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Should religious leaders tell their congregations where to stand on different issues and who to vote for?? Personally I think it is okay and good when the issues at hand are religious in nature. For example, a pastor should definitely encourage his flock to vote for candidates that are pro-life and anti-gay marriage and anti-stem cell research because these link directly to religion. It is also understandable when Americans Jews listen to their rabbis and usually vote based on what is best for the State of Israel their home country.
However I don't think it should go beyond this. Here in Maryland, the Catholic church is encouraging their followers to support giving in-state college tuition to illegal aliens using our tax money. Despite the fact that illegal aliens are breaking many of God's commandments by being here. I think the Southern Baptist Convention has also supported the failed nationwide Dream Act which also supports illegal immigration. Why the SBC would do this coming mostly from the conservative South is beyond me but I think the Catholics are doing this because most Mexicans are Catholic and this is a way to support their fellow international Catholics, and to help add membership in the domestic Catholic church especially after all of the corruption and sex scandals among priests.
I can think of no reason why religious leaders should be excluded from the political conversations, or any civic activity for that matter. They are citizens and their voices, within our society and Constitutional construct, is as valid as any other. To preclude their voices would be against the letter and spirit of our Constitutional compact.
I can think of no reason why religious leaders should be excluded from the political conversations, or any civic activity for that matter. They are citizens and their voices, within our society and Constitutional construct, is as valid as any other. To preclude their voices would be against the letter and spirit of our Constitutional compact.
So says the liberal/progressive/atheist.
What I meant by "No" was a religious leader pressuring their congregation into voting for a certain candidate or viewpoint. There's no place for that.
Of course they can vote and participate in civic activities
Depends. I consider the following to be inappropriate.
1. Pressuring the congregation to vote for a specific party or candidate.
2. Circulating petitions in church for or against a certain issue. Again, pressuring congregants to take a stand.
3. Discussing said political issues from the pulpit during church announcements or the sermon.
4. Inviting candidates to speak in church.
5. Organizing rallies or events for or against an issue.
I don't think these should be illegal, but having experienced everything but #4 in my life, I can say that it's really not a good idea. The christian church's primary mission is to proclaim the gospel and to encourage people to follow Jesus, not to get overly involved in politics. It distracts and corrupts christians from their primary job and can turn Christians against each other. Jesus didn't get involved in his day, and neither should his followers...very much.
Of course. But how many of you guys actually listen to your pastor anyway?
No one listens to pastors (thank goodness), and i don't think the pastors listen to anyone either.
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