I am a born-again Christian who just happens to be an ultra-conservative member of the Republican Party. As of late, I have heard voices within evangelical circles suggesting that God may be using the platform of conservative talk radio to address controversial subjects that pastors, behind their pulpits, are remaining silent about.
The thing that boggles my mind is that while talk radio personalities are using controversy to boost their ratings, pastors are afraid that controversy will lower their weekly church attendance.
My fear is that if pastors get any more silent than they are, someone had better check their pulses; however, I would sharply rebuke anyone who would dare to suggest that men such as Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck are the next Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Their personalities are overwhelmingly negative, sarcastic, disrespectful, arrogant and conceited.
Those are not the qualities that God is looking for.
I was very disappointed that Barack Obama became the 44th president. However, we here at the Jesus Party Pentecostal Kids' Church remain committed to praying for the leadership of our country. We even go so far as to display a life-size cutout of the president in our chapel so the children can have a tangible point of contact when they pray for him.
Certainly, prayer must remain bipartisan and is more effective than constant criticism.
We must instill respect for government and esteem in our leaders if we want to be good examples for our children.
The Rev. Douglas Taylor, Lewiston
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church and state
First, church employees are free to discuss anything within their church without risking the church's tax-exempt status except they can not endorse a candidate for election and they can not run a political campaign out of the church.
Second, church employees should use their free speech rights to comment on social issues of the day just like anyone else and to try to mold the political environment.
Third, and we, their audience, are free to ignore everything they say. For surely anyone who believes in the supernatural, magic, and 6-foot tall bunny rabbits is not, by definition, in touch with reality.
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I've never listened to Beck, and i gave up on Rush when Clinton got into office, Rush was fun when he concentrated on many different issues around the world, but at some point it became all about slamming the democrats in the legislature and oval office and I tired of that quickly. Probably the same reason i would not listen to Obermann and some of the other liberal talking heads...one trick ponies, on both sides...
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that what you detect in others, you fail to see in yourself.
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Wow! Let's have coffee.
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There was a time when the pastors of a community were in fact our leaders. They urged us to get involved with a cause, to help others when a need a rose and to treat all others as we wished to be treated.
As to trons comments, how hypocritical to post such a comment that is filled with hate and despise for those you disagree with while maintaining it is they who are filled with hate.
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There is so much wrong here....
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Mac, I do have to disagree. Pastors have the right to attempt to "mold our political structures" as much as any citizen. Our own revolt against the British was aided by pastors who called for independence from their pulpits. In no way does this "fly in the face of the Constitution." Our Constitution regulates what government does in relation to religion. Our Constitution ensures that any pastor can stand in the pulpit and speak, instruct, guide, command, or whatever is acceptable within that particular church structure.
As for "tax exempt status," this is a bribe. The government bribes churches to keep silent in exchange for tax exemption. Be they conservative or liberal, churches in America trade their right to speak about certain matters for money. Many years ago, when I was in school studying to become a minister, I became convinced that this was wrong. I wrote a paper that called a tax-exempt status a bribe. This landed me into hot water with the school which was run by a tax-exempt church. We may not have been political but it was still a sensitive matter.
Unlike some people, both conservative and liberal, I do not believe that less free speech is better. And religion has always been in the political realm; sometimes for the good of society and sometimes for the bad - just like any other group of citizens. Since the day in 1954 the law changed to allow tax-exempt status for churches ministers have found ways around the restriction. So, essentially, they are taking the bribes from Caesar and then doing whatever they please. But my argument has always been with the churches. The government may offer tax-exempt status but the churches do not need to accept it and its restrictions. I am always amused when the IRS revokes the tax-exempt status of a church and the pastor whines about "free speech" and "constitutional rights". You sold those rights for the tax-exempt status! Until churches stop selling their rights they have no reason to cry about the loss of their right to free speech.
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Jesus said: Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. I do not take a tax exempt number. Come to a Jesus Party some time. We meet every Friday at 6pm. We are located at 291 Bates St. It would be nice to see you again.
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I also disagree with the Pastor. With all of the liberal slant from the main stream media, we need to hear other views from a conservative viewpoint . I listen to Rush, Beck and Hannity quite often, and I can honestly say that hear no hate. The hate comes from the left which pushes the ideolgy of Gov as god. I doubt the pastor has ever listened to what these men say and believe. As a christian , I know that these men ar not writers of the gospel, neither were Karl Marx or other believers in socialism, which I consider anti god. In the progressive liberal movement, people are taught that they can depend on big government to take care of them. A true believer puts God first and any Church that doesn't is anti god, which is part of the antichrist.
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What we need to hear is the voice of God.
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is because you agree with it. The airwaves are full of it, as is this forum. The wacko right is intolerant of anything they disagree with and will use any and all methods to show it. That's when their true colors shine.
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What's wrong with being right. You should try it you might like it. Being right is not wacko!
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You're absolutely right. I'm switching sides, now somebody fetch me the Garfallow/O'Donnell tapes so I can be more enlightened as to how tolerance is truly practiced.
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Switch to the side of Jesus.
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Reverend, JC and I are just fine. One man questioned my faith.....he asked why believe in ghosts. I told him if he's right, then we're both just worm jerky, case closed. I then told him, if I'm right, well, that will be a private discussion between him and the almighty.
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for proving my point. I knew it wouldn't be long before someone did, although I thought it would be bobby.
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And what was your point, that there's such thing as the loony left as well? Hell, I don't watch Beck or Hannity. O'Riley on occasion. I'm not stupid, they can rant and be over the top, and so can't your Obermans, Maddows, O'Donnells, Frankens, and especially Garafallow. (often times these people use, shall I say, colorful language). But that's the difference between you and I, I'm not a bobblehead, I can make my own informed decisions and realize their are kooks on both sides. And often enough I visit the Huffington Post or MSNBC to get the other side of the story. So Bobby, take it away.......
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Eaxctly what point did his post prove? I didn't realize you had even made a valid point.
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like you and Scotty are driven by pure hate, hate so vile it rules your life and makes you unable to recognize hate speech, because you guys don't consider it hate.
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the only one who shows hate on here is tron....and its simply a case of fear - fear he'll lose his government handout, fear he'll have to actually work for a living.
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your lies so often that you are starting to believe them?
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tron, we recognize "hate speech", we see your post daily.
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Did he not read my post that I recognize that their is lunacy on both sides of the isle? And more often then most, salty language is something the left likes to use on a regular basis. Why just today James Cameron, liberal director, called Beck a f'ing a-hole. Real classy, I'm feeling the love, aren't you?
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Beck called Cameron the 'Anti-Christ; so Cameron called Beck a 'F*cking Azz-hole'
So who's the Lunatic here?
My money's not on Cameron.......
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You're absolutely right, they both are.
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Denny A. writes: "I listen to Rush, Beck and Hannity quite often, and I can honestly say that hear no hate."
- Neither did many Germans find it troubling when the Nazis treated the Jews as 'sub-humans,' Denny. When one has a schema which readily accepts Limbaugh, Beck, and Hannity's rancor, enmity, and divisiveness as "Hate Free" - then it is apparent that the distorted mindset which you occupy is one in which hate is normal.
You would no more recognize that as an abberation as would the three-legged man notice this third appendage in a village of tri-pods.
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Reverend Taylor...I am one who normally thinks that you don't get enough credit for your attention to the needs of the downtown area and probably one of the few in the area that knows where you come from. As a friend in the faith, however, I disagree with some of what you say here. No, perhaps these commentators are not the gospel writers. But don't make the mistake of implying that there wasn't some passion in those men. James and John were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder for wanting to rain fire on Jesus' enemies, after all. I am sure you are familiar with the passion of Jesus in Matthew 23. Admittedly these commentators are not preaching religious values, they are preaching conservative values, most of which are grounded in western religious tradition, be it Judaism or Christianity (something argued deepy on these boards daily). But I would dispute your claim that they do so to make a profit out of controversy. Would you say the same about Rachel Maddow, Keith Olberman, or Chris Matthews? These are men of passion, not controvery. But those with firm and unwaverable convictions are often said to be controversial, either right or left. You of all people should know that, Doug. You have organized many public displays over the years and have been accused in this forum as the same type of man that you accuse these commentators of being. Are you a man of conviction or controversy? I would submit conviction. And the only difference I see in these men that you list and you is the size of the audience. There is nothing wrong with a little righteous indignation. And you're right...the churches need to do more of it. Now I'll wait for the fallout from the "big three." Good morning, guys.
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Thank you for your kind words. Im sorry we do not agree.
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ReaganRepublican writes:
"Admittedly these commentators are not preaching religious values, they are preaching conservative values, most of which are grounded in western religious tradition, be it Judaism or Christianity (something argued deepy on these boards daily)."
- Note that 'Religious' values do not necessarily equate to 'Moral' values.
Conservatives, for the most part, applaud one keeping their feet planted firmly in the past.
And we know how well that worked, when only the few could vote or own property. It worked out very well for the few. Perhaps that's why 10% of the population in the U.S. control 90% of the wealth today - Link -and the Big Three Shit Stirrers Pastor Doug mentions keep the populace worked up about some illegal immigrants getting 'free' medical care.
Keeps their minds off of the real thieves.
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I did not say that their religious values did not equate to moral values. The point I am trying to make is that they do not profess to be religious leaders. Perhaps I misread your response, but are you imply that there is no such thing as absolutes? You mention "firmly planted in the past." Do you think there is such a thing as timeless principles? By the way, a much more gentlemanly disagreement...
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I don't agree with much that you say but your words about talk(hate) radio are dead on the mark. I have a question about the life- size cutout. Is it an effigy that you have of our president?
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Effigy?
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Pastor should be more vocal and support such things as universal health care, Human rights, taking care of the sick & poor. They should also speak out against racism & hatred of any kind. If God is "using the platform of conservative talk radio to address controversial subjects" as you said he is showing us how not to be because as you said conservative talk radio personalities "are overwhelmingly negative, sarcastic, disrespectful, arrogant and conceited." And just like most ultra-conservative member of the Republican Party they are also wrong about almost everything.
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Human rights, sick, poor, speak out against hate. You just described my ministry. Let's pray together.
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He didn't say that God is using talk radio. He said that "I have heard voices within evangelical circles suggesting that God may be using the platform of conservative talk radio."
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See you soon at a Jesus Party.
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See you soon at a Jesus Party.
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See you soon at a Jesus Party.
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