Politics and your church

[Anonymous]

It's been a problem for us. Many Republicans in our church. The only liberal ones we've found are forever harping on LGBT issues, which I think is partly why so many people have abandoned the Democrats. I support LGBT but it's not my primary interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am disappointed in how political my synagogue has become. For the last couple of weeks, and for some time to come, we will be focusing on the story of "pharoah" an authoritarian ruler who stirred up hatred against a small religious minority. And all too often they quote "Do not ill-treat a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in Egypt " I think it is disgusting the way they have politicized the weekly torah reading.

Trump voter, eh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's been a problem for us. Many Republicans in our church. The only liberal ones we've found are forever harping on LGBT issues, which I think is partly why so many people have abandoned the Democrats. I support LGBT but it's not my primary interest.

PP Minister here - I think this is a really important point. My own church started down that same path. I attend a very liberal, progressive Christian church. I would say that at least 90% (if not more) of our members are very supportive of the LGBTQ community. We had diversity workshops and seminars way too often for almost a year. And we had a lot of complaints. Churches need to be mindful of becoming overly focused on any one area. If this is a problem in your church, please talk with your minister. I completely agree that in our effort to be inclusive, we can inadvertently become myopic and miss the needs of our membership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's been a problem for us. Many Republicans in our church. The only liberal ones we've found are forever harping on LGBT issues, which I think is partly why so many people have abandoned the Democrats. I support LGBT but it's not my primary interest.

I agree and I'm really liberal. The transgender focus drives me particularly crazy. This is a tiny percentage of people. And I think it's pretty understandable why a lot of people, most of whom hadn't even heard of transgenderism until like a couple years ago, are hostile to accommodating them. The righteousness over the issue is bewildering to me. A typical person in the middle of the country predictable is either skeptical or indifferent. I don't understand any the Democrats got on a high horse about it (I'm a Democrat) and why some churches do the same.

[Anonymous]

meant, don't understand *why*

[Anonymous]

OP, those not getting political at this time should be ashamed of themselves. This administration poses an existential threat to us all. Wake the fuck up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am disappointed in how political my synagogue has become. For the last couple of weeks, and for some time to come, we will be focusing on the story of "pharoah" an authoritarian ruler who stirred up hatred against a small religious minority. And all too often they quote "Do not ill-treat a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in Egypt " I think it is disgusting the way they have politicized the weekly torah reading.

Trump voter, eh?

Yeah. Hi Jared. And go home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, those not getting political at this time should be ashamed of themselves. This administration poses an existential threat to us all. Wake the fuck up.

Not OP but people look to church for different things. Some people who are very active politically in the rest of their lives go to church to ground themselves in scripture and core teachings -- they don't want to lectured at about current events during that time. Then they leave and do good works. Different strokes.

[Anonymous]

^^ don't want to be

[Anonymous]

I'll answer honestly. I go to an evangelical church and the whole vibe is that things are fine, people are being dramatic and overreacting and people went to the march for life, etc. I won't say who I voted for, but I have to openly admit, that people who voted for Trump do.not.care. one bit about the things he's done so far. If anything, they are thrilled that he is doing the things he promised to. I don't think people in my community care and I don't think they will be riled up until something happens that literally impacts them. This other stuff? Not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll answer honestly. I go to an evangelical church and the whole vibe is that things are fine, people are being dramatic and overreacting and people went to the march for life, etc. I won't say who I voted for, but I have to openly admit, that people who voted for Trump do.not.care. one bit about the things he's done so far. If anything, they are thrilled that he is doing the things he promised to. I don't think people in my community care and I don't think they will be riled up until something happens that literally impacts them. This other stuff? Not a big deal.

PP, of the economy does not improve in 2 years, do you think these people will be disillusioned with Trump? My sense is for a lot of people it just comes downs to the fact that Trump says he's pro-life and for the religious liberty of Christians and nothing else matters. Do you agree?

[Anonymous]

^^^ I meant: *if* the economy does not improve

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am disappointed in how political my synagogue has become. For the last couple of weeks, and for some time to come, we will be focusing on the story of "pharoah" an authoritarian ruler who stirred up hatred against a small religious minority. And all too often they quote "Do not ill-treat a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in Egypt " I think it is disgusting the way they have politicized the weekly torah reading.

Trump voter, eh?

Yeah. Hi Jared. And go home.

I'm not Jared. I don't eat at subway. I don't even ride the subway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll answer honestly. I go to an evangelical church and the whole vibe is that things are fine, people are being dramatic and overreacting and people went to the march for life, etc. I won't say who I voted for, but I have to openly admit, that people who voted for Trump do.not.care. one bit about the things he's done so far. If anything, they are thrilled that he is doing the things he promised to. I don't think people in my community care and I don't think they will be riled up until something happens that literally impacts them. This other stuff? Not a big deal.

PP, of the economy does not improve in 2 years, do you think these people will be disillusioned with Trump? My sense is for a lot of people it just comes downs to the fact that Trump says he's pro-life and for the religious liberty of Christians and nothing else matters. Do you agree?

NP. I absolutely agree. He beat The Devil Herself. That is all that matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's been a problem for us. Many Republicans in our church. The only liberal ones we've found are forever harping on LGBT issues, which I think is partly why so many people have abandoned the Democrats. I support LGBT but it's not my primary interest.

I agree and I'm really liberal. The transgender focus drives me particularly crazy. This is a tiny percentage of people. And I think it's pretty understandable why a lot of people, most of whom hadn't even heard of transgenderism until like a couple years ago, are hostile to accommodating them. The righteousness over the issue is bewildering to me. A typical person in the middle of the country predictable is either skeptical or indifferent. I don't understand any the Democrats got on a high horse about it (I'm a Democrat) and why some churches do the same.

So glad to hear I'm not the only one. I think this one issue probably turned enough voters to put Trump in office. The NYTimes has been relentless in promoting transgender equality. I'm so sick of it that I'm switching my subscription to the Washington Post. I have a transgender in law and I'm fine with him, but the number of people claiming to be trans has gone through the roof in two years. I'm not in favor of treating prepubescent children with powerful hormones to prevent secondary sexual characteristics. The science just isn't there.