POLITICS and the pulpit... in the wake of Barack Obama's minister's sermon... do you feel that politics should?

Similar questions: POLITICS pulpit wake Barack Obama's minister's sermon feel politics.

There is a lot of desperation here The Obama opponents on both sides are doing business as usual by trying to find any acquaintance who makes a stupid remark and brand the leading candidate as a 'fellow traveler' As far as I'm concerned a candidate is not to be held responsible for statements by his or her minister, family members or elementary school best friend. Examples are John McCain supporters: Televangelist Rod Parsley who said Christians should wage war on the false religion of Islam in order to destroy it motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008... Or Rev John Hagee who called the Catholic Church the "Great Whore" and said the Quran calls on Muslims to kill Christians and Jews http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/29/eveningnews/main3894660.shtml?source=mostpop_story I also don't hold Senator Clinton responsible for endorsements by creepy misogynist Jack Nicholson http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/29/eveningnews/main3894660.shtml?source=mostpop_story .

I agree with you up to a point. I don’t think that ministers should be in the pulpit endorsing particular candidates. On the other hand I do feel that they have a right, and to an extent an obligation to speak out on moral issues.

For example, there was never a massive popular movement in the North to do anything about slavery except for opposition to its expansion. Abolitionists were a tiny minority and were often physically attacked in Northern cities. Abolitionism tended to be centered around a few religious groups like the Quakers and if it weren’t for the role that these churches played slavery might well have existed much longer than it did.

Another example is the civil rights movement. Once again churches and ministers (like the Rev. King) were at the center of the movement and once again if it weren’t for the stirring sermons on the subject things might have changed at a much slower pace. Because of things like this and because African Americans have often had no way to express their opinions except through the church, black churches have a tradition of being much more politically active than predominately white churches.

I once ran for a county office and being a Democrat I was not only invited but also expected to tour the black churches and speak to the congregation. I was uncomfortable with it but it would have been taken as an insult if I hadn’t done so. Basically, no matter my feelings on an issue I don’t have a problem with a minister speaking from the pulpit on matters that would be considered issues of morality.

Their job is to shepherd their flock and they can’t do that if they refuse to speak out on important issues. Tax policy is none of their concern but things like racial injustice and war are most assuredly within their realm of concern..

Politics is a dirty business--the church would be well advised to stay out of it Seems to me there are some laws that prohibit churches from promoting candidates in political races. Of course, some of the worst offences were from Fawell when he used to meet with candidates, show up on the media supporting certain candidates, and later meeting with the President. I believe it was in 2006 several churches were threatened with losing their tax exempt status if they didn’t refrain from politics.

Church and State are separate in this country. People that don’t abide by this should suffer some consequences.

Religion is to help people. It may miss the mark in many cases, but that's what it's for.It's to build a community of folk who care about each other. Again, it gets large, and like any large organization, it faces problems.

The left hand doesn't know what the right is doing any more. Evil can happen in the name of the religion. So it's best to think of each church as it's own community, representing just that group of people.

That way makes more sense. And the purpose of that community; that congregation, is to help the folk within the congregation. Well, sometimes the problems are too big for the congregation.

The problems can only be solved at a larger level. And what is the sensible way to solve the problems at a larger level? Well, we have institutions for that, too.

City level, county level, state level, and even federal level political organizations. Are you suggesting that if a congregation faces a problem that needs a solution at a higher level, they just throw their hands up in the air and say, "well, that's politics, and we are a religion, so we shouldn't meddle"? Are you suggesting that religions do not have the right of freedom of speech, while they do have the right to assemble?

I think you haven't thought it through very well. I'm an atheist, for god's sake, and even I think congregations should and do have every right to advocate for the betterment of themselves in any lawful way they deem fit. (hope you noticed the ironic use of "for god's sake" after the "atheist" mention).

If Blacks are being discriminated against in today's society, then it seems to me a Black minister not only has the right, but the obligation to do what he can to help his people, and that could well mean allying them with other Black congregations around the country. Religious organizations have a long history of political activity in this nation, and whether I agree with their religious views or not, I am grateful, very grateful that they have, in many cases, put themselves on the side of right and justice for the downtrodden in our country.

Presidential Race I worry about a picture I see that has all the canidates saluteing the flag except or Obama. A man who a well known senator from Mass. Says turns his back on the flag in the senate when the pledge is said.

One who takes any oath on the curan instead of the Bible. THESE ARE THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT. We have our freedoms, because this is a Christian nation, and because it's taught in the Bible that no one has the right to own another human being.

And that a man should be free to speak what he wants. When 9/11 happened you clearly saw where the hearts of most Americans were. Churches of all faiths were full 24-7, People crying out for help.

And for Gods protection. NOW WERE ASKED TO VOTE FOR A MAN WHO CLEARLY IF YOU LOOK INTO HIS PAST LIFE, DOESN'T BELIEVE THESE THINGS. WERE BEING FED BY A MEDIA THAT WANTS CHANGE, SO DO I, BUT NOT FOR THE WORST.TO VOTE IN SOMEONE WHO ISN'T CLEARLY BEHIND THIS COUNTRY'S BASIC BELIEFS IS GOING TO PROVE DISASTEROUS.

Think of the man and his morals who is the Senator from Mass. THAT ALONE SHOULD MAKE SOMEONE THINK A SECOND TIME. ABC TOTALLY SOLD OUT TO OB.

I TRULY HOPE THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY COMES TO IT'S SENSES AND PUT HILLARY UP FOR A CANIDATE. CAUSE THE OTHER WILL BE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE PARTY. WHEN HE DOES THE PEOPLE WILL VOTE THEM ALL OUT OF OFFICE.

THE FACT THAT A WELL KNOWN POLITICAL FIGURE IN NEWS CIRCLES WAS WITH OB THAT DAY IN CHURCH AND SAT NEXT TO HIM WHILE THIS QUESTIONALBE SERMON WAS PREACHED, AND SAID OB WAS SHAKING HIS HEAD IN AGREEMENT, THAT STORY WAS ONLY HEARD ON FOX. MEDIA COVERED IT UP ABC,CBS,NBC TRYING TO DICTATE THE WINNER. THAT'S NOT AMERICA WERE NOT GETTING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CANIDATES, WERE HEARING WHAT THEY WANT US TO HEAR AND THAT'S A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS FOR THIS COUNTRY TO BE IN RIGHT NOW.

I'M AN INDEPENDANT, I DON'T VOTE PARTY. AND ANYONE WHO DOES IN THIS DAY AND AGE SHOULD THINK TWICE, VOTE YOUR BELIEFS AND MORALS, AND IF YOUR A TRUE CHRISTIAN OB WON'T HAVE YOUR VOTE..

" "what is going on in politics. Why everything is stop in Washington? Is because I am putting more attention to politics?

" "Are there any websites that just have the basics of politics for people that would want to know? " "Who else has given up on politics and politicians?" "Take these tests and find out what your politics really are. " "The so-called "Oprah effect" doesn't seem to work in politics - polls say her campaigning for Barack Obama backfired.

" "Is there a way out of our dysfunctional politics?" "Another entertainer in politics? " "Politics #3 - Who do you REALLY NOT want to be the next President of the USA? " "Politics #1 - Who is YOUR candidate for president?

What is going on in politics. Why everything is stop in Washington? Is because I am putting more attention to politics?

Take these tests and find out what your politics really are.

The so-called "Oprah effect" doesn't seem to work in politics - polls say her campaigning for Barack Obama backfired.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.