Church and State

[Texas_Tickle]

America has a law regarding the merger of Church and State, so do you think it's a problem when any political candidate goes to a church, with the intent of soliciting votes?

Do you think it's wrong for a churh reverend/pastor/preist to endorse a candidate?

Do you think it's wrong for a church, as a whole, to endorse a candidate?

Do you think it's wrong, under the Church/State laws, for a politician to accept a donation from a Church?

 

[TicklingDuo]

The Church/State laws were intended to keep the gov't from being controled by one church. That is a good thinig. However, I do feel that it is intended and important for churches to speak their mind when it comes to the issues effecting those they serve. They have an obligation to the very faith they preach to speak out if there is cause for concern. So, if a candidate is running who can better serve to correct those things, I think churches have an obligation to speak up in support of them in any way they can...while making it clear why it is that they do.

As for money, it's the same as any other special interest group when looked at technically. Candidates always get money from them.

Ann

 

[tickled_a_lot]

A religious leader has just as much right as a teacher, professional athlete, construction worker, or secretary to speak his/her mind. They are protected by the same rights as every other American. The purpose of separation of church and state is to prevent people from having religious beliefs/actions forced upon them -- which is extremely important.

 

[BigJim]

A religious leader has just as much right as a teacher, professional athlete, construction worker, or secretary to speak his/her mind. They are protected by the same rights as every other American. The purpose of separation of church and state is to prevent people from having religious beliefs/actions forced upon them -- which is extremely important.

Ah, but I think the question was more about whether they should air a view on behalf of the congregation, rather than their own personal opinions.

 

[BigJim]

America has a law regarding the merger of Church and State, so do you think it's a problem when any political candidate goes to a church, with the intent of soliciting votes?

Depends. A church is often a focal point for a community, so I would'nt have thought it would be unusual or bad practice for a politician to speak to a church group. It doesn't necessarilly mean that the organisation has any sway over the political process after all.

Do you think it's wrong for a churh reverend/pastor/preist to endorse a candidate?

If it was flat out endoresement, then yes. I don't say that because I disagree with politcal discussion in churches, but because it MAY lay open the religious organisation to accusations of bribery etc. Not necessarilly true of course, but you have to walk on eggs with these things.

Do you think it's wrong for a church, as a whole, to endorse a candidate?

Yes! Healthy discussion about how politics of a certain kind will affect a congregation is a very healthy thing. But throwing weight behind a candidate in particular is unhealthy for the process, unless it's made patently clear that the organisation only speaks for itself. Conventional religion is much more prevalent in america than it is in most other western countries though, so discussion of politics within a church, isn't a bad thing in itself.

Do you think it's wrong, under the Church/State laws, for a politician to accept a donation from a Church?

Yes again! But it's nothing to do with it being religion and politics mixing this time. I think politicians being given donations from any large body is morally wrong, because people with big chequebooks for sponsoring political campaigns, own politicians asses. That debt is always repaid with interest; no matter who or what made the donation. That is largely why our system has so much indemic corruption.

 

[BigJim]

The Church/State laws were intended to keep the gov't from being controled by one church. That is a good thinig. However, I do feel that it is intended and important for churches to speak their mind when it comes to the issues effecting those they serve. They have an obligation to the very faith they preach to speak out if there is cause for concern. So, if a candidate is running who can better serve to correct those things, I think churches have an obligation to speak up in support of them in any way they can...while making it clear why it is that they do.

As for money, it's the same as any other special interest group when looked at technically. Candidates always get money from them.

Ann

I'd agree with just about all of that. I definatley believe churches could funtion as a mouthpiece for concerns of their congregation. I think in America in particular, it would be a very effective way of doing such. I don't believe however that they should use their position, to further their own causes unfairly, or make donations. That last one is nothing to do with politics and religion mixing. It's to do with the whole system of political campaigns and donations being inherantly corrupt.