Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB
If I recall correctly, the Clintons are mainstream, non-evangelical protestants...maybe Methodists? You know, one CAN be Christian, or any religion for that matter, and still believe in the separation of church and state. Just because you believe it, doesn't mean you preach it.
The African American church community (i.e. AME) has a long, strong history in this country of delving into politics. The reason for this is because back in MLK's day (and earlier), church was often the center of the black community, one of the few places they could gather publicly en masse without fear of opression. Many leaders of the African American community emerged from the many meetings organized in churches/houses of worship, led by passionate, inspiring preachers, MLK, Malcolm X, and Jesse Jackson being a few. Religion had a big role in the civil rights movement. But one could argue that it had as much to do with the right meeting space, right audience, right message, and right TIME, more than the religion. The church had a political use at that time, mainly because there was so far to go in civil rights in this country, and people needed BIG, "out there" leaders to push them. Not to diminish the growth that still needs to happen here, but the reason people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are not taken seriously these days (aside from their personal issues) is because, well, they've already served their purpose. Their community doesn't feel the same need to have religious leaders dictating political movements - they have other organizations for that.
The "white" evangelical Christian churches popping up all over the country these days concern me far more than mainstream Muslims or Jews, or things a radical black preacher says. Why? Because their brand of political activism focuses on taking rights AWAY. Why are people so afraid to let others practice a different religion? Just because my neighbor goes to temple, and the chick down the street goes to church on Saturdays, doesn't mean I can't still go to my church on Sunday. Any politician that feels threatened by allowing free practice of religion in this country is awfully suspicious to me, and that includes the freedom to NOT practice religion if one chooses.
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