I am embarrassed to say that I do not know as much about the Bible as I should. What I do know is how people use it to their benefit in particular situations. It seems to me that Bible passages are often used as a shield to protect the spiritual reputation of those who have done wrong to others. They seem to forget those lines in the Bible such as "Do unto others" and "Thou shall not lie", "love one another”, etc.

From what I know about the Bible, there are passages that talk about how a workers should respect their employer. Now, I am sure it's not written precisely that way and I am sure there are many and differing parables. I am also sure that I am not a person who should be quoting scripture since I am clearly not qualified to give a sermon here. But, the whole "worker" thing as it relates to what God wants from us has been on my mind. I have thought hard and long about how Christian values and what is happening on the picket line differ in many ways, from what I know about the Bible. Disrespect of the employer, name-calling, threatening others.............we all know these things happen on a picket line. I just simply have a hard time believing that this is what God wants from us. And there is the question of "who is your boss?" If you are out on strike, is your boss now the Union leader and does his/her authority over you rule over the company in the eyes of God?

I did some Googling, and found one interesting forum on Pulpit Magazine's website. You can find the exact forum / article I went to by clicking here. In this forum, John MacArthur brings forth some very interesting observations about Christianity and Labor Unions. In addition, there are several posts by others. Perhaps this is a forum that should be started back up because it seems that some interesting debate had been started, and I really wish I could have learned more.

Being totally sincere, I don't wish to begin some debate where people become hateful to one another. And I am certain that all sides can quote scripture to back up their stance in this strike. But, is this subject line - Christians and Labor Unions - something that belongs in two different forums? Not if you are making God a part of your everyday life. If I had a "dog in the hunt" in the Volvo strike, I'd want to know what the Bible says about all of this. I'd want to listen to all sides of the scriptures. Maybe, just maybe, the scripture could be the catalyst in solving this strike? Maybe each side would learn that the "posturing" they are doing is not illegal, but it is deceitful.

I really don't have any answers or thoughts. It is one of those times I would like to sit back, be quiet, and listen. I am going to spend time reading more about this. It's Sunday, a day to come down from those picket lines and hate-spewing, poisonous websites and read what God's word has to say about all of this. I really don't see many acts going here on that I believe would have God's approval. I don't know for certain, it is just my opinion.

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Christians have a right to strike too.
written by Christy Quesenberry, February 24, 2008

In response to Ron Walton's post about Christianity and Labor Unions I must say that I think that yes we need God in our daily lives. On the job or the picket line. I don't know if the strikers say a prayer before their scheduled picket times, but that might be a good idea. These people are not out there because they want to scream and yell at their employer. They are there because they are standing up for what they believe is right for themselves and their families. They don't want to be outside in the cold, the rain, and the snow and ice. Not to mention high winds, and single degree temperatures. God does want us to keep the peace whenever possible, but he doesn't want a man or a woman to go to work in an environment that might not be safe. He does want us to take care of our bodies as if it were a temple. Which means keeping yourself in a safe work environment. It also means having good health coverage for yourself and your family so that if you do become ill you can afford to go to the doctor or buy prescription drugs without spending your children's college fund on it. The people who are on the Volvo picket line are only asking for what is right. They are not asking for a pay raise, just to keep what they already have. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with that. I'm sure that the folks who are in this situation are good God fearing christians who just want to earn a living and be safe while doing it. So with that said, let us pray for this to be resolved soon to the best benefit of Volvo and it's employees.

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