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July 06, 2006

Clergy Move to Block Out Partisan Politics

A rather interesting movement has begun in Christiandom: the launching of a campaign to protect Texas churches from politics. Calling itself "Respect Our Faith," the campaign is signing up members of the Texas clergy (nearly 100 already) who are pledging to "stop politicians from using our sacred spaces to divide people of faith for partisan political gain."

“Dragging churches into partisan politics endangers the integrity of our houses of worship and is disrespectful of the faith and beliefs of all congregants,” said Father Samuel Hose, pastor of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Round Rock.

The campaign is encouraging civic engagement, but keeping partisan politics outside the walls of places of worship – ending the practice of turning pulpits into sites for press conferences and photo ops, and using pastors as campaign puppets.

The site lists some interesting efforts in recent years to "drag our churches into partisan politics to score political points."

* In 2004, the Republican National Committee asked churches to turn over their membership rolls.

* A pastor in North Carolina expelled congregants who supported John Kerry for President.

* A pastor in Florida, after hosting Democratic elected officials, saw nothing wrong with turning a worship service into a political rally.

* In 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry used a Fort Worth church as a backdrop for a bill signing.

* A group called the “Texas Restoration Project” is using hundreds of thousands of dollars from secret sources to organize pastors to support selected Republican candidates.

Respect Our Faith also plans to serve in the capacity of a public watchdog, "shining a light on politicians or congregations that cross the line between religious congregation and political party." Sounds like a great idea.

Posted by Becky at July 6, 2006 12:19 PM