Biblical US Hispanics Change Politics
By J. Grant Swank Jr. (04/27/07)
Hispanics in America are more and more aligned with the Bible. That means that as they grow in number, they influence the United States for biblical morality. That in turn influences American politics.
Per Louie Gilot of El Paso Times, 54 percent of Hispanics "describe themselves as charismatic Christians." Within the charismatic movement, there are no theological liberals, no political liberals. Liberals are not at all comfortable with a biblical base morality. Liberals manufacture their own religion, often disparaging biblical faith.
For example, theological liberals discount the Bible as divine revelation, endorse abortion and homosexual practice as well as expend denominational energies on debate rather than the proclamation of a personal relationship with Christ as Lord.
Regarding liberals, charismatic Christians are just the opposite in doctrine and lifestyle. They read, study and witness to the Bible as God’s eternal Word. They deplore killing womb babies. They will oppose to the nth degree homosexual active lifestyles. They spend their time in prayer, worship, and testifying to others about the personal gospel.
Therefore, these charismatic conservatives will align themselves with political candidates of like biblical conviction. Also, they will work hard to defeat every liberal contender.
"Seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, Hispanics are embracing a charismatic style of Christianity, changing the face of religion and even politics in the United States, according to a new study by the Pew Hispanic Center and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
"The study, ‘Changing Faiths: Latinos and the Transformation of American Religion’ released today, found that a majority -- 54 percent -- of Hispanic Catholics described themselves as charismatic Christians.
"Hispanic Protestants were more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic Protestants to identify with Spirit-filled religion. The study was based on more than 4,600 interviews."
With biblical believers, there is no compromise when it comes to doctrine and life practice. Because their faith is grounded upon the Bible as God’s revelation, they dare not scissor out passages. They take seriously the biblical mandate not to add to or subtract from the Scripture. Therefore, they take Genesis to Revelation as revealed truth, the latter a given for the soul.
"The Pew study found that nearly one-fifth of all Hispanics said they have changed religion, which in general meant they went from Catholicism to evangelicalism.
"These converts cited the desire for a more direct, personal experience with God as the main reason for adopting a new faith.
"The Pew researchers said the change in faith was bound to have implications beyond religion because most Hispanics see religion and politics as intertwined. Most Hispanics view the pulpit as an appropriate place to address social and political issues, the study said. Most also see religion as a moral compass to guide their own political thinking, and they expect the same of their political leaders."
When biblical believers gather for worship they have no time for arguing over issues not endorsed by Scripture. Instead, they have time only for prayer, testimonies, biblical exhortations and seeking unbelievers to become believers.
Home Bible studies likewise consumes the believers’ allegiance. There is no time for heated debates as to whether a person can be a practicing homosexual and still be Christian. To the biblical believer, active homosexuality is abhorrent to the deity of the Bible.
All of this perspective is in line with Hispanics charismatics. Therefore, this societal segment helps mold America’s future politics, though many irreligious candidates have no idea of this phenomenon. If they do, they have no idea how to connect as liberals with a conservative block.
In reality, liberals of any stripe cannot connect for biblical believers are especially savvy. They are not conned by liberals. The conservatives are very much informed concerning their doctrines and therefore can spy out liberals’ insincerity.
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