A person goes into a Sihk Temple on Sunday during prayer time and opens fire on those gathered peacefully to celebrate God. People set fire and burn a mosque for the second time in a month. What is wrong with people and Americans today? Are people so afraid of anything that looks different from white people that the only response we can come up with is to kill and destroy? What is good and Godly in these types of acts? NOTHING! When did America forget that we have prided ourselves on being a land of welcome to all, giving people religious freedom and freedom from persecution? I don't understand, as hard as I try, why someone else going to their place of worship is such a threat to someone else's faith. If they invite you just say no thanks. If you have questions why not ask or go check out a book from the library. But to buy guns and ammunition and kill someone because they are of a different ethnicity and wear certain types of clothing and worship differently then you - I can't understand it. I can only offer up prayers for healing and peace to come over those who feel hurt, pain and grief. I offer prayers for those who committed these acts of hate that they may see the errors of their ways and turn away from them. I offer prayers for our country and the world that we may learn how to live with each other even when we may not understand the person next to us.
For years now, I have heard in preaching and clergy circles about being political in sermons; the good, the bad and those who state that church shouldn’t be political. There are workshops, books, and podcasts talking about politics in the church with a variety of opinions. What do people mean when they make the statement that the church shouldn’t be political? The IRS has the most say about the rules for the separation of church and state/politics. If your church wants to be tax exempt, there are rules: don’t endorse any candidate or party, if you allow one party to use your space, other political parties also must be allowed to use the space, etc. The UCC’s general counsel, Heather Kimmell, has a webinar on this topic if you’d like to hear a more detailed explanation which can be found on the UCC’s YouTube channel. Churches have gotten “creative” in how to get around this, often partnering with another non-profit group to give support to a particular group. The UCC is proud to claim...
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