I read this today in Sojourner’s Updates:
Politics and pulpit.“Declaring that clergy have a constitutional right to endorse political candidates from their pulpits, the socially conservative Alliance Defense Fund is recruiting several dozen pastors to do just that on Sept. 28, in defiance of Internal Revenue Service rules.”
This is interesting since I’ve recently finished Jesus for President (Claiborne), and yet even more spooky if you consider a book I’m reading right now… Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile. In an excerpt today from that book, Golden and Bell talked about the church’s involvement with government and the dangers that shows throughout Biblical times which yields a cycle of greed ($ and power) and the exploitation of others in the process..
“Danger, Will Robinson!” Beware of the ‘rights’ of this sort of action. I am not in favor of endorsements from the puplit. It smells of Rome’s religion of government for the people as might makes peace. The systemic glorification of a ‘religious government’ has never gotten us where God wants us to be.
Endorsement in the pulpit? Perhaps a mere step in the overall corruption for the sake of religion. I for one do not see endorsement of a candidate as a good thing…as a ‘right’? We as the body of Christ are meant to be the counter narrative to mainstream society. By endorsing a candidate, we are no different than a polical party, a corporation, a special interest group.
We should be less interested in endorsing a candidate or one or two hot button issues. We should be more interested in making sure oppression does not exist in any form. Oppression that starts with our own consumerism, narcissism, and ignorance of the world. For me it is much more important to learn about where oppression exists, to do something to help and to tell others.
Like here:
You certainly do have the right to endorse a candidate from your pulpit but you don’t have the right to not pay taxes while you are doing it.
Pastors, in a leadership role, should be very careful about endorsements from the pulpit. What is their motivation for preaching it? Why should ‘the pulpit’ be so interested in government? Did Jesus endorse anyone?
There are much better ways to spend our energy that endorsing one or the other political machines in a place where we are to worship God and follow God’s instruction.
Show me in the Bible where God encourages human-created government or political parties.
It should be well noted that JUDAS ISCARIOT tried to use Jesus’ ministry as a platform for political and military uprise.
He was in extreme error to say the least.
Jesus rebuked Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane for trying to use force on Jesus’ captors putting to rest any misconceived notions that this was some uprising.
There are many other examples where Jesus went to great lengths to distance himself and his ministry from being considered political or military.
I am sickened by many things in the pulpit and find this “vain revolution for political freedom of speech” particularly irreprehensible and contrary to the teachings and overall impetus of Jesus’ ministry.
As a sideline note I would also like to point out that none of the candidates are running for office of priest or pastor.
To criticize one politician for being “pro choice” or in favor of stem cell research while giving full support to a candidate who advocates fully the use of war, torture, and nuclear armament not only for defense but also as a ” first strike” option, is garbage and contradicts all that Jesus came to establish as his message and legacy.
I would like to add another thought that sacrificing a church’s tax exempt status is extremely irresponsible when considering that the minister is being entrusted with money that did not come from him nor belongs to him.
(see all the biblical listings for stewardship).
I would like to charge and challenge all elders and/ or board members to challenge and rebuke your pastor if you feel he is abusing his post of shepherd for the sake of spewing politically in a place that should bring respite from all of this rather than becoming a platform for it.
Your spot on, Chris.
Ok, just reread that….I must be tired! LOL Let me try again.
You’re spot-on, Chris!