What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

All too frequently in the past I've talked about things that I disliked about my time in the UPC, but for once I want to talk about something on the other side of the spectrum.

I was taught that we were to pray for the leaders and authorities in our lives. This applied to the President, to our bosses, teachers, parents, police officers, Pastors. To help them to make wise decisions and to be good leaders. I was taught that even if we disagree with them, we should respect the position (and the ensuing burden) they held.

No, this did not mean that you were required to remain under their authority if there were great differences of opinions. You could change schools or churches, become an emancipated minor, or use your voting rights to elect different officials. However, as long as you remained under their authority, that the right thing to do was be respectful and pray.

To be honest, I don't see this played out in modern Christendom. Maybe I just had a Pastor who really had a conviction in this area, or maybe things have changed dramatically in the past 15 years. And Political discussions these days seem to be filled with hate and vitriol. This is a bipartisan multicultural criticism. But an area, I think, where the body, should strive to improve.

1 Peter 2:13-17
New Living Translation (NLT)

13 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters.[a] Fear God, and respect the king.

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

:thumbsup

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

I like the idea of respect but only when it is deserved. I feel that when a person becomes a public figure they open themselves up to public scrutiny. There have always been bad leaders but in other times and places they were mostly those who could not be spoken against under threat of death. I don't really ever want to see that happen here.

The plain truth is that in this information age, we can know more about the people in power than we ever have before. We are also more free to have opinions than ever before. So it seems that in this time and place the question becomes how should that information be used. Where does the right to personal privacy end and the right to public knowledge begin?

In example, it is rumored that Pres. John Kennedy had affairs, however, during his time those things were brushed aside or covered up. Bill Clinton also had an affair while in office... So was it our right as the voiting public to know that? Was lying about something personal, that could have destroyed his marriage and family an impeachable offense? I know I did not feel personally enlightened by knowing the details of his tryst nor did it influence how I saw him as a president. Still it did cause a huge loss of respect for him with many other people I know.

So then do we say that those who no longer respect someone because of their conduct should keep it to themselves for the sake respect of their position? Is that not how the RCC managed to hide molesters of children for decades?

Very complicated... hummm?

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

Just a little bit.

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

Sock it to me.

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

In the military you are taught to respect the office or position that is held.

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

Oh, don't mistake me. I'm not in any way against full disclosure! And I believe that if you don't think the person in an elected office is the best (or the least of the evils!) for the job, then by all means, use your voting power (and any other skills) to help elect a better candidate.

And if the person in power is misusing their office to commit crimes, then it is our duty to see them tried and punished for their crimes.

And of course I mentioned, it is always a feasible option to remove yourself to a place where they are no longer in authority to you. Such as changing schools, churches, becoming an emancipated minor, or moving to another town, state, or country.

If you choose not to do that, (and to be honest, I am speaking mainly of the constant diatribe's against the President and the top levels of the government), then I do believe that some measure of respect should be offered to that person solely based on their position.

I cringe when I hear conservative Christians refer to the President as "that idiot in the White House". Regardless of his politics, he is the leader of our nation. I'm not saying they should do a happy dance if the are vehemently opposed to his policies, but there is a way to respectfully disagree. And I really think we are missing the mark here.

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

I respect the office of the President, which is why I have and will continue to point out the issues with "that idiot in the White House." (Your words, not mine.) In my posts, I attack the policies and public figure; I try to refrain from attacking the person. I've said he's arrogant, ignorant and incredibly incompetent -- based on his actions and policies as President. And I do respect Obama on this: he's done well to promote the role of fathers in the home through his fatherhood initiative.

It's interesting that conservative Christians are being singled out here. I don't see anything about the liberals needing to show respect to Bush, Romney, Republicans or conservatives. No mention of the constant bashing of conservatives by msnbc watchers.

Do you consider yourself conservative, liberal or independent? Did you vote for the President? The reason I ask is because the one's who typically say conservative Christians need to respect Obama are either one's who voted for Obama, or who aren't themselves conservatives.

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

True. We used to admit that a leader was a dirt bag... but the position was to be respected at all costs. It's the only way from preventing command from falling into subjective and opinionated chaos.

Re: What Ever Happened to Respect?
 

What should be done to a leader of one of the greatest nations that has ever graced the free world should he commit egregious adultery and even conspire to commit murder???