What do you think of a member of clergy putting political opinions in the sermon/newsletter

[Anonymous]

I received our church newsletter this week and I was really surprised that the newsletter had a large article urging members of the church to look at the Maryland ballot (no not question 6) a certain way and consider voting this way and not that way or that way and not this way.

I don't go to church for political views, I go for worship. I don't need to listen to a sermon about his or her political views.

Would you be annoyed?

[Anonymous]

Yes, and I think churches who electioneer in this manner need to forfeit their tax-exempt status.

[Anonymous]

Totally agree with 10:22.

[Anonymous]

I tune out.

Not interested in my church (catholic) getting political with me on sundays.

I get it on some level but I try not to think about it when it comes up and just get into my own personal thoughts when talk about an issue (abortion mostly) comes up.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but haven't they done that forever? I remember my mother complaining about her Episcopal priest telling them they should protest against the Vietnam War.

And the Catholic Church is very politically active regarding abortion.

[Anonymous]

Yesterday I read this blog post. Interesting perspective about seemingly religious leader. Read for yourself and deliberate.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/01/my-take-billy-graham-and-ralph-reed-are-putting-politics-before-god/comment-page-18/

[Anonymous]

I have zero issue with church providing religious guidance on their religion's position on various public issues. I have a lot of problem with specifically saying you should vote for one particular candidate.

[Anonymous]

This issue has very long history, again, read for yourself and deliberate.

http://www.firebuilders.org/JAmCEC.htm

[Anonymous]

When a party's platform or the position of an individual candidate is in direct opposition to the tenets of the faith, the clergy has a moral obligation to make those issues a point of discussion. Clergy who ignores their obligation should hang up theirrobes because they are not doing their job in leading their flock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have zero issue with church providing religious guidance on their religion's position on various public issues. I have a lot of problem with specifically saying you should vote for one particular candidate.

+1

It is the function of a church to provide moral and spiritual guidance. Often political issues interesect with moral issues. I don't want my Pastor telling me about a particular candidate. I am actually glad to hear what my Pastor says about the official position of the church with respect to any given moral issue.

For those that tune out their Pastor when he talks about abortion, I'm just wondering, where does that line get drawn? How do you pick and choose about which issues you will align yourself with your church's teaching? That seems like a slippery slope to me. If you personally just disagree with a particular teaching, do you just ignore that teaching? Why not find a different chuch whose teaching authority you respect?

Im not meaning to be snarky. Im seriously asking. If you don't submit to the teaching authority of your chuch, isnt it morally imperative that you find a chuch to which you will?

[Anonymous]

I think that the Reverend Pulpit should be free to express political opinions/commands/etc in front of the congregation--as long as s/he is wiling to give up the church's tax exemption for doing so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I received our church newsletter this week and I was really surprised that the newsletter had a large article urging members of the church to look at the Maryland ballot (no not question 6) a certain way and consider voting this way and not that way or that way and not this way.

I don't go to church for political views, I go for worship. I don't need to listen to a sermon about his or her political views.

Would you be annoyed?

Sorry, but "political views" are just a subset of moral views. And religious dogma is applicable.

[Anonymous]

I think that it's completely inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

This is not the middle ages. We do not need a priest to morally guide our vote. We can all read the book ourselves.
Priests and politics do not mix. Never have

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not the middle ages. We do not need a priest to morally guide our vote. We can all read the book ourselves.
Priests and politics do not mix. Never have

If you don't like it don't go to church.