How would you feel if your priest stood up in a service and told you who to vote for?

Question

When I lived in Italy, some of my Italian frineds were angry that priests were telling their congregations to vote for the Christian Democrats (Democrazia Cristiana), even after the massive corruption scandals that they were heavily involved in.
Do your priests, pastors, rabbis, imams etc. tell you who to vote for. If so do you think this is meddling/propoganda, part of your religious duty, or just advice to take or leave as you see fit?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrazia_Cristiana

Answer 1

No, they don't, but we had a guy that was praying in church one time and after the prayer he said "don't forget to go and vote" in which I found was totally inapporiate. They're always talking about the separation of church and state and when he said don't forget to go and vote, that was the last thing I expected to hear in church.

Answer 2

President George W. Bush was scheduled to visit the Episcopal Church outside Washington as part of his campaign to restore his poll standings.

Bush's campaign manager made a visit to the Bishop, and said to him "We've been getting a lot of bad publicity because of the president's position on stem cell research, the Iraq war, Katrina, and the like. We'd gladly make a contribution to the church of $100,000 if during your sermon you'd say "the President is a saint."

The Bishop thought it over for a few moments and finally said, "The Church is in desperate need of funds and I will agree to do it." Bush showed up for the sermon and the Bishop began: "I'd like to speak to you all this morning about our President. George Bush is a liar, a cheat, and a low-intelligence weasel. He took the tragedy of September 11 and used it to frighten and manipulate the American people. He lied about weapons of mass destruction and invaded Iraq for oil and money, causing the deaths of tens of thousands and making the United States the most hated country on earth. He appointed cronies to positions of power and influence, leading to widespread death and destruction during Hurricane Katrina. He awarded contracts and tax cuts to his rich friends so that we now have more poverty in this country, and a greater gap between rich and poor, than we've had since the Depression. He instituted illegal wiretaps when getting a warrant from a secret court would have been a mere administrative detail, had his henchmen lie to Congress about it, then claimed he is above the law. He has headed the most corrupt, bribe-inducing political party since Teapot Dome. The national surplus has turned into a staggering national debt of 7.6 trillion, gas prices are up 85%, and vital research into global warming and stem cells is stopped cold because he's afraid to lose votes from some religious kooks. He is the worst example of a true Christian I've ever known.

"But compared to Dick Cheney and Karl Rove, "George Bush is a saint."


This is a joke for good humour BTW. :)

Answer 3

I believe in freedom of speech. Nowadays in USA they have a crazy law that takes away the constitutional tax status of a religious organization if they specify a preference for a political
view or person from the pulpit. It is a stupid law and needs to be
removed from the books now. It is definitely a violation of the first
amendment, and is one more way for the people to be controlled by big brother.
I Cr 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!
10-12-6

Answer 4

My church only gets involved with politics when it comes to laws of "morality". as for who to vote for. Although the general belief does steer us to one candidate rather than another, no-one tells us who to vote for. One church did try that and the government threatened to start taxing them since they were becoming a political entity rather then a religious one; they shaped up quickly. Church's have no say on who to vote for. Not only does it take way the right to choose, it makes the church sound desperate, the people ignorant, and a show of favoritism.

Answer 5

People can offer their opinions.... Even influential ones. At least priests are intelligent and honest people.

How about those actiors, singers, etc.... though. They tell people who to vote for all the time, and for the most part they are pretty ignorant.

Answer 6

Depends on how the priest presented it. Did he tell everybody
how to vote? Or give a good word for who he felt would be
a good leader?
I would see it as his opinion, and he has a right to express that
opinion.

Answer 7

i'm an Atheist now after some years of learn and examine into the historic previous of the church. between the failings that thoroughly shown my ideals became attending night mass at a catholic church on christmas eve. It became snowing and that i walked with my kin the two miles or so which you will possibly the church in idyllic, yet freezing, pre christmas circumstances, just to be politically insulted by using the irish priest who harangued the assembled congregation with regard to the `problems` in eire and needed us to desire for the people that sent the terrorist enterprises the funds to assist the bombing campaigns that killed maximum of harmless contributors of my usa with their bombs. He then counseled us that the christmas series could bypass to an american/irish organistion in long island ! He needed me to pay for their terrorist bombing marketing campaign in my usa. i comprehend we've finished freedom of speech in the united kingdom yet he broke the obstacles of credibility. I definitely have in no way set foot in a catholic church lower back and that i in no way will. they are the progenitors of evil. Politics and faith are thoroughly entwined, they are one and the comparable element. stay far off from all priests, vicars, rabbis or any so talked approximately as non secular chief and learn how to think of for yourselves.

Answer 8

In my country priests also try to influence people who to vote. I'm not religious, but my friend say they don't like that. Old people usually like priests telling them who to vote.

Answer 9

I would take it as advice and then make my own decision based on the candidates stance on the issues most important to me.

Answer 10

goes against ones right to vote for whomever they want to in the U.S.