I am not surprised by the differences. This, quite frankly, is old news. They are also platforms, which are a completely non-binding over-generalized wad of statements designed by professional writers to encompass the greatest range of sentiments for any one given topic without actually saying anything important.

In short, they are BS.

Very myopic comparison on issues only of concern to the audience of Christianity today. Where is the comparison on things like job creation, taxes, and–finally an issue that should be important to people of faith–fighting to end poverty and homelessness.

Suzy, there are plenty of efforts to end poverty and homelessness. Do you think that those problems will ever go away completely?

I’m sure we could spend more money as a nation, just like we could on education, infrastructure, etc etc. What programs do you suggest we cut in order to beef up the poverty and homeless fighting budgets?

Tim,

That wasn’t my point. My point was that Christianity Today cherry picked platform planks. And, in my opinion, they excluded two issues that should be of concern to all voters but especially true Christians.

Yes, there are many programs out to help the needy and the homeless. But, ther eare also programs that ensure religious liberty, try to end abortion and/or redefine marriage. That didn’t keep those topics from being included.

The issues of poverty and homelessness ARE important to the readers of Christianity Today. They’re important to most people; I just don’t think people have REAL answers on what to do about them.

Most of the homeless have historically been people who have abused their bodies through alcohol and drugs. How can you honestly prevent that from happening if people choose to destroy themselves that way?

Most of those in poverty in 21st Century America are women with young children - without a father. Men impregnate women - and then hit the road. Again, what can be done about this?

You seemingly aren’t allowed to teach against these behaviors in school (with a Biblical defense) without being accused of ‘violating the separation of church and state.’ As a result, you get the moral dysfunction that we see everywhere, exponentially highlighted in the poorer communities. Government programs, which - sadly - are ALWAYS secular, don’t do a good job, as we’ve seen over the last forty years.

So, again, what do you do?

Well Suzy, as I wrote earlier political planks of party platforms (that’s a lot of Ps!) are a waste of time anyway because they are generic and broad. I don’t see how any publication can derive realistic expectations from them, even just to compare one against the other.

I see your point on what was compared. I thought you were going somewhere else with it.