GOP bill would ease enforcement of political activity by churches

[rlvaughn]

GOP bill would ease enforcement of political activity by churches

House Republicans added a provision to a spending bill that would bar funds for the IRS to enforce the law prohibiting churches and other nonprofits from endorsing political candidates.

"None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the Internal Revenue Service to make a determination that a church, an integrated auxiliary of a church, or a convention or association of churches is not exempt from taxation for participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office unless," the provision reads.

 

[Revmitchell]

I do not endorse candidates. I had some church members mad at me because I would not endorse Trump. We can preach on the issues without endorsing political candidates who may at some time fail.

 

[Cinnamon Apples]

Let's hope this passes.
Atheist activist groups are using the current prohibition of political speech from the pulpit to bully churches and for some time now.
Notice they don't pursue that activity that occurs in mosques?

 

[rlvaughn]

I do not endorse candidates.

I do not endorse candidates, and recommend pastors stay out of that business. On the other hand, I also think it is none of the government's business if a pastor or church chooses to do so.

 

[tyndale1946]

I do not endorse candidates, and recommend pastors stay out of that business. On the other hand, I also think it is none of the government's business if a pastor or church chooses to do so.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Politics has no business in the church... The duty of any pastor is to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified... Politics and the pulpit are not yokefellows... Those are my thoughts... During church is one thing, after church is a different matter, or is it?... Brother Glen

Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

 

[rlvaughn]

I agree, but my point is that each church, rather than our government, should decide what is the business of the church. That is why we have "Congress shall make no law..."

 

[Salty]

Should a pastor preach for/against:

(In alphabetical order)

1) Abortion
2) Balance budget
3) Death Penalty
4) English as the Official language
5) Global Warming
6) Immigration - ie deporting illegals
7) Mandatory maternity leave
8) Marriage - one man -one women
9) Obamacare
10) Public education
11) Second Amendment
12) Serving in the Military
13) Social Security
14) Taxpayer funded child care
15) Term limits
16) UN out of the US
17) Welfare/food stamps, ect

 

[Squire Robertsson]

#1 & #8 are fair targets to be addressed from the pulpit. Though, preachers in following Our Lord's admonition to Peter in the last chapter of John and feed His sheep a balanced diet. Majoring on 1 & 8 would lead to an unbalanced diet.

 

[tyndale1946]

I agree, but my point is that each church, rather than our government, should decide what is the business of the church. That is why we have "Congress shall make no law..."

Since you Brother Robert, Revmitchell, Salty, and The Squire are all pastors and I am not, I will let you Christian brethren hash it out... This was just my thoughts from the pew... I shall kindly excuse myself from this discussion and watch from the sidelines... Brother Glen

 

[Salty]

Since you Brother Robert, Revmitchell, Salty, and The Squire are all pastors and I am not, I will let you Christian brethren hash it out... This was just my thoughts from the pew... I shall kindly excuse myself from this discussion and watch from the sidelines... Brother Glen

Tyndale - would you want your pastor to preach on any of the items listed back on post# 7? Are there any, that you would have a discussion with him - that "lets stay away from that"

 

[Salty]

Should a pastor preach for/against:

(In alphabetical order)

YES 1) Abortion
2) Balance budget
YES 3) Death Penalty
4) English as the Official language
5) Global Warming
6) Immigration - ie deporting illegals
7) Mandatory maternity leave ----- From the point - that mothers (normally) should be home with the baby
YES 8) Marriage - one man -one women
9) Obamacare
10) Public education--- From the point that parents need to be involved - and possibly homeschool/Christian School
11) Second Amendment
12) Serving in the Military
13) Social Security
14) Taxpayer funded child care ---From the point - that mothers (normally) should be home with the baby
15) Term limits
16) UN out of the US
17) Welfare/food stamps, ect You dont work - you dont eat ( those who cannot work - the church should help)

Note: lack of statement does not necessary mean I am for or against mentioning it in from the pulpit.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

When did I ever claim to be a "pastor"? Preacher and teacher at times and undergradute pastoral training, yes. But to formally hold the office of pastor, no.

The Squire are all pastors

 

[tyndale1946]

When did I ever claim to be a "pastor"? Preacher and teacher at times and undergradute pastoral training, yes. But to formally hold the office of pastor, no.

To me a minister and pastor are the same thing... In our church you could also be an Elder or a preacher... I got this off your profile page... Maybe you need to explain it to me... Brother Glen

Minister of The Gospel and Squire of Lower Ducis A

 

[Squire Robertsson]

In my circle, "pastor" denotes serving a particular congregation in a specified capacity. IOW, a pastor must be a minister. But, a minister is not necessarily a pastor.

To me a minister and pastor are the same thing... In our church, you could also be an Elder or a preacher... I got this off your profile page... Maybe you need to explain it to me... Brother Glen

Minister of The Gospel and Squire of Lower Ducis A

 

[tyndale1946]

Tyndale - would you want your pastor to preach on any of the items listed back on post# 7? Are there any, that you would have a discussion with him - that "lets stay away from that"

You do not know The Old Line Primitive Baptist mindset... A Preachers, preaching better be about the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ... I was raised in a Sovereign Grace Primitive Baptist Church and the dear saints I was privileged to worship with wanted to hear about their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ... They know all about the outside world and don't want to be reminded of it... I heard a preacher get off topic one time and one the brothers comment, he's stopped preaching and gone to meddling... I heard a story of another one who got into the pulpit and said, I don't what I'm going to preach about this morning or how long?... One old sister in the congregation piped in and said... Speak about Jesus for 15 minutes, then sit down... You asked the question, would I want my pastor to speak on any of the subjects mentioned in post 7?... Only number 8... The rest I think we can discuss over coffee in the kitchen or during lunch... We may be in the world but not of the world... Btw Salty... I can tell you have never been in an Old Line Primitive Baptist Church... Don't take my word for it... All I can say is... Come And See... Brother Glen

 

[Salty]

... Btw Salty... I can tell you have never been in an Old Line Primitive Baptist Church... Don't take my word for it... All I can say is... Come And See... Brother Glen

I have only been to one Primitive Bap -in Atlanta, GA; they were having a revival - - but that was back in 1971 - so long ago - I have no ideal what the message was about.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

Tyndale, I definitely do not travel in OPB circles. I do, however, live in Metro San Francisco. So, subject #8 gets referred to from time to time from the pulpit. Most regularly around the G*y Pride Parade which massively disrupts the traffic making it hard for us to get to Sunday morning services.

 

[rsr]

Should a pastor preach for/against:

There are a few things on the list that I consider major moral issues. The others are perspectives from a particular political perspective. I worry about preachers who can't tell the difference.

Several months ago I attended a "worship service" at which the preacher seemed to think he was at a Ted Cruz rally (and I know what one is like). I left early. I didn't want to attend a Ted Cruz rally; I wanted to go to church. At another meeting he told the sound guy to turn off the recording because he wanted to talk about homosexuals.

Some time later, a preacher made a comment about folks being bewildered by the political situation and offhandedly mentioned something about Trump. At a small group meeting, one of the folks interpreted it as an attack on conservatives (or Trump, or Republicans, take your pick) and said someone should explain to the preacher that one couldn't be a Democrat and a Christian.

So, yes, I believe aggressive politics in the church is corrosive.

Should the federal government be taken out of the loop? Sure. But we all know that religious folks who want to endorse a candidate or a position can do so without saying it in so many words. Rod Parsley, for example, claimed credit for winning Ohio for Bush II. The feds did not lift a finger against him.

 

[tyndale1946]

I have only been to one Primitive Bap -in Atlanta, GA; they were having a revival - - but that was back in 1971 - so long ago - I have no ideal what the message was about.

Must have been the Black brethren and they could have been Progressives... Maybe Brother Robert can back me up on this, I know Primitive Baptist were very active in Texas in 1971, I had kinfolk back there... Primitive Baptist Associations or what we call 5th Sunday meetings I've heard of, but never a revival... Then again there are all factions of Baptist, even Primitive Baptist... Brother Glen

 

[Salty]

Must have been the Black brethren and they could have been Progressives... Maybe Brother Robert can back me up on this, I know Primitive Baptist were very active in Texas in 1971, I had kinfolk back there... Primitive Baptist Associations or what we call 5th Sunday meetings I've heard of, but never a revival... Then again there are all factions of Baptist, even Primitive Baptist... Brother Glen

No - was a white church - guessing over 100 in attendance -- was a weekday night.