like being a candidate or a member of parliament
2007-07-18 03:06:27 · 15 answers · asked by Destiny 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Pastors that do play a part in politics should loose the tax exempt status they enjoy.. Pastors should also read the Constitution and follow it as the law of the land. My Pastor told his congregation's that "a vote for John Kerry was a vote against GOD". In other words GOD was on Bush's side. According to the Pastors narrow minded thinking. I never went back to his Church after that remark. He also lost his tax exempt status for himself and his church as a result.
2007-07-18 03:15:13 · answer #1 · answered by jack09 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
In the USA we have state and church seperated for a reason, we don't want to go back to the dark ages where people were being murdered constantly and living in fear just because they are not a member of the state sanctioned religion. To allow pastors to play a big part in politics you would need to allow representatives from all religions play a role.
2007-07-18 03:11:19 · answer #2 · answered by Bobbie 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
No. Their business is theology, and should remain so. Leave politics to the politicians and science to the scientists.
If they wish to venture into political waters, they they should give up preaching.
I don't appreciate being told in church it's my "moral duty" to vote for one candidate over another, nor being told by the government that my values aren't "christian" enough, and need to be regulated.
You bible beaters want a theocracy? Then move to Iran and see how you like the climate there.
2007-07-18 03:22:09 · answer #3 · answered by tiny Valkyrie 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The "separation of church and state" answerer's are all wrong. There is no reason a pastor cannot run for a political office if they are so inclined. However, ethically, they should not use their pulpit as a venue for advancing that political career (ala Jessie Jackson/Louis Farrakhan). The US Constitution does not forbid clergy from holding elected office nor does any US law. A pastor in office would be no more or less swayed by his/her religious beliefs than any other person when making law so I don't see any reason to oppose it other than an inherent hatred of religious people.
I love these "No" answerers. Apparently, it is OK to push one's ideology on other people as long as it has no basis in religion. Never mind that the religion free ideology of communism killed 100 million people in under a century, it's better than being told to "love thy neighbor as thyself".
2007-07-18 03:19:28 · answer #4 · answered by Crusader1189 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
anyone can run if they wish to do so.
but religion and politics are too seperate things.
neither can thrive when interwined with the other.
the will of the people or the faith of the religion will be silenced at one point or another
many kings in the past silenced clergy
and religion silenced things that benefit people (equal rights, science, ect)
both do much better and are a better service to the people if kept seperate.
2007-07-18 03:54:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ministers, priests, rabbis, imams and the like should all stay out of politics in their liturgical roles. How they personally vote is their business but to use their power over a congregation of believers is not something that I believe should be done. Although almost all of them do it either directly or subtly in their lectures. They need to focus on God (gods) and not on politics.
2007-07-18 03:21:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
A Pastor is supposed to be for God and his Kingdom.
Politics are for man and Earth.
Either he is Hot, or cold. If he is luke warm, God will spew him out of his mouth.
In fact, a true Pastor would preach the evils of a government that felt the need to kill, maim, and convict, while preaching Love, honor, and Peace.
A true Pastor would speak against the evil of human traditions.
2007-07-18 03:12:12 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Sure why not they are citzens too.
We have had no problem with Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton. So I think it is fair for all of them to speak up.
BTW: I don't seem to understand something. If minsters are so evil to the political process why do liberals not shout down or demand Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton to stay out of politics?
2007-07-18 03:20:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If they do they should drop the term pastor. Chirst said render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, render unto God that which is God's. If they are going to play Caesar they shold drop the reference to God.
2007-07-18 03:25:38 · answer #9 · answered by namsaev 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The proper place for clergy of any type is behind the pulpit, not trying to push their ideology on the rest of society.
2007-07-18 03:13:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋