Friday, Lafayette, Indiana

It seems that finally, the era of the nut job pastors is coming to an end. The righteous repudiation of “Reverend’s” Wright, Hagee and Rod Parsley by the candidates is long overdue. These entertainers, getting their ego’s stroked as celebrities in their churches have hidden behind their robes and…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.

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 (although none have been published)

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

- Their front tooth is embossed with a ruby

- When you spot your pastor at the grocery store they are wearing an embroidered robe

- Your pastor drives a Bentley with a clergy license plate

- When preaching they arrange one piercing light shine down from above illuminating their face

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