Posted by by Keshia Dawn – Dallas South News Intern
Holidays usually bring about festive programs at church. With permanent and noteworthy dates on the calendar, in December a Christmas program may be orchestrated while in February a Black History program will follow. But what about politicians? Are they allowed their own date on the church’s calendar? Though some churches work hand in hand with city officials, others are less enthralled to share their space.
It seems as if more and more churches are opening their doors to new faces gracing their steps. During voting season, the new member (who will use the platform for their own benefit) is the politician.
“When I go to church, I want to hear the Word, not what’s on CNN,” LaVasher Johnson of Dallas said.
The church all parts of our society -male, female, rich, poor, educated, military- the list goes on. No matter what congregation is visited, an array of political views will be present. Many are willing to interrupt their church proceedings to hear a ‘you should choose me because …’ speech. They feel it is necessary.
“I have mixed feelings, but unfortunately it’s hard not to mix the two. You have to consider that our religious beliefs are driven by our moral and ethical beliefs. These beliefs have to be expressed through our activities as citizens in the political realm,” Dallas native Karen Sims said.
Hard working citizens labor daily to make a difference in their households, hoping for prosperity. Change is needed and in most cases, wanted, therefore, politics have to be addressed. We want to believe the promises that politicians tell. But on a Sunday morning, the only promises that should be sought are those from Christ.
“I have attended a Mega Church for the last nine years and I have seen it first hand: Presidents, Judges, Mayors and City Counsels visiting churches during campaigns,” Danielle Dill said.
Politics make the world go around, and it has made its way into church settings. Some politicians can be bought & go to the highest bidder. Many of whom we know. Should the doors of the church be open to politicians?
“I believe that pastors have an influence on which direction their congregation should vote. However, I don’t feel they should. It is a contradiction to the 1st Amendment. The State can not influence or force a certain religion on us [the people], so the Church should not be able to influence or suggest a certain political party on us [the people],” Sims said.
With the lifestyle of some politicians sometimes viewed as sketchy, many are not comfortable allowing Republican ‘Do Right’ or Democratic ‘Did Right’ over the lay members of the church.
“I don’t have a problem with politicians visiting church but I do have a problem with the pastor preaching politics,” Johnson said.
Isn’t the shepard of the church supposed to watch over what enters into the people’s spirits? Does he have a choice, or is it because of the business side of church, that he has the obligation to endorse politics from the pulpit? There are too many questions that could be asked about politicians and the church. How did it start? What is the rule? Will it ever stop?
“When I think of church, I vision a place of sacredness and holiness, not a place to inject politics. The church is not a place for political campaigns or a place to hold polling stations,” Dill said.The morning bulletin informs the congregation of up and coming events. With most observations dealing with things having to do with spirituality, and for those who choose not to overindulge in the political world, politics in the church just doesn’t seem to have a place.
Keshia Dawn is a student at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and author of the novel His Grace, His Mercy. She can be reached at keshia@dallassouthnews.org
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