Gubernatorial candidate John Arthur Eaves interview
With the Jackson Free Press.
Why are you running as a Democrat? What defines you as a Democrat?
I’m a Democrat because I’m a Christian, and I believe in the true calling of Christ. When he came here, what did he do? He did three things: He healed the sick—today we call that health care. He told us the truth, and to understand the truth you need to have an education. And he came to help the poor—we call that economic development. Mississippi is a good place to start for that. We’re the poorest in the nation.
I believe in the Good Samaritan. A lot of people do not realize that their responsibility is to be their brother’s keeper, but I believe the greatest form of serving is to serve your neighbor.
I’ve heard a few preachers say that Christians don’t vote Democrat.
I think the problem has been that the Republican Party has used Christian evangelicals for a long time, but I think that the evangelicals are waking up to this. I noticed that in the last round of national elections.
Labels: Mississippi politics
posted by Matt Friedeman at
5:02 PM
7 Comments:
I am going to use this post to make a challange. I dont think that political parties have a claim to Christianity, but I whole-heartedly agree with Eave's rationalization. What he articulated is exactly how I have looked at things over the years. My challenge comes in the way of questions. Do Republicans really believe in smaller government? IF so, where has that been demonstrated? Republicans/Conservatives say they have a problem with big government, especially government social programs. Thats a valid distinction from what I believe. But how do they rationalize giving oil companies tax breaks that make record profits while government spending increases? I dont see where there is a decrease in government spending by one side or the other. That being the case, I would be more inclined to spending the money on the citizens that need it most.
Another Republican image that I have not been able to confirm, so therefore I do not buy into, is that they are more Pro-military. The first place I looked to evaluate the situation was to look at who represents the parties. I saw a list of Congressional Veterans once and it was overwhelming Democrat. I think people have a tendency of listening to words as opposed to looking at actions.
Lastly, back to the economy, how do you measure success? I personally researched something and found it to be odd about varying opinions of a "booming" ecomony. I have heard people describe the Reagan and Bush II economies as "booming". I would bet for supply siders, that would be accurate. But when I looked at the numbers, in both instances poverty increased drastically. Knowing that, looking at the actual numbers, I can not in good conscious support methods that produce those results.
I applaud John Arthur Eaves for what he said because I agree with his rationale. I do not need people to agree. I actually wish everyone would research things on their own and be truthful to themselves about the results. We can disagree on what makes something "better". But at least know something about why you believe what you believe or support what you support. Take care.
No matter how good of position one might take on the economy, big government verses small etc. I can not understand how anyone who is a Christian can align themselves with the democratic party or speak in support of them. Issues such as abortion, homosexuality,removing God from all aspects of the public arena,
not to mention gun control and .....
This is what the democratic party tells me they stand for, kind of reminds me of the ACLU?
vnillaBobbylake, I am a Democrat and I am not telling you to do any of those things. Secondly, there are sins other than abortion, an homosexuality. A lot of these things are stereotypes that people buy into. Do you think only women who are Democrats have abortions? Only people who are Democrats, homosexual? As far as God being removed from the public arena, why are you looking for a party to protect that? Kinda reminds me of people that were upset that they removed group prayer from schools who were not praying at home. I do not look to anyone else to give me the right to worship God and if you do, I think its a waste of time. As for abortion, it is wrong and you will not find me defending it, but its only one issue. I am not pro-homosexual either, but I don't hate those individuals. From what I saw of Jesus, he would not have hated them either. As for your point on gun control, I dont see how that relates spiritually at all, I own guns.
I think you missed the point here. John Arthur Eaves did something that I have not seen anyone else successfully do and I applaud him for that. The Democratic Party does not control whether a woman has an abortion. It does not control whether a person claims to be gay. He is saying that as it relates to his faith and the things that he values, the Democratic Party attempts to address those things. All I will say is this, we know Jesus to have been a man that was forgiving, cared for the poor, the sick, the old, the downtroddened and fought the establishments that sought riches and corruption of the church. That is why I am a Democrat. I, nor Eaves is saying you can not be a Republican and a Christian. But if so, say why you are a Reepublican Christian as opposed to why you are not a Democratic.
The Democratic Party keeps abortion on the table as a option for women.
I don't think you would argue that, so I wonder who is missing the point?
We do know Jesus is one who is forgiving, according to the scriptures,
but we must first seek forgiveness and repent. When it comes to moral issues the Dem's cannot only get to first base, they don't even know which end of the bat to hold.
I am a Democrat and I am against abortion as well. However, unlike many Republicans who profoundly attest to the "sancity of life" I am also against the death penalty, because of my pro-life stand. Many Republicans fail to admit their own hypocrisy of supporting the death penalty while claiming to be "pro-life." One can have an intelligent debate as to when life truly begins, however, no one can intelligently argue that a man or woman sentenced to death is a "life." One more point for the last six years this country had a country controlled by a Republican congress and a Republican president , but is abortion any less legal? NO! It is time that people stop giving Republicans a pass and voting for them solely because they are "pro-life" when they have had six years to do something about it and did nothing. By the way an interesting side point President Bush who many tout for his pro-life and christian beliefs has personally signed more death warrants as the Governor of Texas than any other person in US history. Doesn't sound very pro-life to me.
Bob, I will just say that I think your view is a waste of time. Abortions will end when people's hearts and minds change. I have the same view on the government as I do political parties. You can sit back and use either as an excuse to do nothing if you want to. The Democratic Party is not stopping you from persuading women not to have abortions. Just like the government is not stopping you from helping the poor, the old, the mentally ill, etc. If you think all it takes to get to Heaven is your Republican registration card, you are sadly mistaken. IF you make it, you will be surprised to see some Democrats there and you will be surprised that some Republicans did not make it.
Just speaking the truth in love!
ANYONE that calls themselves a christian and a democrat.Needs to talk to a bible believing christian and check their salvation.If this checks out,please seek psyciatric help immediately.
for the record until one of the two major partys get right.I will vote independant or constitution party.
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