After having some serious discussions, with varying FAITH-BASED communities, I’ve come to the unsubstantiated conclusion that most God-fearing Americans want their religion and religious beliefs/principles intertwined with their politics.
On a Sunday service, Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Church, in California, stood before his congregation of more than 2,000 and told them he would be making an unusual announcement.
The pastor proceeded to warn his audience against voting for a candidate in the upcoming midterm elections who supports gay marriage and abortion, even if that candidate, Carl DeMaio, is a Republican.
Garlow, an outspoken evangelical who played a major role in organizing Christian groups in support of California’s anti-gay marriage Proposition 8, spoke plainly: He would not be supporting the Republican in this race.
“I know enough that you cannot have the advancing of the radical homosexual agenda and religious liberty at the same time, in the same nation,” he preached. “One will win, and one will lose.”
Instead, Garlow told his followers that he would be endorsing DeMaio’s rival, Democratic incumbent Scott Peters, representative for California’s 52nd District, to send a scathing message to Republican leadership that candidates who back abortion and gay rights are unacceptable to the party’s Christian base.
For the sake of discussion and/or debate, I question, “Does a spiritual leader have a right to impose his religious views upon others, in hopes to sway them towards his/her way or point of view? Isn’t this the same form of manipulation that brings about religious indoctrination and scriptural misrepresentation?” In fact, it’s this sort of madness that encouraged me to create this website.
Garlow is one of a growing number of Americans who say that religion should play a greater role in politics, according to the findings of a recent study by the Pew Research Forum’s Religion & Public Life Project.
The study found that almost three-quarters of the American public (72%) believes that religion’s influence is waning in public life, the highest level in Pew Research polling over the past 10 years.
I’m publishing this statistical info to bring awareness to an issue that most people find non-threatening; not to prognosticate about something that is not occurring or doesn’t affect us.
Listen to these video shorts. Here are three very profound stances on this issue; and somewhat frightening to hear for believers.
Does having religious beliefs make people more moral? Are the non-ascetic, non-religious morally wrong? If religious people are so moral, how come so many Catholic priests abused children? Can non-religious people go to heaven?
Mr. Dissenting Voice,
What I immediately say about your questions; Wow! Believe it or not, I get where you’re coming from. I think your queries deserve a place on this site. Sometimes opposing points of views hold a treasure trove of information and a wealth of knowledge in/and of itself.
As a practicing Muslim, I have my own beliefs and perspectives that some may agree or disagree with. So, to reverse your postulation or rhetorical queries back at you; am I delusional to think that my morality is based on my religious convictions, or could it based on something else?
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after reading through some of the post, I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy to have found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!