Will you give up red meat?

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

If a pastor/church leader asks all his constituents to give up red meat because he is convinced it's unhealthy what would you do?

To ask or mandate?

To me is a big difference.

To mandate, would be to much. To request is ok with the explanation if is heathier for you. NOT a doctrine.

And then I would continue to eat red meat.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Esther

To ask or mandate?

To me is a big difference.

To mandate, would be to much. To request is ok with the explanation if is healthier for you. NOT a doctrine.

And then I would continue to eat red meat.

To me asking would also entertain the concept of crossing a line.

To educate is one thing... when one in authority asks someone to do something there is a lot of pressure to obey.

This is really completely out of pulpit parameters. What place is there for even dealing with this subject at all over the pulpit?

[ILG]

Sometimes pastors ask, say it's not salvational and then say people who don't comply are in rebellion. That makes people between a rock and a hard spot.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by ILG

Sometimes pastors ask, say it's not salvational and then say people who don't comply are in rebellion. That makes people between a rock and a hard spot.

Indeed... That is a very successful method that allows for one to say "I never said that anyone had to do that" and yet have the same level of control without leaving themselves open to the ridicule that would come should they have actually gone ahead and make the statement.