Christianity & Politics

The legal name for the Republic of Ireland.

 

Hi Roger, Man, do I feel uninformed. I don't think I have ever heard that before and if I did it didn't stick. Thanks for the information.

Have a great day!!

-Brian

 

Before the Lord called us here I would have been in the same boat .

 

I agree. There needs to be a separation of church and state, and to let people choose religion (and politics) as they may. A pastor or church leader instructing people on how to vote takes away our God-given right to think for ourselves on matters that we can't specifically learn about from say, the Bible. SOme things we need to study and learn for ourselves, and it is very possible that a lay member of the flock has studied more and knows more about certain topics than the minister.

 

Rockyman,

I agree that it is improper for a pastor to dictate to his congregation a particular political view...

However, that political view can not help but be made when the pastor preaches the full Word of God.

I mean you can help but notice if the Preacher Preaches good Jonathon Edwards type sermons that there are things going on in Washington that do not conform to God's idea of good order and discipline...

What concerns me isn't a pastor dictating... But, rather softening his 'Power over Sin" message for fear someone informant will squeal on him for being too political...

No, we need to be even more denunciatory against sin... And, if a particular candidate happens to wear that size shoe too bad...

 

Well... that is really a tough call ... should there be religion in politics.

I think that ALL people should be free to practice and express their religious freedoms at ALL times... even during public functions if they so desire... even on public property if they so desire. Even if they are a politician, if they so desire.

However, I think that with power always comes corruption. The reason laws were created banning the establishment of religion (note that separation of church and state doesn't exist in the constitution), is because once you have a church dictating what you believe, it's no longer a free choice.

Note that the law was not intended to become a separation of church and state. The same men who wrote the constitution also passed a congressional directive to print thousands of Bibles for the public schools.... so it's clear that separation of church and state (a phrase not found in the constitution) was never intended. Only laws establishing one religion as the official religion. It is meant to maximize freedom of practice... not limit practice to certain times or places.... or delegate it to 'in private' only.

Like race, it is supposed to be something that we are guarenteed against predjudice or bias.

The constitution prevents a church from running the government, but it does not prevent government officals from discussing, believing, practicing, advocating any religion. It prevents LAWS from being created setting up one religion as the primary or only religion. It DOES NOT prevent the practice of religion by government officials... or, for example government officals setting up nativity scenes during christmas. The law is not against government backing religion... it's against creating LAWS that do so.

Personally, I would like to see Chrisians get more involved in goverment, but I would definately NOT want to see any laws created governing how or whom I worship. I think that keeping them separate is good... but I do not think that it is right to the degree that modern activist judges have taken it. For example, a politician does not loose their right to free religion once elected. Just because a person who is a politician is a christian or puts up christmas decorations, for example, doesn't create any law regarding the establishment of religion.

On the other hand, if a person who wasn't a Christian was trying to put up their religous symbols on the lawn at the capitol, it would probably irritate me a lot... so clearly I am biased.

 

I believe there are times when the message NEEDS to be on something which can be deemed "political," but the dividing line is really whether the subject applies to moral issues, or those things that would be contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ. If a certain amendment, or political proposition, or ruling, etc., has been or will be damaging to the moral factor of the city, county, state or country, then we need to hear messages, sermons, to counter those influences. Political or not, when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ its OK to do that. That's the dividing line, as I see it.

What do you think?

 

God sends to preach the whole counsel of God. Sometimes that will relate to moral issues in the community. Abortion will always be murder. Homosexuality and pornography will always be sin. These topics are well covered in the word of God.

The church should NEVER, EVER be involved in partisan politics.

God is NOT a Republican - no matter how much some may wish He was.

In fact - God is not even an American!

 

C4K, do you think it is wrong for a pastor to encourage people to vote morally without naming names or political parties? If so, why?

 

I think if a pastor is preaching the whole counsel of God people will have the wisdom to know how to vote without his instruction