Warning to Churches: Beware of Religious Right

[SecularMotion]

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today called on the nation’s clergy to reject Religious Right attempts to turn houses of worship into centers for partisan politicking.

This Sunday (Oct. 2) the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is sponsoring “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” an event in which evangelical pastors are urged to break the law by endorsing or opposing candidates as they conduct religious services.

“This is an appalling attempt by the Religious Right to turn houses of worship into houses of partisan politics,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Americans attend church for spiritual guidance, not to get a list of candidates to vote for on Election Day.

“I know the Religious Right would like to forge fundamentalist churches into a partisan political machine,” Lynn continued, “but the law doesn’t allow it, and the American people don’t want it.”

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/christianity/warning-churches-beware-religious-right

[AmBlue]

1. THIS.

Any church that allows itself to be a prostitute for politics should be shut down immediately, or subject to taxation and heavy fines. If you are a member of a church that's doing this, or know of one, they should be reported to the I.R.S.

Many churches get subsidies from the government for their "faith-based" community service. Those monies should be withheld if they are actively acting as a political organization. Does anyone know how to report this behavior, i.e., what government agency you would report this activity to?

[sarcasmo]

2. I think it's a bit late. The religious right has hijacked religion much like radical muslims

have hijacked their religion.

[bullwinkle428]

3. Unfortunately, about 25 years too late.

[MrsBrady]

4. my church does not allow politics to be discussed

from the pulpit, or in religious lectures.
I know people in my church are on both sides of politics, but it's never discussed while "in church".

And actually, we WANT separation of church and state.
Because which church would be the right one if we didn't have separation?--this is the problem.

Personally, I think it's un-American to mix the two, but I know it goes on.

[Festivito]

6. But, does your church discuss gays and choice from the pulpit. And, do that for large donors?

And, then the lack of free discussion on those issues insures that only the big-donors sides of issues disseminate.

[MrsBrady]

7. no, there are strict rules for only discussing

the spiritual/religious.
no personal opinions are allowed.


I don't know how well large donors are treated.
I don't know who gives what. It's not discussed. Ever.
I've seen hymnals and study books with peoples gift name in them, and that's the only personal
thing I've ever seen. We just don't do that. No donor is ever mentioned by name in church.
I mean I know who the wealthy are, but I have no idea how much they give.
I don't give much, but I'm always welcomed, just the same.

[Festivito]

9. A homily/sermon without an opinion? Is there a ... talk?

That's nearly impossible.

The point I'd be making is when a talk is given about the ten commandments for example, does abortion get a quick mention with the do not kill section or gays during adultery. Does that talk happen to occur just before an election, and then rules keep it from further discussion -- letting only one side remaining spoken.

It is an insidious problem.

And, made worse because you would not know if the donor donated, or what. It could be in the form of dinners, Christmas money, .... directly to the head speaker.

Just the nature of monied politics. Any group can be used, not just churches.

[Jack Sprat]

8. That's good news, MrsBrady.

What denomination is that, if you don't mind my asking of course?

[rbixby]

5. I think a good way of doing this would be to say

"Hey, talk politics all you want, but if you want to have a say in what the government does, you need to pay to help support it like everyone else does" I just don't get why so many evangelicals think that its okay for churches, which are given tax free status mostly on the precondition that they don't discuss politics, to discuss politics. If they pay their part, then I welcome them to endorse or oppose whoever they want, but as long as they're not, they need to keep their mouths shut.