Politics and Religion - Mixing the two?

Tweet

In reference to an article I just read at the Washington Post about 33 ministers flouting the tax law with political sermons:The separation of church and state has been discussed on myLot many times. Sunday, 33 to 35 ministers decided to challenge the law and endorse a candidate from the pulpit. The candidate, of course, is John McCain. The idea comes from the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative legal group based in Arizona - surprise!- John McCain's own state. As the law is written, a minister may discuss issues from the pulpit, but may not endorse a candidate. These ministers have done so, challenging the law. One minister said he has already told his congregation that as Christians, they could not vote for Senator Obama based on his pro-choice views. Rev. Ron Johnson, Jr. had this to say: [i]"We want people when you pr*ck them, they bleed the word of God," Johnson said. Johnson said ministers have a responsibility to guide their flocks in worldly matters, including politics, calling the dichotomy between the secular and the sacred a myth: "The issue is not 'Are we legislating morality?' This issue is 'Whose morality are we legislating?' "[/i]Where do you stand on this "issue?" For me it is a no-brainer. In my opinion, no church, no minister, no priest, no rabbi should be able to tell his congregation WHO to vote for. I think these churches, the ones challenging the law, should get swift and sure punishment. That punishment should be the loss of their tax-exempt status. If they want to play politics, they have to pay. Simple as that for me. What about you? Links are below. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/28/AR2008092802365.html http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/main/default.aspx