Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock (NY Times, 7/06)

[pinto]

Interesting take, somewhat dated, on the separation of church and state from an evangelical. Caught this on a replay of Christianne Amanpour's documentary series, 'God's Warriors' on CNN. This is a NY Times review on Pastor Boyd.

Disowning Conservative Politics, Evangelical Pastor Rattles Flock

By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Published: July 30, 2006

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. — Like most pastors who lead thriving evangelical megachurches, the Rev. Gregory A. Boyd was asked frequently to give his blessing — and the church’s — to conservative political candidates and causes.

The requests came from church members and visitors alike: Would he please announce a rally against gay marriage during services? Would he introduce a politician from the pulpit? Could members set up a table in the lobby promoting their anti-abortion work? Would the church distribute “voters’ guides” that all but endorsed Republican candidates? And with the country at war, please couldn’t the church hang an American flag in the sanctuary?

After refusing each time, Mr. Boyd finally became fed up, he said. Before the last presidential election, he preached six sermons called “The Cross and the Sword” in which he said the church should steer clear of politics, give up moralizing on sexual issues, stop claiming the United States as a “Christian nation” and stop glorifying American military campaigns.

“When the church wins the culture wars, it inevitably loses,” Mr. Boyd preached. “When it conquers the world, it becomes the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you lose the cross.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/30/us/30pastor.html

[Donnachaidh]

1. WOW.

From the article -

"“America wasn’t founded as a theocracy,” he said. “America was founded by people trying to escape theocracies. Never in history have we had a Christian theocracy where it wasn’t bloody and barbaric. That’s why our Constitution wisely put in a separation of church and state."

Holy Cow. An Evangelical who acknowledges that there IS a separation of Church and State in our history. Props to Mr. Boyd!

[Bolo Boffin]

2. More Christians like this!

More Americans like this!

[HamdenRice]

14. You mean like Martin Luther King?

Or Cornell West? Or Fathers Philip and Daniel Berrigan? Or Sister Helen Prejean? Or the American Friends Service Committee? Or Rev. Calvin Butts? Or Rev. Herbert Daughtry? Or Jim Wallis and the Sojourners movement? Or the millions of other Christians who are not part of the right wing evangelical minority?

Either you haven't been paying attention, or you've bought the propoganda (imagine that!) that Christian equals conservative, or you're just not very well informed.

[Blue-Jay]

3. Betcha he gets fired.

[Critters2]

5. This story is over a year old. nt

[Blue-Jay]

6. Um. OK.

[Patchuli]

10. And the point of that is?

It's still good news.

[pinto]

12. Yeah, the Times piece is. Amanpour's highlight of the story is from her recent documentary.

[riqster]

4. The man knows his history. nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. They interviewed Brian McLaren for the piece, That is super

[Kucinich4America]

8. Praise Jesus!

Looks like this guy actually READS his bible. Of course that means the fundies in his church will probably "crucify" him. :(

[pinto]

11. Apparently he lost ~ 1,000 political hardliners, yet seemed fine with that.

I thought it was refreshing to see a religious leader understand the lines between church and state.

Agree, kudos to the guy.

[Patchuli]

9. Wow!

A pastor that feels the way I, a born-again leftwing freak, feels. I wish I'd heard that a year and a half ago. That heartens me! O8)

[NMMNG]

13. Beautiful

I'm constantly amazed by the RRRWers who denounce the "Islamofascists" then turn around and try to create a Christofascist America.

[AwakeAtLast]

15. If I lived in MN I would attend that church in a heartbeat

That is the kind of true Christian voice needed in this country. If there were more brave people like Mr. Boyd churches would still have some credibility.