With all that’s going on in America, we are in a desperate situation and should be shouting in unity for God to shed His grace upon our nation.
Instead, the voice of division is screaming louder and louder as many mock and ridicule the existence of God, not to mention our need for His grace and mercy in these stressful times, and the greater difficulties we will face in the days ahead.
The most appalling is the voice of division coming from the religious community; specifically the Christians—evangelicals, conservatives, fundamentalists, liberals, and every other label they can come up with to promote their agendas, religious prejudices, and racial biases, all in the name of God, and the bible.
You would think that if we all believe in one faith, one baptism, and one Lord, based upon the gospel of Jesus Christ, there wouldn’t be such divisiveness being publicized about one issue, or one’s disagreement over a candidate’s decision not to impose his personal values and beliefs on individuals. Did they forget that God Himself gives people free will to choose? Freedom of choice is a privilege given by the Creator. Man makes his own decisions—right or wrong.
My question is this: Why in this year’s presidential election did these pastors decide to break the IRS rule to endorse a candidate, and publicly tell their parishioners who to vote for as the candidate of choice? This law has been in effect over 50 years, but this year is the year of radical defiance. What is it about this picture? Take another look… 
I know, I know! The “R” word always comes up! So here goes. Could it be that because the presidential candidacy is between a black man and a white man that this is now a cause to fight for “freedom of speech from the pulpit” although this IRS law prohibiting political endorsements by churches, and nonprofit/charities, or lose the tax-exempt status has been in place for fifty plus years?
McCain and Obama aren’t the first candidates to disagree on social issues. They both confess they are Christian by believing in and accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. So why is it so critical now to defy a government law to make a point of telling people who to vote for? Could it be that these pastors would rather defy a government law, which the bible says is rebelling against God, and risk loss because they want to publicly and explicitly say don’t vote for a black man to be president of the United States? And God help any black preacher that’s been distracted by this political game of religious intimidation.
Ummm… What do you think? I think this presidential election is exposing the hypocrisy and hatred that’s been hidden deeply in the heart of people who call themselves devout evangelicals and conservatives. What happen to just being Christian anyway?
The more I listen and observe to the evangelicals and conservatives I’m convinced these are only labels to identify their subtle prejudices, and double standards. It seems they only teach against abortion and homosexuality. What a farce! Could it be a disguise to cover up sins of the heart? Jesus dealt with the “whole” man and all the issues of life. He didn’t teach hate but love, he didn’t promote division, but prayed that we be One as He and the Father are One. The one thing he did hate was hypocrisy—talking the talk but not walking the walk (Matthew 23:1-33). This is the kind of hypocrisy that will be exposed (Luke 12:1-20), and in the end God’s purposes will prevail.
These kinds of pulpit politics from pastors under the pretense of religion and Christianity are really a slap in the face to their parishioners. It really says that their congregants are incapable of making their own decisions. I hope they’re intelligent enough to think and decide for themselves.
Truth is, if prejudice and hatred are motives for this need to defy the federal law they will suffer the consequences justly. As spiritual leaders and pastors, instead of promoting division among Christians, they should be encouraging people to vote God-conscious in accordance with the Bible that they supposedly take “literally”— Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Besides, it’s your right to vote for whomever you want. But be truthful about it. Just say you voting for John McCain because he’s white. Don’t try to “spiritualize” it. The real issue is not about whom you’re voting for. It’s about the truth. If you say you’re teaching the bible, the bible is Truth.
I advocate for truth. Guess what? The truth is, I’m voting for Barack Obama; he’s Christian and he’s black. There. I said it! Hey! But I made that decision myself. Besides, I’ve been voting for white men for the past thirty (30) years. I didn’t have a choice, other than to not exercise my voting rights. Couldn’t do that; too many sacrificed their life for me not to exercise the rights finally given to me to vote. So I voted for white men.
Another truth? If Barack were a republican, I’d still vote for him. So I’ll exercise my freedom of choice. When does “freedom” of speech override “freedom” of choice? Why can’t these pastors give their congregation the dignity of personal decision? Why can’t these evangelicals and conservatives let people follow their own heart and stop sending emails, and prophetic words to persuade and promote a McCain/Palin ticket?
Herein is the same egotistical spirit of religion, which blinded the Pharisees and Sadducees from accepting Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah because He didn’t measure up to their standards, or meet their expectations. He didn’t appeal their class. He didn’t agree with them. He certainly didn’t speak their language because His message of truth exposed their lies, hatred, hypocrisy, rebellion, and piousness.
It is a mockery to say you’re defending the faith and teaching the Bible by breaking the law. The Bible is clear in Romans 13:1-2, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” So, now Pastor Jody Hice, since you take the Bible literally how do you and your fellow clergymen, and the Allied Defense Fund justify breaking a federal regulations based on this above Scripture?
