Evangelist Dobson parts with Focus on the Family

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Well there are plenty of liberal, I mean that in the political sense, churches out there as well. So I am not sure that just because some preach right leaning politics that doesn't really leave people with left leaning views no place to go.

Also don't forget that not all of those who hold a Cristian world view and are active politically are pastors, most are not.

I agree that the pulpit is not the place for politics it cheapens the Gospel, but I don't pastor so don't ask me to lay aside either my Christian world view or my conservative/Libertarian viewpoints. Dobson also does not pastor.

What I find frightening is the trend that says the government should take the place of the church in term of caring for the poor, providing education, medical care etc. I think this is just as dangerous as those who want a theocracy and rule with an iron fist.

Plenty of liberal churches? There are a few, maybe, but by and large the Christian Culture is conservative. And certainly, the view of the Christian culture is that it is very much republican. The common perception is an expectation of political compliance with the "system" of Christianity. I'm frequently asked by religious cynics, "Are you guys gonna tell me who to vote for?", or "Do you accept liberals" because clearly, there is an expectation that all need to be conservative.

One of the problems we've created within American Christianity, is a closed culture to anyone not like us. Even if a UPC church never preaches "standards", if everyone in the building has complied with the code, the underlying message is, "You need to conform." The same thing happens with conservative politics.

I wouldn't ever want you to walk away from your political opinions, just like I wouldn't want I wouldn't want a liberal to do so.

And true, Dobson is not a pastor, but that's really beside the point. He is very much an acknowledged voice of the Christian Culture and he speaks for the culture as a whole.

I, too, see frightening trends in the government but I don't think it has any effect on the church at all. In fact, historically the church has been at its best when opposed the most. The underground church in China is growing at a faster rate than anywhere in the world.

A little opposition might do us some good.