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My church is launching a sermon series on political and social issues, with a church-wide discussion forum after each sermon. The sermon topics will be:
The church and its clergy are generally center-left to far left-wing.
Anyone in town is welcome, and people who have families and time-consuming jobs generally don't go to "discussion forums" (where people will just have Q&A).
Doesn't this sound like a TERRIBLE idea? Based on my long history in that church, I know that there will be one-sided sermons that, while not overtly partisan, will just be the speaker's view of a political issue, with limited Biblical analysis, and nothing about personal spiritual growth.
Wouldn't it be better for sermons to focus on personal spiritual development, or even just Scriptural analysis of the Bible (chapter by chapter) and what it means for us today?
Or would you go for this?
These sound like social issues, not political per se.
As long as the speaker sticks to "WWJD" or similar Bible-based perspective, their own political leaning should not matter. Even if they were far right wing, I doubt they can say "Jesus approves of gun violence."
There was a time when churches honored the law (I think it's the Johnson act, or something like that) which forbids tax exempt organizations from dabbling in politics. But that was a long time ago when it was taken seriously.
They aren't forbidden from speaking on political issues. They just aren't supposed to endorse political candidates. And it's past time that this law was repealed.
My church is launching a sermon series on political and social issues, with a church-wide discussion forum after each sermon. The sermon topics will be:
The church and its clergy are generally center-left to far left-wing.
Anyone in town is welcome, and people who have families and time-consuming jobs generally don't go to "discussion forums" (where people will just have Q&A).
Doesn't this sound like a TERRIBLE idea? Based on my long history in that church, I know that there will be one-sided sermons that, while not overtly partisan, will just be the speaker's view of a political issue, with limited Biblical analysis, and nothing about personal spiritual growth.
Wouldn't it be better for sermons to focus on personal spiritual development, or even just Scriptural analysis of the Bible (chapter by chapter) and what it means for us today?
Or would you go for this?
Personally, I feel as if the greater the separation between church and state, the better.
Personally, I feel as if the greater the separation between church and state, the better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticPhD
I don't think I'd like a sermon series about political issues, but I wouldn't mind if it were a discussion series, done outside of and/or in addition to the church service.
They aren't forbidden from speaking on political issues. They just aren't supposed to endorse political candidates. And it's past time that this law was repealed.
I certainly hope that law is never repealed. Non profit, tax-exempt organizations working under IRS rules 501(c)3, are forbidden from taking sides in partisan politics. That includes some churches, and many other non-profits, from museums to animal adoption groups, to community theaters, to symphony orchestra, to hospitals. (Not all churches are 501(c)3 organizations.) I don't want to see those organizations pressured into endorsing political candidates or issues.
Many years ago, I was serving as the president of a community band. We turned down every request to play music at political rallies and fund raisers, even though the contributions to the organization were tempting. We accepted a request to play for an inauguration because the partisan politics was over and the community event was a proper place for us to play.
A Sermon? Right from the Sunday pulpit? I walk out when the word Democrat or Republican or
homosexual is used...right in front of everyone. Grab my stuff and I'm gone.
Now, a class or discussion being offered on a Saturday morning? Fine.
I certainly hope that law is never repealed. Non profit, tax-exempt organizations working under IRS rules 501(c)3, are forbidden from taking sides in partisan politics.
Many years ago, I was serving as the president of a community band. We turned down every request to play music at political rallies and fund raisers,...
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