at my daughters church put up on the bulletin board outside of the church, this sentence, "You voted, now pray for your country." He was very against GWB. Do you think the sign was inappropriate, since it was in front of a church? Why?
2006-08-04 07:20:59 · 19 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It was a pretty stupid thing to do. He evidently didn't read the stipulations in the 501 (C)e nonprofit contract. That's a good way to get it pulled. The government has pulled them for less.
2006-08-04 07:24:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just as inappropriate as when pastors give the same kind of open support for our President. In the past, churches have been known to openly encourage their congregation to vote for specific candidates and measures. I've even seen pastors threaten congregations from the pulpit with eternal damnation if they don't vote a certain way.
Even historically speaking, churches have never been neutral ground. The original founders of this country often fled religion-dominated governments in Europe, making this country a bastion of religious freedom and tolerance. That's why we have to be careful and prevent our religions from turning this country into a totalitarian state.
2006-08-04 14:25:25 · answer #2 · answered by Alex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, if those reading it driving by don't know he is against GWB, then it will just look like a plea to pray for our country. My pastor loves GWB and we are asked to pray for our country every sunday. I think it only sounds bad because you know he is not a fan of the president. I am sure he didn't mean it in a good way and that is his flaw he needs to deal with.
2006-08-04 14:31:01 · answer #3 · answered by Quinn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it was not appropriate, especially in front of a church. Think of the people he may have offended by that. People that may have been thinking about going to his church, and also voted for GWB, but after reading that, wouldn't go there. How a person votes is their own personal decision. I voted for GWB, but if someone else didn't, that is their choice, I respect that, respect mine.
2006-08-04 14:27:55 · answer #4 · answered by Caleb's Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is inappropriate, though it is protected by free speech provision of our constitution - however, that church is tax exempt - and that pastor could be jeopardizing their tax exempt status by making those kinds of political statements.
Praying for our country is a good thing, so the message is OK, but just because his side lost doesn't mean that he has to be bitter and publicly disrespectful.
2006-08-04 14:27:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The manager where I work runs a church with his wife and we talked at some point about churches endorsing candidates. he said something about they don't outright endorse a candidate but can express morals and views to lead people towards a certain way.
I don't feel that is necessarily inappropriate and I'm not even Christian.
2006-08-04 14:30:15 · answer #6 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it was not a political advocacy message and was neither inappropriate nor a violation of IRS regulations.
Immediately before the last presidential election, nearly every "Christian" media outlet in my area actively promoted George Bush and the Republican party.
Their message was "Vote for candidates who hate queers & abortion" accompanied by diatribes against Democrats for being "baby killers" and "sexual deviants."
To this day I do not understand how they maintain their tax exemptions. But, I suppose it has more to do with promoting the winning side than it does obeying the law.
2006-08-04 14:28:58 · answer #7 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The statement had nothing to do with GWB.
Basically, Christians SHOULD pray for their country, regardless of who is president. I see nothing inappropriate, or even controvercial about the contents of the bulletin board.
2006-08-04 14:26:35 · answer #8 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that encouraging people to pray for our country is ever a bad thing. Our country needs it, perhaps now more than ever.
Perhaps the pastor, even though he wasn't a supporter of Bush, nonetheless wished him well and was willing to offer prayers for him. And to ask others to pray for him.
2006-08-04 14:26:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could have just been a reminder that your duties (as a Christian) do not end with voting.
While my first reaction would be to think he was insinuating dissatisfaction in Bush getting re-elected, it would be unfair to judge his message based on that, as such a message could have been posted by someone who did support Bush.
There's nothing politically partisan about it. It sounds fine.
If you want to say it was inappropriate, wouldn't you be saying that we should not pray for our country? Is that what you mean?
The first poster is full of baloney. They haven't read 501(c), either.
2006-08-04 14:25:00 · answer #10 · answered by Netchelandorious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what you have posted, it doesn't look inappropriate... although you obviously took it that way.
I think that it is possible to read more meaning into the note than was intended.
We should both vote and pray for our country.
2006-08-04 14:49:57 · answer #11 · answered by Paul McDonald 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋