"Mixing Politics And Religion The Way our Founding Fathers Did" Because Politics without Religion thinks immorality in office doesn't matter--and Religion without Politics says nothing about the sins troubling America

To shake the Salt (Mat 5:13) of the highest principles neighbors know (including the Bible) into those public forums where America decides whether to "legislate" the "morality" of Satan, or of God -- whether to criminalize evil, or legally protect it -- whether to honor the decent and innocent, or sue and slay them. Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Salt is clumped by cold water thrown on it. Americans are told "never talk about Politics or Religion" if they don't want to spoil lukewarm friendships that limit passion to frivolity. Christians are told to never organize against government-promoted sins exposed in their sermons on church property where "Bible" is spoken freely, (which has been "controversial" since 1954), so they have to work with strangers with unfamiliar theologies who have not been moved by the same sermons.

To study God’s standards of right and wrong, as applied to issues before our community - to stand against corruption (sin) and for justice (righteousness) - within first, and then without. Matthew 7:5 ... first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

It is hard to do evil, and then vote to punish evil. Conversely, it is difficult to vote to promote sin, (or "bad choices"), and yet remain free of it, or abhor its tentacles snaking through community, Church, and family.

Likewise, church consideration of what God says to do about what God calls sin, will not just shine light outside the church but will help immunize members against sin. Taking a stand against sin greatly strengthens one’s resolve to resist it. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

"The mission of the church doesn't include politics." Biblical evidence that God calls us to Worship Him with not only discussion of government-promoted sin, but with a "multitude of counselors" on every Biblical topic - and not only within a church, but between the churches of each city, across denominational lines. (PDF)

"Voting exceeds Christian duty; voting intelligently is fanaticism." Oh? Half of America's Christians do things to this nation which God warns will send souls to Hell, and the other half is demanding the Mark of the Beast as fast as possible! Have we no Mark 10:16 duty to wise up? (This is a "presentation". If you do not have Microsoft Word, or the free similar program at www.OpenOffice.org, download this 6 megabyte PDF)

"Jesus never got
involved in politics" Oh? Half the Gospels were Jesus' sermons to Palestine's political rulers. (PDF)

"Politics is not part
of The Gospel" Uh, most of our Examples of Faith, in Hebrews 11, changed the course of governments. (PDF)

To create a laboratory of relationship skills which will deepen our fellowship, strengthen our marriages, and embolden our testimony of the highest principles we know, through the challenge of developing consensus on vital but controversial issues with others with whom we do not always agree. Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 ...and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The mission of Salt involves changing Americans. Let's not kid ourselves: only a few rare “wise men” appreciate being changed. If we as a nation are serious about getting others to love and do the right thing, Heb 10:24, we must be prepared for at least some resistance. Who is more gracious than God, and who more reasonable and open to correction than you and me, and yet look at us! Even we get mad at God for chastening us into Heaven too hard, too fast! We need our relationship skills to grow beyond what they are now.

But the benefits! (1) Better marriages! Practice expressing ourselves in love, spiritually correcting in love, receiving spiritual correction with gratitude, under challenging conditions – important in all human relationships. (2) Better communication skills! Practice persuading those who disagree – important in raising the vision of customers, employers, friends, our children, lawmakers, and the public. (3) More intimate friendships! – capable of weathering interaction over important matters. (4) Preserving Freedom! Suing for Peace in America’s ideological Civil War! America is a wagon with horses pulling in opposite directions! We can discuss which way to pull with a little more intelligence and a little lower temperature. (5) Creation of News That Matters which makes current news sources simplistic and embarrassingly biased by comparison.

Discussion tests various arguments. We learn which are persuasive and which are simply wrong. Discussion where profound principles are not censored lets us learn how they shape behavior and ideology. It motivates Americans to sharpen their ideological “swords”, to think more clearly and persuade more effectively.

Click here for a PDF of Saltshaker Operation (How to handle Philosophical, Theological, and Logistical challenges), Saltshaker History (Brief History of the Fall of Freedom of Religious Expression in America), and a Bible Study on "Salt", as well as the Mission statement above. (15 pages)