Religious Politically Active Organizations
I received an e-mail overnight from James Dobson. It was part of a mass e-mailing from Focus on the Family Action. You've heard of Focus on the Family but have you heard of Focus on the Family Action? It is a nonpartisan issue-advocacy organization. You can read more about the organization here.
The e-mail I received highlighted differences between Harold Ford, Jr. (D) and Bob Corker (R). They are the candidates for the senate seat in Tennessee being vacated by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. While the e-mail said it was only pointing out the differences, it clearly was pro-Bob Corker and anti-Harold Ford, Jr.
What do you think about religious organizations (Focus, Family Research Council, the Southern Baptist Convention through the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, etc.) being directly involved with individual campaigns? Should the organizations be involved in shaping the conversation about faith and politics or is it okay for them to target individual races? I think it is an important difference and something to talk about. Is there a line that is being crossed? I haven't decided my own answers to these questions.
This week we'll look more at the mid-term elections. Things will heat up significantly over the next several days.
Jerome
The e-mail I received highlighted differences between Harold Ford, Jr. (D) and Bob Corker (R). They are the candidates for the senate seat in Tennessee being vacated by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. While the e-mail said it was only pointing out the differences, it clearly was pro-Bob Corker and anti-Harold Ford, Jr.
What do you think about religious organizations (Focus, Family Research Council, the Southern Baptist Convention through the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, etc.) being directly involved with individual campaigns? Should the organizations be involved in shaping the conversation about faith and politics or is it okay for them to target individual races? I think it is an important difference and something to talk about. Is there a line that is being crossed? I haven't decided my own answers to these questions.
This week we'll look more at the mid-term elections. Things will heat up significantly over the next several days.
Jerome
posted by Jerome at 8:21 AM
2 Comments:
My initial response is "yes." Christian organizations should be politically active. But as I read the New Testament, I see that this was not the case for the 1st century church. Is it because they were essentially captives of the Roman Empire and had no say? Or was it because such matters detracted from the cause of reaching the world with the Gospel?
I'm leaning toward the latter. I'm beginning to understand that we really cannot hope to sway the political and social tides of our century. Perhaps Focus and other Christian organizations should turn their full energies on the Great Commision and our Lord's other directives--feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc. The tremendous amount of energy it takes to tackle political issues can only take away from our impact on the social.
I've oversimplified in this little box I have to write in, but it's an interesting debate.
Hi Jerome,
Thanks for stopping by my site!
As to your question, should Christian organization be involved politically.
Tough one. Yes in the sense we all have a right to get involved in our government. Certainly gay rights organizations get involved, and other "special interest" orgs.
The down side is suddenly organizations designed to spread the good news become political forces to be criticized, thus our faith as well.
We can see the dowside of this with Rosey O'Donnell's comment about right wing Christianity being as bad as extreme Islam.
We need more prayer. More demonstration of the power of God.
We all to often have a form of Godliness but deny it's power.
:) Rachel
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