Keep the pulpit accountable

It should be well noted that JUDAS ISCARIOT tried to use Jesus' ministry as a platform for political and military uprise.

He was in extreme error to say the least.

Jesus rebuked Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane for trying to use force on Jesus' captors putting to rest any misconceived notions that this was some uprising.

There are many other examples where Jesus went to great lengths to distance himself and his ministry from being considered political or military.

I am sickened by many things in the pulpit and find this "vain revolution for political freedom of speech" particularly irreprehensible and contrary to the teachings and overall impetus of Jesus' ministry.

As a sideline note I would also like to point out that none of the candidates are running for office of priest or pastor.

To criticize one politician for being "pro choice" or in favor of stem cell research while giving full support to a candidate who advocates fully the use of war, torture, and nuclear armament not only for defense but also as a " first strike" option, is garbage and contradicts all that Jesus came to establish as his message and legacy.

I would like to add another thought that sacrificing a church's tax exempt status is extremely irresponsible when considering that the minister is being entrusted with money that did not come from him nor belongs to him.

(see all the biblical listings for stewardship).

I would like to charge and challenge all elders and/ or board members to challenge and rebuke your pastor if you feel he is abusing his post of shepherd for the sake of spewing politically in a place that should bring respite from all of this rather than becoming a platform for it.

Remember...America is a democratic republic with the first amendment to the constitution protecting in large part our freedom of speech...

God's Kingdom is NOT a democracy but an absolute monarchy with one true king and emperor.

Jesus NEVER used His authority or exclusive privileges as God's Son to advocate or support any political or military entity.

We need to remember which kingdom we are in and which King we serve.

Jesus never supported politics

???? How did JESUS become a political endorsement????

It amazes me each time I read religious articles in magazines and newspapers.

People have determined that the message of Jesus can now be summed up in a political party and candidate.

It also amazes me that many religious/ politico activist have been able to equate a vote for the presumed candidate or party an act of true righteousness verses the blasphemous act of voting against said candidate or party.

These days, the hot topics seem to be pro-life and ending stem cell research.

Somehow, people have equated all stances pro life and a “hopeful” change on the “ROE v. WADE” verdict giving a woman the right to choose what to do with her own pregnancy some personal endorsement from God to be a candidate in the presidential elections.

Here are some issues I have with the whole thing…

Let me say first that I am a devout follower of Jesus of the Bible.

I also follow politics to an extent.

In my many years of exhaustive research of the bible, I have not yet found anything either implicit or explicit regarding Jesus advocating or supporting anything political.

I would even venture to say that the subject turned Him off so to speak.

How did Jesus respond when asked about paying taxes? How did Jesus respond to Pontius Pilate on the topic of “power”?

Jesus seemed to do his level best to distance himself from all things political.

Jesus also seemed to distance his ministry from all things political. There is no evidence whatsoever that Jesus wanted or claimed to need any political endorsements for himself or his ministry.

There is also no evidence to conclude whatsoever that Jesus supported or advocated any politician for the sake of furthering his own agenda or ministry endeavors.

I have a hard time when people use the bible or Jesus directly to support and advocate openly a certain political candidate. Candidates are not running for the office of priest or pastor.

How is a candidate righteous because they have a “prolife” stance or object to stem cell research, but support not only war, but starting a war, first strike nuclear capabilities (can you say holocaust and genocide), and torture for the sake of national security.

In closing I would like to remind those who claim to be of the faithful that JUDAS had a problem ultimately with Jesus because he was not political or militaristically inclined.

Judas was a member of the zealots (a political underground of insurgents with the overthrow of Rome as their primary focus).

Judas became very frustrated with Jesus when he realized that Jesus was not speaking of Rome’s overthrow when he spoke of a new kingdom.

Become very familiar with the outcome of Judas before trying to entangle the pure message of Jesus with politics.

It is not the job of politics to minister or evangelize.

If those who consider themselves the faithful would get out there and love people the way Jesus did, we would not have to put so much pressure on politicians to do it for us.

Remember also that the last election cycle that put more conservative “evangelicals” in office than in recent years also found a record number of scandals involving drugs, prostitution, homosexuality, and child pornography to the point that congress and house incumbents were largely voted out of office in the last elections.

If memory serves me correctly, president Bush openly condemned homosexuality thereby winning the conservative right. That is amazing considering the fact that his vice president had an openly homosexual daughter who was his campaign manager and who has also since adopted a child while still openly practicing homosexuality.

Let the politicians do what they do best and let the faithful do what Jesus does best…(Matthew 28:18-20).