Friday, Lafayette, Indiana

It seems that finally, the the era of the nut job pastors might be coming to an end. Since the news has been covering the reprehensible statements of so many high profile ministers, the public has developed an appropriate gag reflex for the hypocrisy and rancor of these hate mongers in robes. The righteous repudiation of “Reverend’s” Wright, Hagee and Rod Parsley by the candidates is long overdue.

From my point of view, these entertainers are masquerading as “pastors,” getting their ego’s stroked as celebrities in their churches. Some have hidden behind their clergy robes and…what is especially scandalous…behind the cross, the Christian symbol of humility, in order to attack, judge and instigate hate among the hungry seekers in the pews. They whip up the fervor and passions of the frustrated, powerless people in the pews by using emotional manipulation and provocative speech. They get carried away and before long there is a record of their hate speech that, even if taken out of context, is shameful.

Years ago the Christian Coalition was launched and their intentions sounded noble. As one of their leaders suggested, they were not looking to dominate politics, they just “wanted a place at the table.” And that is more than fine, it is as it should be. The voice of moral authority is essential for a nation’s leadership. However, over the past two decades the role that religion has often played is so out of balance, dominated by the most legalistic and inflexible voices, that it has become a scourge. Not only are non believers swayed, they are repelled by the self righteous anger of, especially Christian clergy.

 

“Get yourself right with us or you are condemned”
“This is the official interpretation of the Word of God and if you deviate from it, you are condemned.”
“These are the candidates that have the anointing of God through us. Vote for them or…”

 

Well, you got the picture.

When did it settle in that evangelical theology became synonymous with Republican ideology? Who made the decision that mainline protestant churches were aligned with the liberal ideology of the Democratic party? It’s all nonsense, and destructive at that. It bears little resemblance to the message of faith, hope and love that is the centerpiece of the preaching of Jesus.

The church in the public square might simply be embarrassing if it wasn’t turning so many seeking souls away from the joy and comfort that is actually offered in the real lives of ordinary believers across all the denominations each sabbath. The distance between what actually goes on in most churches - caring, service and love - is a chasm away from how the Church is heard in the media in public.

I just wish some of these “Pastors” would sit down and shut their big yappers!

 

Signs that the leader of your congregation has ego problems:

- The chair in his office sits 2 feet higher than the visitors chair

- Your pastor wears a large diamond pinky ring

- His children are instructed to address him as “the Reverend Doctor Father”

- Your pastor has written 10 books of theology (although none have been published)

- When reading a transcript of sermons the most common phrase is “the Lord told me…”

- The pastor’s front tooth is embossed with a ruby

- You spot your pastor at the grocery store & he’s wearing a papal hat & embroidered robe

- Your pastor drives a Bentley with a clergy license plate

- When preaching the pastor arranges a piercing light to shine down illuminating their face

- When attending church conferences out of town the pastor insists on flying on a private jet