Church officials into politics....?????

It's obvious my brother they wanted something more than a public servant but on their own interest. I won't believe that they never knew ( this church officials) that church and politics could never be combined...they are having another personal interest using their religious constituents to gain sit in the politics...they are opportunists...

I realyl do not have any problem with it. As long as they don't confuse their church ideals with the law of the land. Come to think of it though, priests who are in politics are pretty good and I think less corruption will occur if people who used to serve God will serve their people. If they think they can handle the pressure, intrigues and most of all the responsibility. Why not?

Well, I think Church officials are just trying to help. Because they are entitled to their opinions, they have the right to voice out their concerns if they feel they need to do so. They haven't forced people to follow their cause and we are always free to choose. We should feel lucky that the church is always active in monitoring the course of our politics. Imagine what will happen if a person who isn't God-fearing would start to run the country..

As posted by Maddog in October 11, 2007 in the article Misunderstanding Separation of Church and State, about public office: [i]Some have even gone so far as to claim that separation of church and state means that religious leaders — including priests and ministers — cannot run for public office. This is plain religious discrimination and has no legal basis in the Philippines (or for that matter, in the U.S.). The Catholic Church itself discourages priests from participating in partisan politics since such participation may divide the flock; but this is not a constitutional or legal prohibition, and the Church can also allow it in some cases. As far as the law goes, there is simply no provision whatsoever in either the U.S. or Philippine Constitutions that prohibits priests and ministers from holding public office.[/i] I don't really know whether Maddog is right or is there really a prohibition on church officials holding positon in the government or any service oriented organizations. I am not quite knowledgeable of all constitutions or laws. But, I do believe that encroaching of church officials into the decisions of the government makes things complicated.

if you are refering to Gov. Ed Panlilio's bid for President, then I will say that I will definitely not vote for him. it's not the question of his being a church official that will make me say no to his Presidential bid, it's his way of running the office that has a problem. He should take action to keep his province united before he will make the Philippines united.

Hi dong1970, good day to you. Well, i also think that idea of combining the politics to church is bad,because the churh is only for religion and the government is only for politics. And as my opinion, if a priest or any church official will run to the government, there is a big chance that he/she will understand the people, and he/she can give care to them, but the question is even she/he understand all the people at all, will it be posible for him/her to manage our country, in order to increase the economy rate together with making our country strong? I think he can not do that because every people have it's own profession in life. This coming election, it will be more good or there is also a good chance to increase the economy rate of our country together with the rise of it, if you will vote the right person that must be vote, the person that do not make a bad things, and avoiding or arresting those corrupt people in the government. Well this coming election, i will go vote Sen.Chiz Escudero if he will run this coming election for the position of president or vice president because he have the experience in politics and he is very kind as i know, that causes for him to be more popular tn all people, especially those poor people in our country. Last in this coming election for 2010, be sure to the person that you will vote in order for us to rise and to be more good country. Well that's all my response to your forum topic discussion. I hope that i give a good response to your discussion. Happy posting and happy earning MAbuhay

I keep hearing about how church and state are to be seperate.So if the pastors are jumping into politics then they are not keeping it seperate. Religion is morals that should be taught at home,church and still should be in school's to help teach the young.Politics is where the adults are at and they should already know right from wrong.And if they don't it should not be taught to them by laws,but at church.

You don't have to be surprised if church officials try to control the politics, why? It has been like that ever since the period of the Spanish colonization, remember? During those times, the Spanish friars are very powerful... they even took the lands of the natives here... you should read more about Philippine History

I believe it is all right for a Christian to join a political party as long as that political party holds the same moral value and to run for office. Here in Canada, we have the Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, the Green Party, the Christian Heritage Party, the Communist Party, etc. because here it is what the leader of the party says that goes. We do have some Christians belonging to the Liberal and the Progressive Conservatives and the New Democratic Party, but Christians and those who believe in a moral standard, have a hard time of it, because one party is too far to the left, and one is to the center but does not want to rock the boat. So it is hard for them. But we cannot forbid those who are Christians and take a moral stance about what is right and wrong to not join a political party or to run for office, because that would mean that only other religions, pagans, atheists, and immoral people can be in politics and that would be wrong.

To me its good for them to enter politics. But if they do they should resign from being a pastor or priest. At least they know more on what is moral and immoral, what is good and what is bad. But please dont vote those who are church or religious person whose characted is tinted with corruptions and scandalous things.

There is indeed separation of the state from the church but what this means is that the state should not favor any religion over another by allowing the policies and opinions of one religion or church to be given weight in deciding on matters of state business, that property and funds of the state should not be used for the benefit of the church regardless what religion and that the state should run its business free from any religious interference or influence. (this does not seem to be true in the Philippines where you see politicians catering to religious leaders in order to gain more votes) But this principle of separation of church and state does not mean that a priest or a pastor or other religious personality is prohibited or should not run for public office or should not voice opinion in relation to the state and how it is being run. We should not forget that they are also citizens and therefore they are entitled to all the rights of a citizen including running for office. However, they should not allow their religious inclination or beliefs to influence their decisions as public officers to prejudice other people belonging to another religion. As public officers, they should discharge their duties without fear or favor to anyone regardless of their religion because if they do otherwise, then they would be violating the principle of separation of the state and the church.

It is actually good to have public officials who truly fear the Lord. That would in a way eradicate the corruption in the government. But I hope those religious leaders are genuine Christians who really know God and will be able to deliver the best services to the people. I know some few religious leaders who are obviously just fooling the people to believe in their religion and not in God. Some known religious leader have become so rich already because they have fooled a lot of people in their false religion. If this is the kind of religious leader who will run in the public office, then there is not any difference at all. I know one specifically and certainly I will not vote for him.

I look at it this way priest ect are representing people they sit and listen to.It would be nice if someone could clear this mess up that we live in.Listening to people with problems like feeding their kids ,keeping the roof over their heads must spur them into doing something about it.All help welcome.xx

I think church officials can be good politicians, for as long as they don't practice both professions at the same time. I believe that the moral awareness of these people will be a good influence to the political environment. They have been exposed to a different way of thinking that I believe is more humanitarian and beneficial to the public. Of course, we should take into consideration their agenda for joining politics. For so many decades, we have seen political dynasty grow. We choose them because they have political backgrounds...but corruption is still rampant and the country's overall condition is not getting any better. Maybe a change is entailed.

I think that religious officials should not go directly in politics. They should enlighten politics but they should not be directly active in it. They should encourage their followers to be active in politics. But you cannot serve God and money. You cannot serve religion and politics both at the same time. Being a religious official entail a lot of work that does not allow you to have time for politics

I think that church officials should just leave the world of dirty politics to the dirty politicians. For all their good intentions will only go to waste, all their efforts will definitely be hindered by the packs of traditional politicians who will not want the priests to mess with their slice of the pie.

Hi there. I am quite a firm believer in the separation of the Church and State, which is why I don't really appreciate too much involvement by Church officials in politics. Of course, I know that they are allowed to state their position on political matters which involve religion and public morality but they should draw the line between guiding the Church and downright political propaganda.