christ's followers must at least
express sorrow, if not regret, for these great tragedies.

>>With help from you and many others, we aim to distribute 25,000,000 of
these Voter Guides in churches and mailboxes to Christian voters across
America.
What I received in my email was not a "Voter Guide" but a piece of
political propoganda pretending to be suporting of responsible decision
making for Christian voters. Think outside the box, and consider for
yourself which candidate is more compassionate and patient. These are the
fruits of the Spirit. Christ said "blessed are the peacemakers." Which
candidate is more of a peacemaker?  Christ said "Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you" Which candidate is more likely to
permit the country to do this, and which to send us into more frenzied
fear, hatred and violence?

Peace to you all, and may the Spirit of Christ be upon you on November 2.
-Laura Sheppard