Influences

    Antisemitism is headlining the news. There have been firings and the withholding of funding. I have no doubt that such exists, always has, always will. It wasn't that long ago Muslims were making those same headlines. There were attacks made on those people, there was campaigns aimed at them and all that continues. I'm old enough to remember when Cassius Clay decided to practice that religion, changed his name to Mohamed Ali and refused to be drafted. He based that on religious convictions. It caused quite a stir at that time. I also recall when Kennedy was running for president and he was, gasp, a catholic! Yes, religious beliefs can be a cause for others to discriminate against you. The reason is very easy to understand, religion, politics and power are intertwined. 

  Here in Maryland a ruling from the IRS is causing some controversary. Two churches in Texas have challenged the "Johnson Amendment" to the Internal Revenue Service code that forbids any non-profit from campaigning for a political candidate/party. The IRS has now changed their stance on that saying churches and other houses of worship should be allowed to endorse candidates without losing their exempt status. It is still pending approval by a District Court judge in Texas. If it gains that approval the church is free to speak from the pulpit regarding political issues. 

  All that came as a bit of a surprise to me as I didn't know they couldn't say whatever they liked from the pulpit. As far as I know all preachers, leaders, or whatever term you wish to apply have been doing that all along. That is the reason our constitution separated church from state. It's my feeling it wasn't intended to prevent those from speaking their minds, freedom of speech, or to prevent the free exercise of religion. Remember those amendments? Yeah, they apply to the church as well. Power and politics. The instruction received from a religious leader can be a very powerful motivator. A real concern when it comes to the teachings of the Koran which does contain justification for violent activities.

  There are those opposed to that of course, insisting the church should not be allowed to openly endorse anyone. Those folks claiming the pulpit could be weaponized! Well yeah, that's what preaching is supposed to be, a weapon against evil! We are fighting. Over the centuries every religion has engaged in wars, conflicts, launched crusades and generally used violence to further their agendas. Power, politics and religion. We say, For God and Country! That has been a rallying cry from the very beginning, it isn't just some Christian or American thing. God save the Queen or whatever. The power of the church resides not in the pulpit but in those that are the believers. Pastor, priests and ministers are influencers. Yes, that is their job. They do have the absolute right to endorse, approve or disapprove of any political candidate or party. That's the way I feel about that.