Does it bother you when candidates...

[Chuck S]

give speeches at a church, like Hillary and Barak did this morning? To be fair, I am a Democrat, and it bothered me when chuch leaders would sing W's praises from the pulpit, and frankly, it bothers me to see Dems using the churches as well. Now I realize that churches were the "home base" of the civil rights movement in much of the South, and the Senators giving a tribute to those marchers in Selma I think is a good thing...but I just don't think it should have been done inside a house of worship.

 

[MyManGoofy!]

I have no problem with political figures attending church sponsored events or even participation in said events. I just really wish they would not campaign from the pulpit.

Now, having said that, how do you keep one from blurring into the other?

 

[wvrevy]

Yes, it absolutely bothers me. Politics have no place in the church, and vice versa. Regardless of which side of the aisle the politician comes from.

 

[Pop Daddy]

they should only be allowed to talk if there talking about the Lord, other then that, shut up

 

[LaraK]

If you want to separate church and state...separate church and state.

 

[bicker]

If you want to separate church and state...separate church and state.

I think that's a little like an army deciding to fight a war with bows and arrow because they object to the use of firearms. Noble sentiment, but that perspective is sure to cause them to lose the war. That's why reality should be revered, so we don't make errors in judgment in the guise of being principled.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Yes, it absolutely bothers me. Politics have no place in the church, and vice versa. Regardless of which side of the aisle the politician comes from.

Religion should be removed from politics and politics should be removed from religion. It's pandering no matter which side is doing it.

 

[Charade]

they should only be allowed to talk if there talking about the Lord, other then that, shut up

 

[bicker]

The problem is that so many politicians work to wrap their political perspectives in verbiage that makes it sound religious in nature, or go further and project the point that they have the right to have the governance of the state/country driven by their religious beliefs. (The Constitution does not explicitly prohibit that.) As such, all sides of the argument must capitalize on that platform or effectively cede power to those willing to abuse religious institutions in that manner.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Yes, it absolutely bothers me. Politics have no place in the church, and vice versa. Regardless of which side of the aisle the politician comes from.

Mark this day. For the first time ever I believe - I agree with wvrevy.

 

[shep]

they should only be allowed to talk if there talking about the Lord, other then that, shut up

Nicely put..

 

[BuckNaked]

Mark this day. For the first time ever I believe - I agree with wvrevy.

I've found that I agree with him on a few other things as well.

I don't like it when politicians campaign from the pulpit, nor do I like it when church leaders campaign for someone from the pulpit.

Straight up voter guides provided by churches I have no problem with.

 

[HamTown]

If my husband (a pastor) were to make a political statement from the pulpit or have a candidate speak from the pulpit, he would be investigated by the IRS and probably have the church's tax exempt status yanked quickly (http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1107-02.htm). However, if it happened at the predominantly African-American church down the road, I seriously doubt anything would happen. I've never understood that double standard. Although we did get a mailing from Jerry Falwell before the last election outlining how to circumvent the whole "separation of church and state" thing. My husband tossed it, but I wish I had kept it so I could share

 

[Galahad]

Mark this day. For the first time ever I believe - I agree with wvrevy.

I agree too. Don't worry, though. You'll be fine. I agreed with him once a couple of years ago and I managed to get through it. It took a 12 step program to do it, but it was worth it.

 

[wvrevy]

I've found that I agree with him on a few other things as well.

Well, Brenda, even you can't be wrong all the time.

I don't like it when politicians campaign from the pulpit, nor do I like it when church leaders campaign for someone from the pulpit.

Agreed completely.

Straight up voter guides provided by churches I have no problem with.

The only problem I have with church provided voter guides is that there is nothing to keep them honest. What I mean by that is that they can easily mis-represent a candidate's beliefs or voting record, and if the congregation doesn't do it's own research, they could be voting based on misinformation. I'm not saying this definitely would happen, but it's certainly a possibility.

 

[Crankyshank]

Yes, it absolutely bothers me. Politics have no place in the church, and vice versa. Regardless of which side of the aisle the politician comes from.

It very much leaves a bad taste in mouth and I do keep that in mind when I decide who I am voting for.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Campaigning during a service bothers me. If you're really there because the place means something to you, it's not a PR event to appear more attractive to a demographic.

Talking to a community in a church, mosque or a synagogue separate from a religious event, then it's just a building and it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[autumnbaby9]

If they are using the building as a "venue" only then I am ok with it. In some small communities the church is the only building that is big enough to hold the group. If there is another option I believe they should use it but if there is not I'm not going to hold it against a candidate (Rep or Dem).

Now if they are speaking at a church during religious ceremonies then it is inappropriate IMO.

 

[BuckNaked]

If they are using the building as a "venue" only then I am ok with it. In some small communities the church is the only building that is big enough to hold the group. If there is another option I believe they should use it but if there is not I'm not going to hold it against a candidate (Rep or Dem).

I agree with that. I see nothing wrong with basically using the church as an auditorium for a large gathering during "non-church" hours.

Now if they are speaking at a church during religious ceremonies then it is inappropriate IMO.

Same here - I don't think that politicians from either side should be addressing congregations during scheduled services.

 

[donnajon]

I agree. I thought we were supposed to attend church services to worship God. And all of my pastors have just said it is our responsibility to vote but they would never suggest who we were to vote for.