Pastors and voting

No. The pastor is an independant citizen who has the right to support anyone he wishes.

BTW--I find it strange that the conservative churches are being focused upon in these areas. But John Kerry can go to a liberal church with Sharpton and J. Jackson and somehow that is perfectly legitamate. Go Figure.

Bro Tony

 

I agree it is a back door way. I personally would not do it. I realize that as a pastor we have enfluence on people. There is however, nothing illegal about it. Now if you asked should a pastor do it. My personal opinion would be no.

Bro Tony

 

How about just putting a sticker that said VOTE!

 

Sounds good to me.

Bro Tony

 

Just make sure the bumper sticker says "Vote Bush"!!!!!!



Deborah

 

I made mention to my congregation the other day that when it comes to animals, I prefer elephants over donkeys. A few laughed while the rest had no idea what I was saying. Come to think of it, they seem that way often!

 

Good one spreacher!

I don't think so. I think it would tell me who HE is voting for.

My preacher has a certain logo on his car stating where he bought his car. Is he telling me where to buy mine?

No! He is telling me where he bought HIS.

We have no right to take a Pastor's rights as a human being and a citizen away. Why should everyone in the world be allowed to have political bumper stickers on their cars except Pastors?

(BTW, my Pastor does not sport a bumper sticker, but I would see nothing wrong with it if he did.)

JMHO,
§ue

 

To me, it's not a matter of exerting undue influence. I don't do it, because I wouldn't want to alienate anyone who attends at the church. Not everyone has the same political philosophy I do.

 

I don't know too many Pastors who are afraid that they are having TOO MUCH influence on their congregation. It usually comes as a complete surprise when they ARE listened to.

 

This pastor has a Bush/Cheney sticker on his truck and the wifes car!!!!!!!!!!
Also, everyone in the church knows who I support without me saying a word about it in the pulpit.
If they ask me who I'm voting for I tell them, then I tell them why.
Yet many in the congregation are embarrassed by their vote and even worse, can't tell you why their are voting that way.
Trapper

 

Me and my husband have 2 GW stickers on our car.

My husband says from the pulpit, "I can't tell you who to vote for, but I'll tell ya' that any Christian shouldn't vote for a liberal, baby-killing, gay-marriage supporter." I can proudly say, our congregation is in total agreement every time with a hearty, "AMEN!!"

 

Well, that eliminates Bush and Kerry.

"...The Title X funding level for FY 2001, the last Clinton-influenced budget, was a total of $254 million, of which over $58 million went to planned parenthood

In FY 2002, George W. Bush's first full budget year, the Title X birth/population control and Planned Parenthood funding authorization increased over 11,000,000, to $265 million (HR 3061 for FY 2002, signed by President Bush on 1/10/2002)

In FY 2004, George W. Bush's most recently completed full budget year, the Title X birth/population control and Planned Parenthood funding authorization increased even more to $280 million, over $26,000,000 ($26 million) more than Bill Clinton's last budget year! (HR 2673 for FY 2004, signed by President Bush on 1/23/2004)
..."


Lots more HERE

 

A Pastor has every right to engage in politics without fear of losing his tax exemption if his church is not a "non-profit" and is under the IRS guidelines for a church. I have made mention of voting for GW numerous times. My church and I are active in the Republican party and the IRS/State/Town can do nothing about it.

 

Do you think you are making any progress in bringing the GOP back to conservative and Christian values?

 

Pennsylvania Jim, thanks for the "stats" but the statement is made simply to say that he is not voting for Kerry (hence the "liberal").

 

That would come down to his personal opinion. It would be the same as a yard sign displayed in his yard. He is stating his opinion. In a semon though that is diffrent. Because, he is directing his flock. And, his personal political afflications should not be a factor.

To be hoenst to be a pastor is the greatest and the most challenging job in the world. You have to be impratial and love everyone no matter who they are. Pastor's aren't given the luxury to say, I don't like them. Or it's not supposed to be that way.

 

OK. I hope nobody misconstrues it and thinks that he's pulling for the liberal Bush.

 

Don't you ever give up and let other people have their own opinions?