Should Churches speak to poltical issues of the da

[sachi]

Should churches have the liberty to speak to political issues of the day?

What do you think of these watch-dog groups that are being set up to report churches to the IRS when a particular church supports specific candidates /issues?

(See article below taken from CROSSWALK NEWSLETTER) :suspect: :suspect: :suspect:

Catholic Group to Ask IRS to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status of Florida Church

Melanie Hunter

Deputy Managing Editor, CNS News

August 31, 2004

A Catholic group plans to ask the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the tax-exempt status of a Miami, Fla., church, where prominent Democrats helped turn the Sunday church service into what the South Florida Sun-Sentinel called a "political rally."

The Catholic League said the bishop of Miami's New Birth Baptist Church, Bishop Victor T. Curry, "welcomed" former Democratic presidential candidate Rev. Al Sharpton and the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Terry McAuliffe.

"Rev. Sharpton, speaking from the pulpit, added to the politicized atmosphere by shouting, 'We're not people who are going to be beat twice,'" Catholic League President William Donohue said.

"But no one was more partisan than McAuliffe: 'Bush has misled us for four years and will not mislead us for the next four years. Get out to vote and we'll send Bush back to Texas.' Consequently, the Catholic League will ask the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of this church," he added.

"In what Donohue called "an interesting turn of events," former President Bill Clinton spoke Sunday at New York's Riverside Church.

"Politics and political involvement dictated by faith is not the exclusive province of the right wing," Donohue quoted Clinton as saying.

"This is a remarkable statement coming from a leader of the Democratic Party. To be specific, John Kerry has said, 'I can't take my Catholic belief, my article of faith, and legislate it on a Protestant or a Jew or an atheist...' Thus does Kerry want to inoculate his religious views from his political positions?" he asked.

"This is in sharp contrast to Bill Clinton's plea that one's politics should be dictated by one's faith," Donohue added.

Also in contrast, Donohue said, Rev. George Rutler celebrated Mass Sunday in New York, which was "well attended" by Catholics who were in town for the convention.

"In a lengthy sermon, which focused on humility and the poor, Rutler made a passing reference to the controversy over Catholic pro-abortion politicians, saying that 'No one has a right to take Communion,'" Donohue said.

"Yet this was enough for an AP reporter to say that 'church-state separation watchdogs' have said that 'Masses such as the one held Sunday amount to tacit political endorsement,'" he added.

"Neither Clinton nor Rutler violated the IRS rules governing church and state. But McAuliffe crossed the line, hence the need to contact the IRS," Donohue concluded.

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[ServingHim]

:il:

[His son]

There should be no one but Christians in our government. The church has turned this country over to the communists by there apathy, and non committment.

Isa 9:6

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

(KJV)

[ServingHim]

isn't it amazing how the government is trying to take God out of ALL public life...schools, et al?

[sachi]

The United States of America is truly a unique creation.

(And I believe it is a country greatly blessed by God - but that's another thread)

From my Canadian perspective anyway, although in some respects our histories are parallal.

However it seems to me that the foundation of the US was imbedded in Judeo-Christian principles and values

As a result there seems to be, at least from my point of observation, this intricate connection and tension between church & state.

I for one think Christian Churches should focus singly on the commission given to them by Jesus Christ , and that is to make disciples of all nations; preach the Word, edify the people in the Word, make the Revelation of God relevant to the people.

Then this other stuff would not be an issue. right?

Give unto Caesar what is Caesars - let the politiciadn deal with politics.

Don't contaminate the churches with politics.

Thats my humble take on it

Blessings -Sachi

[Shelby]

I would like to leave it at that really, but we can't leave politics to the politicians. We are fighting right now for freedom, as well as for our families. We have a responsibility to our country, to our children, and our children's children and so on. Right now with the possibility of legalizing Gay marriage as equal to marriage as we know it, abortion, our troops etc, all of these are under attack. truthfully, money has nothing to do with my vote now. I will go broke so that my children won't live in a country that has surrendered all morals for political support. I can't and I won't. Yes we should be out there witness and the such, but just like at work you have a job to get done, and you should like and work in a way that others see Christ in you, we have a job to get done. We need God in our government, and I am afraid that that will dissappear if we get the wrong person in that seat.

I wish it was that easy, but this is my country, I take great pride in that, and there is no way we should sit back and let the politicians handle this.

MHO

[dwinkjr]

I would like to leave it at that really, but we can't leave politics to the politicians. We are fighting right now for freedom, as well as for our families. We have a responsibility to our country, to our children, and our children's children and so on. Right now with the possibility of legalizing Gay marriage as equal to marriage as we know it, abortion, our troops etc, all of these are under attack. truthfully, money has nothing to do with my vote now. I will go broke so that my children won't live in a country that has surrendered all morals for political support. I can't and I won't. Yes we should be out there witness and the such, but just like at work you have a job to get done, and you should like and work in a way that others see Christ in you, we have a job to get done. We need God in our government, and I am afraid that that will dissappear if we get the wrong person in that seat.

I wish it was that easy, but this is my country, I take great pride in that, and there is no way we should sit back and let the politicians handle this.

MHO

Amen!! Amen!!! and Did I mention? Amen!!!

[Guest charlie]

I for one think Christian Churches should focus singly on the commission given to them by Jesus Christ , and that is to make disciples of all nations; preach the Word, edify the people in the Word, make the Revelation of God relevant to the people.

Edited September 2, 2004 by charlie

[irishcowboy]

I know of many many many pastors that would not allow bill clinton to even walk up on the stage, much less get behind the pulpit....

the stage and pulpit area is for those that are teaching Jesus, teaching God, witnessing the Lords work, not for some one that is witnessing satan.....

should we know, as children of God what the politicians are doing? and what they are saying??? and whetheror not their wittness aligns with their words?

YES!.....

vote with prayer behind your dicission......

mike

[tako]

HI SACHI, Yes It's a shame the churches in AMERICA has to give in to the GOVERNMENT DEMANDS ON TAXES, And AMERICA is now going through a CIVIL WAR on CULTURE and RELIGIOUS FREEDOM and a lot of AMERICANS are OBLIVIOUS about it, It's called SLOW POISION CULTURAL CLEANSING. Also from what I heard over christian radio that SEPERATION of CHURCH and STATE actually came from RUSSIA, So If you connect the DOTS of COMMUNIST influences in AMERICA, You can see that our DEMOCRATIC PARTY of TODAY is behind all of this and that is why I believe our CHURCHES should not stay SILENT and let our BROTHERS and SISTERS in CHRIST know just what is going ON !! Anyways nice talking to you .........TAKO