[America]

Stemming from the thread talking about Reverend Wright, I am wondering what everyone's views are about famous religious leaders speaking on politics and issues. Most seem to be from the black community, such as Sharpton, White, and Jackson, but others such as Westboro Baptist Church's leader Fred Phelps are commenting on politics. I have no problem, but I do not see where the authority of such a figure stems from. Hell, even George W. Bush had more authority to speak on national issues, as he attended schools with legitimate ties to what he was speaking of.

Anyways, opinions below please! Do you listen to them, laugh them off, believe they have any impact?

[Eagare the Alenthin]

America, on Jun 12 2009, 03:53 AM, said:

Stemming from the thread talking about Reverend Wright, I am wondering what everyone's views are about famous religious leaders speaking on politics and issues. Most seem to be from the black community, such as Sharpton, White, and Jackson, but others such as Westboro Baptist Church's leader Fred Phelps are commenting on politics. I have no problem, but I do not see where the authority of such a figure stems from. Hell, even George W. Bush had more authority to speak on national issues, as he attended schools with legitimate ties to what he was speaking of.

Anyways, opinions below please! Do you listen to them, laugh them off, believe they have any impact?

I don't judge politicians on their religions. It's like judging firemen on their boating skills.

[Natur Liefert]

I'm simply confused. D:
Okay, now I understand.


I listen because I want to know other sides of arguments. I'm sure they have an impact, though. Take pastors for example. They're generally seen as a community figurehead, aren't they? People naturally look up to them. But I only really listen half-assedly to them, because I don't like politics with religion.

This post has been edited by Natur Liefert: 11 June 2009 - 08:53 PM

[America]

Eagare the Alenthin, on Jun 12 2009, 03:55 AM, said:

I don't judge politicians on their religions. It's like judging firemen on their boating skills.

I think I misspoke. I'm talking about religious leaders who try to be politicians, commenting on national issues.

[Eagare the Alenthin]

America, on Jun 12 2009, 03:57 AM, said:

I think I misspoke. I'm talking about religious leaders who try to be politicians, commenting on national issues.

Just ignore them, if you ask me. Judge them like you would any other commentator.

[Lamuella]

as long as they can keep their chocolate out of their peanut butter, so to speak, I have no problem.

[Arcturus Jefferson]

America, on Jun 11 2009, 10:53 PM, said:

Stemming from the thread talking about Reverend Wright, I am wondering what everyone's views are about famous religious leaders speaking on politics and issues. Most seem to be from the black community, such as Sharpton, White, and Jackson, but others such as Westboro Baptist Church's leader Fred Phelps are commenting on politics.

"Most seem to be coming from the black community"? I think there are plenty of pastors and religious leaders of all creed and color that address policy issues...

Quote

I have no problem, but I do not see where the authority of such a figure stems from.

Not only do religious leaders often lead religious communities, but sometimes when their creed intersects public policy, they may have experience and knowledge on the subject at hand.

Quote

Hell, even George W. Bush had more authority to speak on national issues, as he attended schools with legitimate ties to what he was speaking of.

How do you define "authority to speak"? Simply in college degrees?

Personally I think my pastor gets a lot wrong politically but his theology is better than his politics so...

[America]

Arcturus Jefferson, on Jun 12 2009, 04:16 AM, said:

"Most seem to be coming from the black community"? I think there are plenty of pastors and religious leaders of all creed and color that address policy issues...


Not only do religious leaders often lead religious communities, but sometimes when their creed intersects public policy, they may have experience and knowledge on the subject at hand.


How do you define "authority to speak"? Simply in college degrees?

Personally I think my pastor gets a lot wrong politically but his theology is better than his politics so...

The most outspoken are from the black community. Religion, in my mind, should always be separated from state. Authority is either experience or college diplomas.

[Kenadian_2006]

America, on Jun 11 2009, 10:53 PM, said:

Stemming from the thread talking about Reverend Wright, I am wondering what everyone's views are about famous religious leaders speaking on politics and issues. Most seem to be from the black community, such as Sharpton, White, and Jackson, but others such as Westboro Baptist Church's leader Fred Phelps are commenting on politics. I have no problem, but I do not see where the authority of such a figure stems from. Hell, even George W. Bush had more authority to speak on national issues, as he attended schools with legitimate ties to what he was speaking of.

Anyways, opinions below please! Do you listen to them, laugh them off, believe they have any impact?

Being a religious leader involved in politics is not a bad thing. Jesse James or Al Sharpton are, to the best of my knowledge, merely disliked by some for various reasons. Guys like Phelps, Falwell or Pat Robertson are utter scumbags. They are the real life equivalent to trolls, Phelps especially.

[Rickyman1984]

Kenadian_2006, on Jun 11 2009, 11:56 PM, said:

Being a religious leader involved in politics is not a bad thing. Jesse James or Al Sharpton are, to the best of my knowledge, merely disliked by some for various reasons.

Well Jesse James robbed trains so I completely understand why people dislike him.

[Kenadian_2006]

Rickyman1984, on Jun 12 2009, 01:18 AM, said:

Well Jesse James robbed trains so I completely understand why people dislike him.

Wrong Jesse James?

Oh snap, my mistake. Jesse JACKSON.

This post has been edited by Kenadian_2006: 11 June 2009 - 11:16 PM

[Kamerad]

America, on Jun 12 2009, 02:57 AM, said:

I think I misspoke. I'm talking about religious leaders who try to be politicians, commenting on national issues.

I think it kinda ruins their role-modelishness when they come out and take political stances not relating to religion in public.

[Smallfrog]

Eagare the Alenthin, on Jun 12 2009, 03:58 AM, said:

Just ignore them, if you ask me. Judge them like you would any other commentator.

And what about the Pope? I know he's an extreme example, but he is in a position of having to be both a Church leader and a politician.

For a smaller example, Dr Rowan Williams, head of the Church of England and nominal leader of the Anglican communion?

[Opethian]

Lamuella, on Jun 12 2009, 02:59 AM, said:

as long as they can keep their chocolate out of their peanut butter, so to speak, I have no problem.

But Lamuella, chocolate and peanut butter are a winning combination!

[Dennis Von Bremen]

America, on Jun 11 2009, 09:53 PM, said:

but I do not see where the authority of such a figure stems from.

The Lord gave them the authoritiz!!!1!1!!!

This post has been edited by Dennis Von Bremen: 12 June 2009 - 05:41 AM

[Arcturus Jefferson]

America, on Jun 12 2009, 12:54 AM, said:

The most outspoken are from the black community.

I think there is a difference between outspoken and most covered. Haven't heard from Sharpton or Jackson in a while, anyway.

Quote

Religion, in my mind, should always be separated from state. Authority is either experience or college diplomas.

I think there are plenty religious leaders with both experience and college diplomas. What you mean is experience in government and/or government-related diplomas, I suspect. Which ignores that there is not necessarily a connection between having those and making wise decisions or policies, for starters.

I'm amused that you say that authority comes from experience or college diplomas. Since you don't have either on many of the issues you post about in the boiler room, should we just have a mod delete your posts? Since you have no authority, you know.

Very silly notion...

[Bazeilles]

America, on Jun 11 2009, 11:54 PM, said:

Religion, in my mind, should always be separated from state.

What do you mean separated? Is it acceptable that religion informs the policy positions of politicians?

[Natur Liefert]

Bazeilles, on Jun 12 2009, 11:48 AM, said:

What do you mean separated? Is it acceptable that religion informs the policy positions of politicians?

He means that religion should not be the basis for a politician's stance on issues. Religion can help you to understand where you stand on an issue, but it's not acceptable to say 'Because my religion says this is what position I should take'.

[Bazeilles]

Natur Liefert, on Jun 12 2009, 12:21 PM, said:

He means that religion should not be the basis for a politician's stance on issues. Religion can help you to understand where you stand on an issue, but it's not acceptable to say 'Because my religion says this is what position I should take'.

How do you know that is what he means? Did I ask you what he means? Are you sure that this isn't really just what you think?

Well you're horribly wrong. Thank God for the First Amendment. Please explain to me why you think that it is your business to decide how people come to their policy positions.

[Relic]

Bazeilles, on Jun 12 2009, 01:42 PM, said:

How do you know that is what he means? Did I ask you what he means? Are you sure that this isn't really just what you think?

Well you're horribly wrong. Thank God for the First Amendment. Please explain to me why you think that it is your business to decide how people come to their policy positions.

Waow buddie, settle down. He didnt say it was his "buisness" to decide on how they come to their decision.

He simply would prefer that politicians come to their positions through rational process. Rather then, "God told me".