Faith & Politics Not Church & State

Welcome to a discussion of the role religion plays in the course of our elections. I draw your attention back to the Saddleback Church led by Rick Warren (author The Purpose Driven Life) when he hosted the two presidential candidates at his church for a time of questions and answers. It was extremely civil and that was one of the objectives Pastor Warren wanted to achieve with his event. Another objectives was to get some straight answers to some direct faith based questions. I believe he accomplish this objective as well.

However, the debate about President Jefferson's famous words regarding the Establishment Clause remains active today. Since the IRS under the instruction of LBJ introduced policy that would hinder the content of sermons made from the pulpits of America's churches, the involvement of the people of faith in the political process dwindled.

Pioneers such as Jerry Falwell and James Dobson began to give evangelical christians a voice into the political process but it seems to me most clergy are reluctant to enter the cultural war that rages on today's political battleground.

Is it fear of their non profit status and the IRS? Watchdog groups like belief.net that monitor the 'spiritual speak' in the political arena? or could it be an acceptance that if something is said long enough and loud enough eventually it becomes true? Re: separation of church and state

Sad, because in few places other than the political process can a pastor or a christian make their impact felt greater than by entering the rough and tumble world of politics.

After all, what's that scripture about SALT and LIGHT?

Friday, September 10, 2010

9/11, Book Burnings and Appropriate Ponderings


In an effort to honor 9/11 with the respect it deserves...(instead of some pseudo-neo Nazi book burning event planned under the guise of Christianity. BTW, that whole deal just actually just embarrasses me to no end.)

Instead, I post this picture.

We are Americans and here freedom of religion is a right. Let me be clear..., my tolerance as an American does not weaken my faith as a Christian.

However, I do believe it is horribly irresponsible, insensitive and inappropriate to build a Mosque described as community center next to the site of the WTC. My fear is this, in the immediate future, their followers would see the "Mosque @ WTC", as a shrine of bravery for what their fellow Muslims perpetrated on that fateful day we know simply as, 9/11.
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2010 at 8:00 PM

    I simply think it is ironic. I cant believe it is this far in considerations. The US should not stand for it. We don't have a buddhist temple in Hawaii, where we were attacked by the Japanese. Granted, they were not attacking in the name of Buddha..
    I guess the truth is, I am so turned off by the debate I am not sure how to process. Its disgusting. Thats probably the best way to say what I feel.

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