Religious Leaders and Politics

This topic is sure to be a little controversial

. However, I'm not going to allow that to deter me from making observations on a cultural issue that I believe is relevant to millions. Religion and politics. This was broadcast in large scale in 2008 when videos surfaced of President Obama's pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright. I'm sure you've all seen the video with headlines that read "GOD DAMN AMERICA!" Anyways, I didn't really think about the effect religious leaders have on theircongregation. Because that seems a little obvious. Of course they effect their congregations in a meaningful way, that's why their attending! It was a conversation I recently had with my husband, who is an avid reader of all religious texts and religious history, and we were discussing religious discrepancy on political policy. Now it's a little strange, because legally speaking, due to a law that was passed in 1954 a religious institution cannot endorse or oppose any political candidate, without their tax exemption status being removed. The way I've interpreted it seems similar to the way teachers are prohibited to disclosing their political beliefs in the classroom. What I want to talk about runs deeper than the simple endorsing or opposing politicians. The major factors here are text, interpretation, and influence. There's an interesting Hermetic mantra that I would like to use to sort of kick off the rest of this entry. "When the ears of the student are ready to hear, then comes the lips to fill them with wisdom."

My short observation below, is purely my, which will soon be clear, liberal opinion. I'm interested in getting a conversation started. Nothing more, nothing less. I surely don't have anything to gain here.

It just so happens that from both the far right and far left we can find strange words of wisdom that seems to directly contradict edict. I'm going to create two categories of spiritual leaders to make things a little more clear. Those whom really believe every word they say, and those who are afraid of upsetting their followers with the truth. Due to the plethora of social issues we're facing. From gay rights, to immigration, to what's recently being referred to as "Islamophobia." It would seem that many people turn to their religious leaders for moral guidance on where they should stand on these issues.

As someone who personally believes that religious text in all forms are indeed sacred, I also believe it is important to regard them first as allegory. That being said, clearly a man like Pastor Steven Anderson really believes the text he reads literally word for word. Then you have people like Father Michael Pfleger and Pastor Joel Osteen who's services are often referred to as "Social Gospel." Let's not forget that churches have a target audience of their own, demographic, location, and financial status, all generally play a part, in terms of who they preach to. I would like to think of any spiritual leader as highly versed in whatever it is they are teaching because they have chosen to dedicate their lives to the cause. But when the Catholic church for instance, is predominantly silent on war fare, but vocal on pro-life shouldn't that pose serious questions about the nature of this linked contradiction.

In an effort to keep this short and to the point. My concern is this. When people of faith hurt others and declare that it is in the very name of their faith, what kind of guidance are they really receiving. It doesn't matter whether or not a spiritual authority is allowed to speak from their pulpits directly about political issues. People will leave with their teachings embedded in their hearts and minds. I believe the actions of those who follow their words really speak for themselves. If peace and love are being preached wouldn't it make sense, that this nation being the inherently religious one that it is, wouldn't have such a problem with hate?

Religious Leaders and Politics

By: Nisha Szewczyk

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