Are Baptist churches just republican political organizations?

Question

I went to a baptist chuch and recieved in my bullitan a brocher that stated vote No in November and stated the churches views on Stem Cell research. Is this leagle? Is this what I can start to expect at churches now?

Answer 1

Pretty much... So much for the separation of church and state, eh???

Answer 2

There is nothing in the law that prevents an organization from advocating a particular side of an issue. An organization can say everything they want to about an issue, but the organization cannot advocate a particular candidate. If a church were to tell its parishoners to vote Republican then they could lose thier non-profit status, but they can tell thier parishoners to vote against or for abortion.

Additionally, being a Baptist does not make one Republican. Is the ACLU just a Democratic (in terms of the Democratic party) political organization? Just because two organization share similar political views does not mean that they are one in the same. Additionally, I know a number of liberal Baptist churches were most of the members are Democrats. They are pro-abortion and gay-friendly churches. So not all Baptist churches (in name at least) are "Republican" in the sense that they have similar viewpoints on certain issues.

Answer 3

no but i think that pastors have an obligation to make people aware of moral issues and it seems to be that the republicans hold the same values as a lot of christians show me a democrat that holds my same moral values and i'll vote for him but until then the republicans have my vote besides they may have suggested you vote no but no one is twisting your arm when you go to the polls so why should this bother you. ps i went to a baptist church where most of the congregation was democrat and i find it hard to believe that people who supposedly have moral convictions that coincide with the bible would vote for someone who doesn't. It sounds to me that you have found a pastor who has a spine and is not worried about being p.c.
the defenition for politically correct:NO BACKBONE!!!!!

Answer 4

To answer your initial question - 'No, but don't expect churches to disconnect from the political process.' Churches, and church members, are citizens like all of us. And citizens need to make informed decisions. It doesn't sound like the church is telling you how to vote, but merely offering you what may be an alternate position. Read the brochure, then decide for yourself. I think most churches would be okay with that.

Answer 5

I don't agree with that point of view - but churches have for a very long time in American history played a role (an active role) in American Politics. It is certainly legal - whether it is ethical is another matter.

Answer 6

Churches are not supposed to endorse candidates or politics. Nor is the federal government allowed to endorse or start its own church--as per the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

However,....obviously it is only selectively followed.

Not to sound incredibly lame...but, could you find another church that doesn't combine politics with the pulpit?

Answer 7

Yeah, the church is going to tell you to believe in what it believes in now in politics, pretty much the same way it's been telling you what to believe in about everything else. The church, and religion itself, offers no free will or choice.

Answer 8

That is very illegal. As a tax-exempt organization, no religious institution is allowed to officially endorse anything political that is partisan. I do feel that many--not all--but many Baptist churches are just Republican political societies.

Answer 9

I read some where that Baptise churches are used for republicans to spread around America, and to change the constatution.

Answer 10

MOST Fundie churches are nothing but Republican political organizations. But the Christian church has been that way throughout history...