HOME | DD

Description
Political parties possess the same qualities as denominations hold for Christian churches.  Each denomination contains specific beliefs and moral ideals, which are intended to be true for most of the Christians who claim membership to its specific branch of Christianity.  However, the further one dissects a church, the further they move from unity.

In politics, each party has a set of ideas which should generally apply to all of those who allege their self to it.  It is utterly impossible for any two members, let along all members, to completely agree on everything.  Thus, even parties are broken by its members.

So if parties are broken, is there a valid purpose in creating or allying with one?  Probably not.  I have yet to see any person to wholly agree with every aspect of any one party.  The issues each party presents vary, and their opinions on such issues may not always be agreeable to each member.  For example, one person may be Pro-Life but against homosexual rights.  In such a case, they are torn between the Republican and Democratic stand points.

My gut and heart tell me right now that parties lend their self to controversy and disharmony, and therefor can not possibly be a positive attribute of politics, or the church.  Parties also cause citizens to cast their ballot based on political alliance alone, with no regard to a candidates proper qualifications.  Parties and denominations are a conflict waiting to happen.

In religious circumstances, there is a clear argument.  Registering for a specific party generally means absolutely nothing.  You don't have any specific or direct duties as a party member.  You can ally with Republicans or Democrats and than go home and live a happy life with no regard to any other Republican or Democrat.  The same is not true for denominations.  Denominations are created because different groups of people believe in worshiping and practicing their faith in very unrelated ways.  Some ways are even strictly against religious beliefs.  For example, the Church of Christ verses the Christian Church.  If a Church of Christ member came into a Christian Church they would be highly insulted, bewildered, and possibly horrified.  They do not believe in having instruments, dancing, and some times even clapping in worship.  The Christian Church finds nothing wrong with it.  Thus, a member of the Church of Christ desperately needs to have their denomination so that they may practice the rules they feel God has laid out for them.

Some may argue, shouldn't they bend their beliefs for the sanctity of the church?  Absolutely not.  God says in the Bible, if you believe something is wrong and do it, even if it wasn't wrong to begin with you have committed a sin.  Reason being, you did something you thought would offend him, and that in and of itself is offensive.  So, if a Church of Christ member joined a Christian Church, even if their idea of a cappella worship is wholly wrong, it would be a sin for them to join.

On the other hand, just because we don't all choose to worship together under the same roof or in the same field, doesn't mean we can't worship wholly as a unit, a body, and a church.  And just because there are differences in political parties doesn't mean our country can't come together as a family and a nation.