Pulpit and Politics

[Billie Goodson]

Just out of curiousity -- one thing that still continues to bother me on this forum is that we seem to talk more about politics than theology. Now, I know this is probably just a gross overstatement on my part. I just wonder, is this forum a good place for some to vent their political thoughts? I personally would be extremely uncomfortable if from the pulpit, my pastor focused on the politics of the world. So in saying that, is it that some pastors need to vent on this forum because they feel they should not from the pulpit, or even with congregants? Or, am I just out in left field here?

[Mike Wooldridge]

This isn't theTheology Forum. I religiously avoid that Forum. :q)

[Gary Swartzlander]

Just out of curiousity -- one thing that still continues to bother me on this forum is that we seem to talk more about politics than theology. Now, I know this is probably just a gross overstatement on my part. I just wonder, is this forum a good place for some to vent their political thoughts? I personally would be extremely uncomfortable if from the pulpit, my pastor focused on the politics of the world. So in saying that, is it that some pastors need to vent on this forum because they feel they should not from the pulpit, or even with congregants? Or, am I just out in left field here?

There are no rules against discussing theology on this forum, the theology forum was started for that purpose because it is a topic that only appeals to a certain number of participants. I know of nothing to prevent theology from being discussed here, but the better discussion will be had on the Theology board. Political discussion will more likely happen on the Current Events forum. Nobody is trying to avoid it, it's just placed for those who have specific interests in those areas to narrow down the discussion.

[Bob Evans]

Billie

I also think there are movements in evangelical circles which blend theology and politics. Focus on the fmaily is one. In our town Reb bell just preached a sermon called God is green. Bumper stickers are showing up all over town.

The gospel by its very nature is a call to engage the world in some way with another way at looking at things. Politics are wound into that tightly.

Personally I am not sure how much politics we need in fact for my tastes the less the better. I just think the world needs Jesus more than anything else.

In all this I am reminded of the man in one of my churches who protested everything Focus on the family and all those organizations said to protest but would have nothing to do with his neighbor who had 6 children because he had more important things to do.

[Billie Goodson]

Billie

I also think there are movements in evangelical circles which blend theology and politics. Focus on the fmaily is one. In our town Reb bell just preached a sermon called God is green. Bumper stickers are showing up all over town.

The gospel by its very nature is a call to engage the world in some way with another way at looking at things. Politics are wound into that tightly.

Personally I am not sure how much politics we need in fact for my tastes the less the better. I just think the world needs Jesus more than anything else.

In all this I am reminded of the man in one of my churches who protested everything Focus on the family and all those organizations said to protest but would have nothing to do with his neighbor who had 6 children because he had more important things to do.

I don't attend church at Focus on the Family. It is a social movement, not a movement of the Church. If Focus on the Family holds any regular services, I am not aware of that. That is somewhat different than Rob Bell, but, since I frankly don't agree with Rob Bell (not necessarily about the God is Green part, just his overall theology) I will leave that at what it is. I would offer that he could do a very effective God is Green message and leave the politics out of it. As I have said, I see it is a stewardship issue, politics can be left completely out.

Your second paragraph is interesting -- a thread on here a while ago had some interesting discussion where some seemed to take the stand that what you are suggesting is not the "in" thing.

[Billie Goodson]

There are no rules against discussing theology on this forum, the theology forum was started for that purpose because it is a topic that only appeals to a certain number of participants. I know of nothing to prevent theology from being discussed here, but the better discussion will be had on the Theology board. Political discussion will more likely happen on the Current Events forum. Nobody is trying to avoid it, it's just placed for those who have specific interests in those areas to narrow down the discussion.

I may have confused the issue with my use of the word forum. I take Naznet to be one forum with categories. As you are stating, the way naznet is structured is under Naznet, there are forums. So, your discussion is aligned along that understanding. My main intent would have been more accurately reflected if I had said "on this board" or "on Naznet". I originally came to this board hoping for the theology discussion, but, now do that elsewhere for the most part.

[Gina Stevenson]

This isn't theTheology Forum. I religiously avoid that Forum. :q)

Well, I don't, because sometimes I'm not even sure on which forum I am posting. Viewing things in the "New Posts" format, I click on several of interest, read them, respond if I "need(?)" to ... and often don't bother to go back to the top of the page to see what the forum name is. ;)

[John Kennedy]

Have you checked Naznet's Theology board? There seem to be a wide variety of theological topics there, and if there is anything you wish to discuss that isn't there, all you need to do is post and you probably hear from someone on it. Another good theological discussion board is Dennis Bratcher's at www.cresourcei.org. From time to time topics get started on this board and are moved by the moderators to a more appropriate setting.

[Wilson L. Deaton]

"... those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means.” --Gandhi

This is true because politics is the tool by which we often act on issues like immigration, climate change, the war, etc.

Using a narrower definition--endorsing particular candidates or pushing a particular party--politics have no place in the pulpit.

Wilson

[Billie Goodson]

Have you checked Naznet's Theology board? There seem to be a wide variety of theological topics there, and if there is anything you wish to discuss that isn't there, all you need to do is post and you probably hear from someone on it. Another good theological discussion board is Dennis Bratcher's at www.cresourcei.org. From time to time topics get started on this board and are moved by the moderators to a more appropriate setting.

Yes John, I have checked there in the past. I just find that most of my interests are not met there. I am not familiar with Dennis', but there are others I participate in regularly.

[Ian Gentles]

Politics are hard to keep out of the pulpit. There are two extremes, the pulpit that has political agendas, and the pulpit that dosent even touch on major happenings! Pulpit however is primarily spiritual, this should be it aim, but spiritually it has a right, not party politics, to bring spiritual agenda to politics.

[Billie Goodson]

Well, I don't, because sometimes I'm not even sure on which forum I am posting. Viewing things in the "New Posts" format, I click on several of interest, read them, respond if I "need(?)" to ... and often don't bother to go back to the top of the page to see what the forum name is. ;)

I have done that too Gina -- us guys have to be careful, next thing you know, we are wondering around in the W2W forum....:eek:



Using a narrower definition--endorsing particular candidates or pushing a particular party--politics have no place in the pulpit.

Wilson

I think that narrow definition fits my expectations -- not that mine are right or wrong. I think some of the responses here really help me understand why sometimes it seems politically charged in here....

[Ian Gentles]

LOL i remember in old days it was very politically charged, almost all out war sadly. The boards are much kinder now. :)

http://iangentles.livejournal.com

[Bob Evans]

Billie

I reread your thread and realized I didn't answer the question .I guess sometime I just like to hear myself talk.

I think politics and endorcements have no place in the church. In general I think politics asks good questions with painfully inperfect answers. Questions of justice and helping the poor are questions that both politics and church address for different reasons.

Ministers don't come without backgrounds. And in the name of ministering to a republican congregation if your a democrat and ministering to a democratic congregation the focus on the questions must be as political neutral as possible. Real answers come in the message of the gospel and that ought to always be our focus.

So after saying all that I think I agree with you. If we beleive that Jesus is the answerthan am not sure there can be another motivation for discussing politics than the one you suggested.

[Billie Goodson]

Ministers don't come without backgrounds. And in the name of ministering to a republican congregation if your a democrat and ministering to a democratic congregation the focus on the questions must be as political neutral as possible. Real answers come in the message of the gospel and that ought to always be our focus.

So after saying all that I think I agree with you. If we beleive that Jesus is the answerthan am not sure there can be another motivation for discussing politics than the one you suggested.

Despite what some may proclaim (I am going way outside the Nazarene circle here), I believe that pastors are human -- and I think the pastor/congregant friendship thread on here helped me realize some things that I may have previously just ignored -- but, I think you are correct Bob. Maybe Naznet serves at that way for pastors and some others to discuss politics in an environment where they can finally get it out. I wonder if that makes their positions sometimes seem much more polarizing than what they really are. I would guess that we all might be a little more moderate than our writings reveal -- that does not mean left or right, just not as far left or right as we write. Just thinking out loud.

[William Hunter]

This is not a racist statement but just an observation of fact. In many black church in and around the Chicago area, black pastors often tell their people who to vote for and who not to vote for. Jessie Jackson's pastor does this every election time (his last name is Meeks). I hear on TV when I happen to have him on. If we white pastors tried that, especially on TV, we would be arrested and our churches would lose their tax exempt status.




"... those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means.” --Gandhi

This is true because politics is the tool by which we often act on issues like immigration, climate change, the war, etc.

Using a narrower definition--endorsing particular candidates or pushing a particular party--politics have no place in the pulpit.

Wilson