1) We commit that our dialogue with each other will reflect the spirit of the Scriptures, where our posture toward each other is to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). I'm for that...but that isn't what I hear...I see those of the religious left very angry...yet they want ME to stay calm. AND...what spirit of the scriptures...I imagine that would be pretty subjective.
2) We believe that each of us, and our fellow human beings, are created in the image of God. The respect we owe to God should be reflected in the honor and respect we show to each other in our common humanity, particularly in how we speak to each other. “With the tongue we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God …. this ought not to be so” (James 3:9, 10). I will not curse another person...unless they are destructive to what I know to be true...I would have cursed Hitler. Have cursed others. Blessing and Cursing. Binding and Loosing are a responsibility. Was Hitler made in the image of God? We are to judge those with whom we have fellowship... yoking and all.
3) We pledge that when we disagree, we will do so respectfully, without falsely impugning the other’s motives, attacking the other’s character, or questioning the other’s faith, and recognizing in humility that in our limited, human opinions, “we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12). We will therefore “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). This one is one that I disagree with most. The motives of the left are NOT pure. Nor for some on the right. I am OBLIGATED to judge the motives. Wise as serpents...gentle as doves. Jesus would have had a really hard time with this...Whitewash tombs and all. This is Liberal Religious gobbledygook.
4) We will ever be mindful of the language we use in expressing our disagreements, being neither arrogant nor boastful in our beliefs: “Before destruction one’s heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor” (Proverbs 18:12). I'm for that...but it must go both ways. If you come at me with haughty, I will return the favor. Arrogant. Boastful. And our President, the one who the left would love to protect is most arrogant, boastful and haughty. A bad example. I wonder if HE took this pledge.
5) We recognize that we cannot function together as citizens of the same community, whether local or national, unless we are mindful of how we treat each other in pursuit of the common good in the common life we share together. Each of us must therefore “put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:25). Does common good include euthanasia, homosexuality in the pulpit, abortion. See. these things must be stood up against in TRUTH about them.
6) We commit to pray for our political leaders—those with whom we may agree, as well as those with whom we may disagree. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made … for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). I do actually pray for BHO. I pray he repents and come to his senses or is removed from office. How else should I pray, that he continues on the path he is on?
7) We believe that it is more difficult to hate others, even our adversaries and our enemies, when we are praying for them. We commit to pray for each other, those with whom we agree and those with whom we may disagree, so that together we may strive to be faithful witnesses to our Lord, who prayed “ that they may be one” (John 17:22). See Number 6. Oh, and I do NOT hate liberals, as people. I hate what they stand for. As I do not Hate Homosexuals or even those who are engaged in Abortion. But I oppose them...at every turn. More religious gobbledygook.
We pledge to God and to each other that we will lead by example in a country where civil discourse seems to have broken down. We will work to model a better way in how we treat each other in our many faith communities, even across religious and political lines. We will strive to create in our congregations safe and sacred spaces for common prayer and community discussion as we come together to seek God’s will for our nation and our world.
I believe in the prayer of agreement...this cannot be that.
I really GET why in the LCMS we do NOT pray with just anyone...or how we pray for those we oppose.
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