The Bible says "give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's."(Luke 20:25) This applies not just to taxes, but to duties as well.

When Churches Meddle in Politics

by Cynthia Buhain-Baello
October 22, 2008


Last night I was watching "Larry King Live" at CNN and there was a "Christian" man/actor who was literally and openly endorsing a political candidate, who, by public life testimony has clouded much of what the Christian faith is all about.

Previous to this, another "Christian" network kept barraging the viewers and would-be voters in the United States with preachings and sermons about how America should stand by Israel and help the nation against its Islam neighbors.
As expected, the sermon diverted and hinted on a favored "evangelical" candidate, thus manifesting that the
Church, the Evangelicals, as stated,
are a mighty political force to reckon with, and if one wants to win an election, he has to "court" the favor of these churches.

It is a very sad state that the Christian churches today have fallen into. Labels like "Zionists" (self-appointed defenders of Israel and the Jews) and "Conservatives" (whatever)
have drawn a wedge of division on
the whole nation, a segregation not only in faith, but of color, status, and creed (doctrine).

In the Bible, we see the example of our Lord, that although He could have political influence if he wanted to, He did not meddle in politics. The Apostles themselves never involved themselves in the political arena, but
concentated on th spiritual aspect of
humanity. If the churches of today have done their God-appointed roles,
the President who sits in office will
definitely have the wisdom that comes from God. This is where the Church seems to have failed, having the "form" but not the "power"; the label but not the content.

Unfortunately, it is easy to put on the label of "Christian" to win an election, but very difficult to APPLY
biblical principles when it comes to policies, foreign and domestic.

Actions reflects the heart content, and if the real Christian President gets elected, the churches have done the nation a great service. But let us not forget that the work of Satan is crafty
DECEPTION, and a candidate can wear a lot of masks just to win the votes.

Therefore if a candidate who professes to be a "Christian" messes up and creates such unthinkable blunders while in office that literally brings the nation down, then who is responsible for putting him there?
The Church political force?

The danger here when Churches meddle in politics is that first, the whole Christian testimony gets clouded (abused power/unwed pregnant daughter, pride and arrogance, falsehood, greed) and secondly, when Churches endorse and "mind-bend" through preaching, it shows DISRESPECT for the voters' free will and right to choose for himself,
almost "dictating" to the voter what to do.

We do not mean to judge, but public office is very visible and highly influential when it comes to VALUES.
As Christians, we hold God's values at
a higher benchmark than those practiced
by others, and more so when a Christian aims for national leadership.

Let us bear in mind that the young follow by example. What the leaders do as adults, particularly in public office
have a lasting impact on the young generation, the next breed of Americans.
Therefore the Church, as a body of influence in itself, must exercise extreme caution and prudence in its endorsement of any political candidate.
At best, it should even refrain from such practice out of ethical discretion.

I believe that the American voter can think for himself and the church must respect him for exercising his freedom to vote and HIS choice of candidate.

It is my prayer that all Americans today
will vote according to their conscience, and vote asking for wisdom
from God, not from any church.








"Even a child is known by his actions,
by whether his conduct is pure and right."

PROVERBS 20:11