Separation of Church and State

[LBR]

What's the deal with this? The reason I ask is I saw bho (just for the second it took me to change the channel) speaking from the pulpit of a church today. Is that not a conflict?

I know politicians do it pretty regularly these days, and it disgusts me--both the politicians and the congregations that allow it to go on.

Anyway, it seems to me it would be a violation of the separation church and state. I guess not--or is it one of those things that's ok for libs illegal for conservatives?

[The Rev]

You nailed it Chad, today it's do as I say not as I do!

[Ol'Mongo]

It was like Clinton walking out of the church with the Bible in his hand. BHO uses religion as a sales pitch, ....... and only when he thinks it benefits him.

[kevin1]

Politics from the pulpit isn't exactly new, and fairly common in black congregations. Both sides and all races are guilty of this one.

[7.62NATO]

The real meaning of separation of church and state is that there is no STATE-SPONSORED religion. That's it, end of story. It means that the US gov't can't say "Hey, we're all Catholic here in the US, and you have to go to Catholic church."

As far as it being used as a sales pitch by politicians, well...what else do you expect? That's pretty much what they thrive on. "Hot issues" are created that severely divide the people, and politicians pick a few buzz words to get votes. "Christian" "Patriot" "Pro-Choice" "Pro-Life" "Green" "Change"

Can't remember who said it, but politics is Hollywood for ugly people.

[Lemaitre]

Although unseemly, it is not unconstitutional for a government official to use a church simply as a speaking venue as long as he does not incorporate the church's religious teachings into official government policy.

[nodog]

Given his past church connections, I wonder how much checking into this church was done before he spoke there.

I also wonder if he won't wish he didn't do it after a pile of other church's ask him to come speak there.

Be a great time for many politician to speak in all kinds of church's. If somebody has a problem with it O will have to be included.

Sounds like an opportunity to me.

[LBR]

How about their tax exempt status? Obviously some "churches" (using the term loosely) invite only people of a certain pollitical affiliation to speak, and even have "preachers" (using that term VERY loosely) that seem to talk more about politics than religion from the pulpit.....again, it's sickening.

Chad

[Mr. Conservatism]

It is unusual for a Muslim to be be speaking from a Christian church. Go figure. Gotta be a lot of politics in there.

[Lemaitre]

Originally Posted by LBR

How about their tax exempt status?

I would favor revoking tax exempt status for all churches. Giving churches tax exempt status is really granting them a government subsidy at the expense of individuals and organizations that are not tax exempt and therefore the practice would appear to violate the Constitution's prohibition on government establishment of religion.