Member kicked out of Church because of their polical affiliation

This could have been placed in Religion and Philosophy, but I think it belongs here.

A church in GA has kicked members out who are Democrats and/or who "criticize the President." This Right Wing stuff is getting out of hand. If churches want to play politics, let them pay taxes!

http://p142.news.scd.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050507/ap_on_re_us/church_politics

 

The fraud of US fundamentalism never ceases to amaze me. Most of these churches are so ingrained into cult-of-personality sycophantry over true biblical teaching that its more of an exclusive club for bigots and fearmongers than it is a legitimate flock of believers.

If Christ were here today the vast majority would more than likely receive the indictment found in Matthew chapter 7 than they would his blessing of "well done good and faithful servant".

The blind leading the ignorant.

 

I agree with Maggie Sugar, if churches are going to play politics, they should lose their tax exempt status.

 

"A church in GA has kicked members out who are Democrats and/or who "criticize the President." This Right Wing stuff is getting out of hand. If churches want to play politics, let them pay taxes!"

Hell yea!

 

I saw this on the news and it really bothered me. Not that I care about church in general because I don't attend any nor subscribe to any organized religion myself. However, I was forced to go to a Baptist school and they were some corrupt individuals, let me tell you. They did almost the same thing about 7 or so years ago. Kicked out half of the congregation, then had these buttons made up for those left that said we love our pastor. On top of that they forced students to go door to door and hand out pamphlets about a particular candidate, during school hours! They did some other shady things that I don't have time to go into right now.

Needless to say I was kicked out of that school for insubordination. Yeah, even back then I was opinionated. LOL

But there is a website, I can't recall the name right now, but you can report things like this and they will investigate. It was something about the separation of church and state.

 

churches should pay taxes regardless... this is just further proof that the CORRUPT institution of church is in cahoots with the corrupt insitution that is the American Government... they work hand/hand... both doing things for eachother... church helping shape the minds of america's youth... while the state gives the church tax exemption.. while the church tells people who to vote for, while the church hides behind its illusive facade of "morals and ethics" whilst being responsible for murdering people across the globe.

 

Absolutely, seeing as how they have so much control in the govt anyway.

This ostracisation isn't really new though. It's common practice, only maybe doesn't make the news like this has. People are often told not to come to church for all kinds of political reasons even who they vote for as a mayor, or school board member. Everything in the south is inevitably tied to the church. It sucks. I went to a democrat rally that had a bible choir, they handed out hymnals. I said thanks for the cake and hauled ass. Basicly people trained to be too stupid to think for themselves. I know for a fact that a local preacher abused his daughter growing up. She'd show up in tears at our house with black eyes. Next thing you know he's out there with half his congregation. Following Sunday he parades her in front of them as an example of a 'whore' because she was dating a black guy. That church is still around, he's still the head honcho with followers whom he told to vote for (guess who). People are all shocked when this stuff goes on like it can't possibly happen. It can and it does but it's hidden well. Something like getting kicked out for not supporting Bush isn't all that surprising. I'm not a bible guy, but isn't there something about reaping what you sow?

 

Wouldn't it be just great if these people who got kicked out stayed out?

And what if people in that church got so disgusted that they left too?

And this pastor is left with not much of a church?

 

It would be great, but its too late. The pastor resigned.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/10/church.politics.ap/index.html

 

This is somewhere that the pastor clearly ‘crossed the line’ but I wonder how many religious leaders skirted that line?

 

It sounds like this guy definitely went too far. Preaching on moral issues is one thing, but explicitly endorsing candidates is out of line.

 

I believe I would left that church, or any church that did such a thing...when I'm with my mom and her husband, I go to church with them in a small church, with a very liberal pastor. This guy rocks! But I don't see him doing something like this and kicking out the republicans! He shares his oppinions, and he does it well...he does not, however, force them on people. I totally respect that. What this pastor did was inappropriate--good thing he resigned.

 

I dunno, this is kinda like that guy who threatened to excommunicate any catholics who voted for Kerry. Excommunication isn't that bad of a threat to non-church goers but to a devout catholic it means eternal damnation... Couldn't we arrest that guy with election tampering?

 

You cannot ex communicate a Catholic for voting for a person who goes against Church doctrine. There are strict requirements for it.

 

What does someone have to do to be ex-communicated? So they can't just do it at their whim?

 

WOuld you expect anything less from the makers of FEAR AND CONTROL?

 

I think excommunicating voters is problematic in a couple of ways. First, voting is supposed to be confidential. Second, and more importantly, voting is almost always a matter of trying to choose the lesser evil, which is rarely a clearcut task.

However, I think it would make perfect sense to excommunicate any politician that supports the legalized slaughter of unborn babies. According to Catholic teaching, such politicians are in grave spiritual danger. Excommunication doesn't damn them; it is supposed to warn them that they are damning themselves.

 

Agreed.

What does having a particular belief system have to do with paying your share?

 

Hah, silly. It's not like there's a big difference between liberals and conservatives.

 

it was actually a church in wayneville NC.... the pastor has now left the church and decided to go in to another field of work,,,, wonder if it will be politics?