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To: over3Owithabrain
Is a bunch of churches getting together to write a letter to the Government telling them to stop a war a violation of your view of church/state separation?

Of course not. If the pastors are greived by the war, then they have the right to petition the government. It is the members of those churches who disagree that ought to be incensed. The pastors used their membership as a credibility chip and that is, in my opinion, a violation of their privileged status as ministers. Of course, they could always just quit the church, but many people are unable to do this because they have an emotional investment through believing that their particular denomination is the only "true" path to God and heaven. They can't leave the church without feeling that they are leaving God. That gives the minister great power to abuse them.

30 posted on 11/03/2001 8:32:41 PM PST by Jolly Rodgers
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To: Jolly Rodgers
Of course not. If the pastors are greived by the war, then they have the right to petition the government. It is the members of those churches who disagree that ought to be incensed. The pastors used their membership as a credibility chip and that is, in my opinion, a violation of their privileged status as ministers. Of course, they could always just quit the church, but many people are unable to do this because they have an emotional investment through believing that their particular denomination is the only "true" path to God and heaven. They can't leave the church without feeling that they are leaving God. That gives the minister great power to abuse them.

Agreed - these churches are free to voice their opinion, just as folks like us and members of those churches have a right to disagree with them and boycott their churches. From my experience, many people remain in these mainline denominations not so much out of fear of leaving God, but because of tradition, family ties, social status, etc. Many churches now are just spiritualized "country clubs", places to be seen and pad your career resume (like saying "he has a wife, two kids, volunteers at a homeless shelter, and serves as deacon in the First Presbyterian Affluent Moderate Church). People don't like to rock the boat in these churches by challenging the doctrinal and political positions taken by the leaders.
31 posted on 11/03/2001 8:45:57 PM PST by over3Owithabrain
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