During the civil rights movement, it was very common for church and other spiritual leaders to speak out for or against segregation (mostly against). Did that, or would that have, upset you? Did/would you want your religion to be non-political?
2007-07-26 04:07:14 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am "upset" when any religious leader preaches THEIR views. I am not in church to hear any person's views, per say. I want GOD'S view. I also don't want someone showing ONLY scriptures that support that one view...give me all scriptures that discuss a certain topic.
Religion should not be political, not because here in the US, there is a seperation of church and state, but because they just dont mix. However, I do believe that we should stand up and make our Christian voice heard on OBVIOUS spiritual matters that are being distorted by current law makers.
It's different to preach politics to the congregation and to preach to politicians about spiritual matters.
2007-07-26 04:18:20 · answer #1 · answered by Carol D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Want my church to be non-political? No.
Some issues, like segregation cross over from political into moral, which is one of the concerns of my church.
I would require my church to take stands on things that might be legal, but are immoral.
So I wouldn't be upset about my spiritual leader airing his views on segregation. If he supported it, I'd want to know so that I could change churches quick.
2007-07-26 11:15:12 · answer #2 · answered by Acorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it is a sad day when the pulpit is used for political reasons. Of course this has only been a practice since THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF RELIGION.
From the moral majority trying to get out the vote (our way) to the popes pulling the strings of kings to the cave man that got food for nothing because he scared the other cave men with spooky stories, Religion has ALWAYS been more about politics for the leaders.
And people ask all the time, "Why should you care? We are just about peace on Earth and love thy neighbor."
Nonsense!
2007-07-26 11:21:49 · answer #3 · answered by Crabby Patty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion CANNOT be non-political.
This is because religion, especially Christianity and Islam for example, concern themselves with "ethics".
Ethics are informed by morals and political debate, political decisions are always informed by ethics, religions seeks to govern "what is right or wrong", therefore it is natural for the religious adherents to try to influence politics in a way.
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Think about it, if religion does not influence the way you behave then what is the use of it? It would just be a collection of dry and vacuous rituals.
On the other hand, this does not mean that it is effective, or in fact "right", for religion to enter political debate only that it is INEVITABLE as long as religious beliefs are strongly held.
Hope that helps!
2007-07-26 11:13:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question....
So many blindly follow their religions without thought, purpose or convictions in their own hearts.
In answer to your question...I would be upset by anyone advocating segregation. I am a few years too young to have experienced blatant discrimination...but, in a small town in the midwest...I did witness veiled discrimination....
when a black person tried to join our "white" Southern Baptist Church...she was politely told that she may be more comfortable at the Black Second Baptist Church...that she should give that a try first, and then if she still wanted to join our church, she should come back....
She never came back...to my knowledge, she never went to church again.
2007-07-26 11:12:14 · answer #5 · answered by G.C. 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No. Segregation is an evil. I am very proud of the steps my church took and the speeches gave by my church leaders to end segregation.
ALL people are equal.
It was religious people who spoke up for women's rights too! Equality for women was launched by the Quakers. As was freedom and equality for slaves.
If it weren't for them we (women) would have the right to vote.
Today - right now - priests and nuns are being killed for fighting to save this earth. Fighting for the rights of women to learn.
I bless them and pray for them every day. And I thank God for those who've gone before them. I pray for the courage to live up to their example.
2007-07-26 11:18:08 · answer #6 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Jesus would be very concerned about racism, and so should His followers be. Racism is a very potent evil in our society. I would be proud if my pastor were gutsy enough to speak out against it, from behind his pulpit!
No, I would not necessarily want my "religion" to be "non-political". Christians, too, have a right to their opinions, and we have the right to vote.
2007-07-26 11:16:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sermons are not complete unless they can be applied to your life. If we should do anything in Christianity, it is of course to be applied to our lives, not just talk and no walk.
Opinions are one thing, but facts from the Bible are or can be altogether different.
And that's just it, that is my point...Christianity is NOT living your life based on someone's opinion, it is basing your life on the Bible.
Would it have bothered me? Not if it was actually brought out IN THE CONTEXT of the sermon, without having to stretch it to bring it up.
A pulpit used for the purpose of spouting opinions is no longer a pulpit.
2007-07-26 11:16:22 · answer #8 · answered by Jed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't have a religion, but I suppose if I did I'd still be dismayed if bigotry came from the pew - though I know many others aren't, as it's all too common.
2007-07-26 11:10:58 · answer #9 · answered by Brent Y 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not care to hear political opinions from a spiritual leader, no...
2007-07-26 11:12:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋