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by gimini210 from Independence

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Seperation Of Church And State
Jun 26, 2008 | 8:50 PM
Category: Political
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When is a church crossing the line and preaching politics? How do we know when the line is crossed and if it is why are they still tax exempt? This political race has introduced a whole new areana to explore. I would like an answer to is it a political statement when a minister brings it in with a candidates name? Or the political history of our country? Or just when? For example when (copied from Fox embeds blog May 30th 2008 written by Aaron Burns),

Father Michael Pfleger, who has his own Chicago church described on his website as a “Word-based, Bible teaching African American Catholic Church,” told the congregation at Trinity that Clinton had engaged in “white entitlement and supremacy” that must be exposed.

“When Hillary was crying, and people said that was put on, I really don’t believe it was put on. I really believe that she just always thought, ‘This is mine. I’m Bill’s wife. I’m white. And this is mine. I just got to get up and step into the plate.’” he said.

“And then out of nowhere came, hey, I’m Barack Obama. And she said, ‘Oh damn, where did you come from? I’m white. I’m entitled. There’s a black man stealing my show.’” Those remarks were mockingly performed in a falsetto, and drew a standing ovation.

Is that political? Or when they start to come right out and tell the congregation how to vote? I was looking up something when I came across this older artical then went to fox and looked further and began to wonder. If one or two or a dozen churches can do this then can all churches do it? Say can an Angelical church make fun of Obama? Can a Cathlic priest? I guess I am confused as to where the lines are drawn. Does anyone know? If any church can do this then all churches should be able to do the same thing and still keep the tax exempt statist. So who has the answer to this one or is it another time we just do not bring these actions up?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 17
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StephentheHeathen read my blog view my photos
Jun 27, 2008 | 11:44 AM

Jesus wasn't political.

Then why are his followers political?
RabidAnglophile read my blog
Jun 27, 2008 | 12:42 PM

The last place I want to hear about politics is in my church.

BTW, are there really Angelical churches? :)
DogJ read my blog
Jun 27, 2008 | 3:28 PM

Separation of Church and State applies only to the Government. The Framers' intent was to protect the church from the state, not the state from the church. The "preaching" within a church is protected by Free of Speech.
My Pastor has often expressed views, (usually the churches official stance), on a topic. I listen and then caution him about crossing the Church and State line. He smiles and wishes me a glorious Sunday:-)
gimini210 read my blog view my photos
Jun 27, 2008 | 6:48 PM

I just looked it up and you are right DogJ so the churches can preach politics and the government can not interfer. Do you know how many churches do not know this? I know I didn't because I was taught it was a two way street. In order to be tax exempt you had to keep politics out but it is the other way around, the government has to stay out. How interesting. I need to study more. I am learning on a daily basis here. Thanks alot I really appreciate this tid bit.
linecrosser read my blog
Jun 28, 2008 | 8:44 PM

While the Bible says not to get involved in politics, it does say to pay attention to what's going on in the world. I believe it is every Christians duty to know what is going on, and to warn others. Not to do so is being negligent. How is anyone going to be able to watch for the signs, if they're not paying attention to the geopolitical goings on. Just the slightest analysis of world events would drive anyone crazy trying to figure out the idiotic decisions being made by world leaders. To make any sense of it all you have to look to the Bible and see that that what is happening is nothing more that the Book of Revelation coming to pass. It is then very easy to see that the world is dissolving its borders, in favor of the one world government. Relax we've only got at the most ten or twelve years left, if that long. Cool.
Searchingtoo read my blog view my photos
Jun 29, 2008 | 8:20 AM

The term Separation of Church and State is the invention of the American Communist Lawyers Union.

The First Amendment Reads Like This:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

That means that they cannot make laws establish their own religion and prevent others from establishing a different religion and exercising it.

The ACLU forced the term Seperation of Church and State, not the constitution. There is no reason under the constitution that we should not be able to display things like the 10 Commandments on government property.

They would like nothing more than to have the name GOD and anything associated with it wiped from the face of this planet.
linecrosser read my blog
Jun 29, 2008 | 2:15 PM

Searching, well put, wouldn't you like to scream it form the roof tops. Keep it up. One mind at a time.
gimini210 read my blog view my photos
Jun 29, 2008 | 3:17 PM

I think the far left is trting to desinsify every one with the curseing and sex and muders on TV, and movies so our youth no longer have true values. That swearing in public in front of children and who ever is exceptable and look at the kids having kids. We have a problem with the seperation of church and state. I think the state needs a little, ok alot, of church.
Searchingtoo read my blog view my photos
Jun 30, 2008 | 7:39 AM

One roof top at a time.. for the rest of my life Linecrosser..
rockslide read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 3:24 PM

The line is when a church goes from preaching about politics in general and topics in general to using the pulpit to actually recommned or endorse specific candidates or tell people how they must vote in election.

As tax exempt entities they cannot be involved in cadidate politics. That is why when a candidate speaks at a church they are very general speaches about ideas and not "vote for me"

I truly believe that ALL churches should be stripped of tax exempt status as well as all other companies tax exempt and then free them to say and do as they please. And then everyone pays equally and can have the same freedom to do everything equally
gimini210 read my blog view my photos
Jul 1, 2008 | 4:41 PM

Thanks rockslide. Not sure if I agree with the tax stats but I wanted to know where the lines are drawn.
rockslide read my blog
Jul 2, 2008 | 4:05 PM

personally i feel if we have income taxes then ALL Americans and American Businesses should pay taxes. Why should you be exempt just because your business is God or Healthcare?
gimini210 read my blog view my photos
Jul 2, 2008 | 5:55 PM

Because of seperation of church and state. If the state steps in then they can start passing laws for the church so niether should mix.
Busybee read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 4:32 PM

Churches are tax exempt because they are non-for-profit. Many churches are resources for people looking for food and financial help. Our church is located not far from the freeway and you wouldn't believe the transients and travelers that come to our church for help. Our church is not a "mega church" and not a wealthy church. We are about reaching out to lost souls and helping those in need. I don't understand why some of you are down on churches.
gimini210 read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 8:30 PM

I am not down on churches, I am just curious how some churches get away with preaching politics and keeping their tax exempt. I grew up a PK so believe me I am not against churches. I am more critical of teachings in them because my father, and 3 Uncles' were ministers. I am curious as to where the lines are drawn and who draws them. I know the Bible clearly says that mans laws and politics were not to be interwoven with the churches. But where does the legal system draw the lines?
Busybee read my blog
Jul 6, 2008 | 8:21 AM

I guess I've not been exposed to that side of it. I've never heard preaching that tries to dictate who you should vote for. Just general information and caution to listen and know as much as you can about the candidate of your choice. At best, I don't know that even then we KNOW about the candidate. They tell you what they think you want to hear to get the votes. The legal system has strick guidelines for churches to maintain their exempt status and I think most of them stay within those guidelines. That same legal system is now trying to dictate what ministers preach and threatening to arrest those who would preach God's views on homosexuality, saying they are preaching "hate". We need to be very careful here. Right now we live in a country where we are free to worship. There are those who would take that freedom away from us. A few have already managed to take prayer out of the schools (and you can see what that has accomplished). In God We Trust is now on the outer edge of a coin where it isn't easily seen (I see that as "patronizing" to keep those who object to dropping that off the currency quiet). I for one want our currency left alone. I'm proud to be a Christian and to say I live in a country that was founded on RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. When we put GOD back in control THEN we may see some positive changes in this country. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
gimini210 read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 5:13 PM

I was just on a christian blog and I was puzzled by some of the post. I guess I was raised where you just did not judge until you had all the facts and knew them to be truth. It is very hard to understand how some think of God and government.
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gimini210

I am a reformed democrat now republican and mother of 5, have 10 grandchildren and one greatgrand child. I have lived all over the US and love to sit on docks and fish. Waiting for the big one. I love my family and a good joke, reading and painting. My siblings all think I need to be taken care of as do my children and I'm the oldest so don't know why. I watch Fox 4 News because you are about the fairest all around on T.V.

Member Since: 6/28/2007


 

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