On September 28, more than 30 pastors around the country defied the Internal Revenue Service rule that clergy may not engage in partisan politicking from their pulpits. The project, called "Pulpit Freedom Sunday," was organized by the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal group that believes pastors have a constitutional right to preach about politics. The Fund will defend the local pastors against any repercussions from their sermons. One of the participating ministers was Rev. Ron Johnson Jr. of Living Stones Church in Crown Point, Indiana. Listen to an excerpt from his sermon and his explanation of why he was part of this project. Do you think clergy should be allowed to engage in politicking from their pulpits? Where are the lines? Leave a comment below.
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It is ironic that the lectionary assigns the Ten Words for the Sunday following the "Freedom of Speech" Sunday circus--where a connection is made or implied that God approves of one candidate and not another--which strikes me as taking God's name in vain.
Although there may be a legal basis for this position, I don't believe the 40,000 evangelical parachurch organizations nor the tens of thousands of other churches should champion this cause. If one million 501c3 nonprofits plus 350,000 churches had this "right," the few who would choose to exercise this right would cause much division in the Church just when we need to be focused on the essentials and unity in the Body of Christ. It also risks political backlash that would jeopardize some of the benefits of being a charitable organization. Some "rights" are best not exercised for the sake of the common good. I believe this is one of them.
All of this Pastor say they Love Jesus!! And they have so much hate for a Black man!!!! God IS LOVE not HATE!!!!! Sad!!!!
How can he preach that people should not vote for Obama in order that he not be allowed to "rule over you, rule over the nation" and then in the next breath explain how he has the right to disobey IRS laws? It cannot be both ways. His church is known for respecting authority, including the governmental entities placed over us, yet recently disregarded their own town sound ordinances. There is clearly a separation of church and state that isn't being respected. If he would like to express his first amendment rights, please, do so, but not in the church. And if the IRS laws are disregarded, then where will that slippery slope end for other nonprofit organizations that are held to the same standards? His is a hypocritical, agenda driven message.
It should be well noted that JUDAS ISCARIOT tried to use Jesus' ministry as a platform for political and military uprise.
He was in extreme error to say the least.
Jesus rebuked Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane for trying to use force on Jesus' captors putting to rest any misconceived notions that this was some uprising.
There are many other examples where Jesus went to great lengths to distance himself and his ministry from being considered political or military.
I am sickened by many things in the pulpit and find this "vain revolution for political freedom of speech" particularly irreprehensible and contrary to the teachings and overall impetus of Jesus' ministry.
As a sideline note I would also like to point out that none of the candidates are running for office of priest or pastor.
To criticize one politician for being "pro choice" or in favor of stem cell research while giving full support to a candidate who advocates fully the use of war, torture, and nuclear armament not only for defense but also as a " first strike" option, is garbage and contradicts all that Jesus came to establish as his message and legacy.
I would like to add another thought that sacrificing a church's tax exempt status is extremely irresponsible when considering that the minister is being entrusted with money that did not come from him nor belongs to him.
(see all the biblical listings for stewardship).
I would like to charge and challenge all elders and/ or board members to challenge and rebuke your pastor if you feel he is abusing his post of shepherd for the sake of spewing politically in a place that should bring respite from all of this rather than becoming a platform for it.
Remember...America is a democratic republic with the first amendment to the constitution protecting in large part our freedom of speech...
God's Kingdom is NOT a democracy but an absolute monarchy with one true king and emperor.
Jesus NEVER used His authority or exclusive privileges as God's Son to advocate or support any political or military entity.
We need to remember which kingdom we are in and which King we serve.
Free Speech is Free Speech.
Jeremiah Wright, and Fr. Phlager give their
sermons and everyone is satisfied with their
viewpoints because they come from the
liberal Left. But, when a conservative voice
is heard, even though there is Constitutional
grounds for it, the clamor goes up,
"Separation of Church and State, separation
of Church and State!" The separation of Church
and State is not even in the Constitution,
Free Speech is!
Way to go Dr. Ron.
Although, I do not believe that this pastor's message or other messages about politics as it pertains to one's biblical and moral stance and rights should be banned from the pulpit because of the constant misinterpretation of separstion of church and state. I do feel that the pulpit should focus upon the biblical message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we should take our cues from the way Jesus and the Apostles dealt with and addressed goverment and world concerns.
Agree!!! Thank you for standing up for truth
Yes, pastors guide their flocks and should have every right to endorse candidates from the pulpit!
Iam deply offended by the views of Evangelicals. I am a Christian and my feeling is that Christianity is a way of life, Jesus never condemmed anybody.
He said "Judge not lest ye be judged"
He befriended all kinds of people and said "hate not the sinner but the sin.
Forgive them for they know not what they do.All I ever hear from you is condemnation and hate.You have no business preaching who to vote for from the pulpit.You are always preaching about the sanctity of life and yet you elected a presidant that
waged war on innocent people in Iraq.
I practice Christianity every day not just when I go to Church on sunday.I wish you would stop calling yourselves Christians. Jesus was about love not hate.Your radical fundamentalism is the same radical approach of the Muslim terrorists, that hide behind religion to do bad things.Wake up and smell the coffee religions are supposed to bring peace and Love to the world and that is not what you preach.I think it is immoral to preach about politics from the pulpit and then get the protection of "not for profit status which grants you immunity form taxes, shame on you !!
Daniele
I am a Christian and I find Ron Johnson's remarks from the pulpit very divisive, his understanding of Scripture wrongheaded and his reasons distorted. Ron Johnson Jr. is not acting the way Jesus commands us to do -- with love, in peace and for the good of all people.
What I don't understand is how those of you who comment about God being a God of love don't get the whole picture. God is Holy (Pure, without sin, perfect). He hates, yes the H word, Hates sin, evil, disobedience, anything contrary to His holiness. The only way He can look on sinful us is through the redemption of Christ; His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus turned over tables, whipped people, called the religious leaders a brood of vipers. That kind of love hates sin. To mince words where evil is concerned would be to uphold the sin Christ not only condemned but died for. We as Christians need to stand for holiness and love other sinners enough to want them to live lives that are holy. Having leaders who uphold good, true, right philosophies is what we should desire and be bold enough to speak out about.
The labor unions, who are a designated non-for-profit organization, can "encourage" members vote a certain way. Why can't a pastor give his opinion from the pulpit with out the country going nuts?!
I thought free speech was for everyone under the constitution. Is it only free speech for those whose views you approve of?
Thank you Pastor for speaking the truth in love. God condemned His own people that didn't follow truth! Thank you for speaking out for real truth!!!!
Jesus would vote for Obama.
The Truth is very uncomfortable to those who refuse to live by it. The principles of the Word of God are supposed to govern our lives, not just govern the church. How can the left be so blind? It is such a limp reaction to jump and call it "hatred" or "racism". I found nothing of the kind exhibited here. What a pathetic way to live, playing those trump cards whenever you can to immediately discredit the careful study and integrity of people who are truly concerned about their country and the direction it is headed. Pray, hear from God, and vote accordingly!
woooo!!!!! go pastor! he really knows how to speak the truth
As a child I was taught by YOU not to judge any type of people. My grandparents, aunt, uncle, and mother, who truly beilved in the word that you spoke-judged, never thought that you would ever put things the way that you would have, espically including ALL types of christians. My husband who is a sergant in the US ARMY, is about to deploy to Afganistan, was at first also, a McCain supporter. Till he realzed that everthing that Mccain has to support (including The Iraq-Afganistan Wars, catching our terriouts , abortions; and gay marriages) that nothing has not been done yet, nor has there been any change after EIGHT years of REPUBLICAN presidancy. That is why WE HAVE ALL DECDIDED TODAY to vote for the RIGHT christian BARRACK OBAMA.
if you take public money, which the church essentially does by not paying taxes, you can *always* expect it to come with strings attached. don't like it? pay taxes and say what you want.