Local pastors don't necessarily want politics in pulpit (OK)

[struggle4progress]

By APRIL STONE, Press Staff Writer
Friday, April 8, 2005 5:42 PM CDT

Local clergy don't show the same support as U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn on legislation that would allow politics to be mentioned in church sermons without fear of losing tax-exempt status.

Many church leaders from the Cherokee County area are not in favor of "The Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act," H.R. 235, which Coburn claims would help preserve "our freedom." Coburn expressed his strong support of the bill, written by U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., and said Americans are required "to defend the right of moral and spiritual leaders to speak out on issues of justice and morality without fear of coercion from their own government."

The current law, established in 1954, was proposed by Sen. Lyndon Johnson. It gives the Internal Revenue Service the right to punish a church if it explicitly endorses or opposes a political candidate. The IRS cannot destroy a church for breaking this law, but the church could lose its tax-exempt status. <snip>

"I'm not for it," said one local minister. "I firmly believe in the separation between church and state." <snip>

http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/articles/2005/04/08/news/top_stories/aaaapolitics.txt

[annabanana]

1. hurrah for Pastors of conscience....

Both Churches and States are healthier out of each other's pockets!

[Tux]

3. Go Cherokee!

I'm glad for my Cherokee background more now than before. OK reservation? I should visit that one. Been to the other one already.

[Maat]

2. The smart ones know that preaching about who to vote for ..

from the pulpit ... is a really dumb idea.

I know that if my pastor did - at least half of the congregation would walk out.

[Publius_Syrus]

4. No politics at church

When I attend church, I don't want to hear about who I should vote for or what group I should support. Politics are secular matters, something that should not be taught at church.

[T_i_B]

5. I think there is a lot to be said

for approaching Christianity from an apolitical viewpoint. Both Conservatives and Liberals tend to corrupt the message of the Bible in order to advance their own agendas. Politics needs to be kept away from religion really for the sake of religion. The last thing any religion needs is a surplus of political nuts.

[H2O Man]

6. I have no problem with politics in church.

I do have a problem with politicians pushing their religion. There is a huge difference. The black churches were one of the most progressive social forces during the civil rights movement. That was a good thing.