Christians Too Political...

[Tom Earp]

Didn't Henry the VIII say the same thing about the Roman Catholics back in his day!

What is ironic is that while America (Federal Govt.) is trying to distance itself from the Relegions, the religions are getting more into politics?

But remember too, they do get tax breaks!

[ThetaPrincess24]

I used the search function on the Barnes & Noble website and found this:

The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church by Gregory A. Boyd.

[shinerbock]

I agree, but I certainly think it should be expanding beyond "evangelicals." Usually people are referring to the Christian-GOP connection, but it certainly goes the other way as well.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I agree, but I certainly think it should be expanding beyond "evangelicals." Usually people are referring to the Christian-GOP connection, but it certainly goes the other way as well.

As I recall from the link, there is language pertaining to concerns about both conservatives and liberals, so there may be at least some balance.

Also, the document was written by self proclaimed Evangelicals, so perhaps they're interested in addressing themselves without taking issue with others.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

As I recall from the link, there is language pertaining to concerns about both conservatives and liberals, so there may be at least some balance.

Also, the document was written by self proclaimed Evangelicals, so perhaps they're interested in addressing themselves without taking issue with others.

Indeed. I've always found it strange when I hear about evangelical churches getting directly political. Don't get me wrong, I've attended several evangelical churches, and nearly all vote pretty uniformly. However, I've never heard any mention of any political candidate by the pastors at any of those churches. You can discern how they feel of course, but that is because one side usually aligns with issues the church cares about, and one takes a fairly opposite stance.

I have heard some snippets of the politicization of the black church, but not much. I have basically zero experience with black churches, but it does seem they're often more overt when it comes to advocating for "social justice" discussing political matters.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Indeed. I've always found it strange when I hear about evangelical churches getting directly political. Don't get me wrong, I've attended several evangelical churches, and nearly all vote pretty uniformly. However, I've never heard any mention of any political candidate by the pastors at any of those churches. You can discern how they feel of course, but that is because one side usually aligns with issues the church cares about, and one takes a fairly opposite stance.

I have heard some snippets of the politicization of the black church, but not much. I have basically zero experience with black churches, but it does seem they're often more overt when it comes to advocating for "social justice" discussing political matters.

Yeah, it seems to me that it's the politicians who have latched on to selling themselves as the candidate who represents "evangelical" issues, rather than direct endorsements by many, mainstream, non-televised religious leaders.

Sometimes you get a sense of an endorsement in terms of the issues that a church leader might emphasize at a certain time, but I've never known anyone who wasn't a televangelist who really tried to endorse anyone or manipulate voters, at least in real life.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Yeah, it seems to me that it's the politicians who have latched on to selling themselves as the candidate who represents "evangelical" issues, rather than direct endorsements by many, mainstream, non-televised religious leaders.

Sometimes you get a sense of an endorsement in terms of the issues that a church leader might emphasize at a certain time, but I've never known anyone who wasn't a televangelist who really tried to endorse anyone or manipulate voters, at least in real life.

I'm sure it happens, but having attended several southern baptist churches without ever hearing these things (or the extreme fire and brimstone), I think a lot of the "attributes" of evangelicals are vastly overplayed.