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Ear to the Ground

Evangelical Pastor Disowns Church Role in Conservative Politics

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Posted on Jul 30, 2006

A Minnesota megachurch leader says “the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a ‘Christian nation’ and stop glorifying American military campaigns.”

Amen.


N.Y. Times:

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. ? Like most pastors who lead thriving evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd was asked frequently to give his blessing ? and the church?s ? to conservative political candidates and causes.

The requests came from church members and visitors alike: Would he please announce a rally against gay marriage during services? Would he introduce a politician from the pulpit? Could members set up a table in the lobby promoting their anti-abortion work? Would the church distribute ?voters? guides? that all but endorsed Republican candidates? And with the country at war, please couldn?t the church hang an American flag in the sanctuary?

After refusing each time, Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said. Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called ?The Cross and the Sword? in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a ?Christian nation? and stop glorifying American military campaigns.

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By R. A. Earl, July 30, 2006 at 10:31 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

APPLAUSE for the Rev. Boyd.

I’m most certainly no believer in the theological philosophies that this or any other “church” is selling, but I sure wholeheartedly endorse this minister’s view of the role of the church in society.

Wanna drop to your knees and worship your Lord? Go for it… 24/7 if you wish, and I’ll DEFEND YOUR RIGHT TO DO SO.

But keep your religious views and convictions out of politics and other social issues that affect society at large. MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT CHRISTIANS… and it’s really unfair, to put it mildly, for Christians to assume their views are what everyone else SHOULD have as well.

I can’t imagine Christ disagreeing with Rev. Boyd but I can sure “hear” Him lambasting the shameful, narrow and very un-Christ-like views the former 1,000 yuppie control freaks in his congregation supported!

Too bad I’m not a believer… I’d send a donation!

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By joe, July 30, 2006 at 9:59 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Praise the Lord…

So there are a few thoughtful among the Holy nuts.

Maybe those few should begin to educate the American masses in those megachurches about the environmental disasters that are surely comming.

How about the logic of living in a fragile world.
What’s wrong with all those religious nuts?

I could never understand the holy mumble. It’s probably because I was better at math than verbal. Maybe it’s a mumble that no one understands but must trust. That makes a lot of sense.

God save us from the Holy Unthinking Masses..!!!!

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