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?

Tuesday, September 14, 2010


The Kids of Pro-Lifers Got to Eat Too!

I never ceased to be amazed at the ‘Dobsonites’ and their ability to shoot themselves in the foot but also shoot the guy who is in the foxhole with them. Governor Haley Barbour is the most prolific pro-life governor in America. He is this way because Haley Barbour the man is adamantly pro-life. Mr. Perkins of the Family Research Council, a division of Focus on the Family, obviously suffers from short-term memory loss. To indicate Governor Barbour is uncomfortable regarding social issues, especially pro-life is absurd and irresponsible.

Governor Barbour comments recently regarding the issues that have risen to the forefront of this election cycle are on target, as usual. Those issues all center around the economy. Here is why he is right and correct. The unemployment rate in my county is staggering at 16.1%. Bankruptcies and foreclosures continue to skyrocket here. The economy of America is so bad in certain places, like MI, comedians are telling us that ‘Haiti’ is going to throw us a benefit concert.

Republican candidate Rick Synder, a businessman won the Republican primary here in Michigan in a route last month. Why? He gives Michiganders their best hope to fix the Michigan economy. Mr. Synder had Republicans, Democrats, independents and people who hardly ever vote turn out for him and enjoys a 20 point lead in the latest poll. Why? Because Republican, Democrats, independents and people who hardly ever vote are ALL are out of work in Michigan.

To be honest, Mr. Synder is not the most polish when it comes to his remarks about the life issue, he is not nearly as conservative as Haley Barbour, but he will be solid on the social issues and at the same time he will fix this economy. Rick Synder is the right choice for Michigan for such a time as this.

The pastors I serve are on the frontlines dealing with this scourge of brokenness in the lives of their members, brought on by this economic crisis. They are exhorting them to believe that God will help them and provide for them, compelling them to trust in the ‘heart’ of God, even when you cannot see his ‘hand.’

It is the Governors, like Brother Haley, who are in touch with the people of his state, who meet the people who want to work but cannot because of economic constraints. These people are what motivates him to fight to bring new businesses to Mississippi. It is NOT the Christian elitists like Tony Perkins in Washington DC who exist on the generous donors dollars of so many of us who give to pro-life organizations, that is helping us survive this economic nightmare.

Just because pro life or any other social value are not at the forefront to this election does not mean we who are involved in this election and are caught in these desperate economic times are any less pro life than we have been in other election cycles.

When the economy turns and families are not as stressed about surviving, feeding their children and hanging on to their homes, we will once again support the pro life cause, just as we always have. It would be nice if the leaders supported us back every once in awhile. Especially those who lead well in both areas of concern for the families of America, men like Governor Barbour.

2 comments:

  1. Well said, Phillip!!
    Sometimes we can get "tunnel vision" where we focus so laser-like on the "main thing" on our agenda we sometimes act as if anyone who does not focus on the same issue is against us.
    Not so!!
    And you made that point very well.
    Unless Conservative Christians want to see our nation continue to be led into the abyss by radicals who are more committed to international socialism than American values, then we had better support the men and women who share our larger values, and help bring America back!

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  2. What was he thinking.. ? Are we attacking our own now? Republican v. Republican.. sad. I can see the headline "REPUBLICANS TURN ON EACH OTHER, SOON TO OVERTAKE HIGH STATISTICs OF BLACK ON BLACK CRIME." That may be a little extreme but should we not support each other or at the very LEAST constructive criticism..

    I have never visited this blog before but really enjoyed the article. I look forward to more

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