Christians Too Political...

[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.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

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.

I grew up in a fundamentalist (read that Hell, Fire and Brimstone) church and got out when my teen rebellion came along.

The cynic in me would say, at least at that time, our church was a lot more interested in the collection plate than the ballot box.

But times do change.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

I grew up in a fundamentalist (read that Hell, Fire and Brimstone) church and got out when my teen rebellion came along.

The cynic in me would say, at least at that time, our church was a lot more interested in the collection plate than the ballot box.

But times do change.

Well, I dunno that they completely change. I'm sure plenty of churches are still like that. But I've been to a range of Methodist and Southern Baptist churches and haven't really seen anything I'd consider greedy, overtly political, or with over-emphasis on damnation.

I'm sure some people would point to any reference to hell or salvation as being "fire and brimstone" type stuff, but I really don't see it.

[DeltAlum]

It seemed to me at the time that the "begging" for offering was nearly as long as the sermon.

And, they did it twice during the service.

Plus during Sunday School.