Our First Show - The Church and Politics

The concept for The Lion's Den actually began months ago in the heart of my friends, Zeusis and Ernesto who have this great vision for Renueva Tu Fe Radio. Since the Spanish community here in the United States has become increasingly bilingual, they shared with me the need to begin programming in English on their station. The more I listened to Zeusis share his vision and his faith the more contagious the idea became. Well, now the rest is history. Yesterday afternoon we did our first show. It was a little rough around the edges, but it was great.

Instead of just doing a couple of songs and preaching for most of the rest of the hour, we wanted to take a polemic approach. We have an open telephone line for listeners to call in and introduce contemporary issues for the days discussion, then put some hopefully relevant music into the mix. Maybe, we can have some great discussion about some things that really matter, without talking your ears off, by taking some time to listen.

To kick off the first show, I introduced the topic of Religion and Politics. Since the second presidential debate with McCain and Obama took place the night before, I thought it might be both appropriate and provacative to ask listeners what they thought about the role of the church in politics.

I couldn't think of a better way to get off to a roaring start than to talk about politics. It certainly can stir up the lions. Let any pastor or church get the least bit involved in issues up for a vote during an election, and you will hear the critics crying foul. They say, "What about separation of church and state?" We often feel caught in the middle. We want to make a difference in our community. We want to have a positive impact during the election with regard to helping folks make the right decisions on the issues and the candidates, but feel like our hands are tied! Hey, if you want to share your opinion on this or any topic we discuss on The Lion's Den, you can comment here on my blog or you can email me at thelionsden1430@live.com.

Hey, are we caught in the middle? Well, most of us know what it's like to feel caught in the middle, and that's the message of the first song we played, Somewhere in the Middle from the Casting Crowns' album The Altar and the Door.

What do you think? Have churches or church leaders become too involved in politics, or are they not involved nearly enough?

Did you watch the presidential debate Tuesday night? Well, I joined the millions of Americans who tuned in, and when it was over everyone was asking, "Who won?" Both candidates claimed to be the man who would bring about change in Washington. The need for change was one thing they agreed on. They both were adamant that things just can't continue as they are. There must be change, and they have the answers, although they disagree on what those answers are and how to affect the changes we need. They claim to know what America needs.

We played a second song from the Casting Crowns' album The Altar and the Door, entitled, What This World Needs. The lyrics read, "What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue, a Spirit who will lead."

Man, Talk about great way for a pastor or church leader to end up surrounded by some hungry lions, just let him make his opinion known about a candidate or a political issue. It’s like hanging a target around your neck or a sign that says, “Here I am; shoot me!” But really, what do you think? Wouldn’t you say that there are some issues that are more MORAL than POLITICAL? What about ABORTION, or SAME SEX MARRIAGE. Do you think a pastor, or church leader should have something to say about issues like these? Think about it this way. When the issues or the candidates move into the arena of morality, haven’t the politicians moved into the arena of the church? Wouldn’t you say that a pastor or church leader then has a MORAL OBLIGATION to respond?

Are we intimidated? Are we afraid? Folks certainly try to intimidate. One local pastor reported that when he and his church joined others in the 2006 battle against Sunday Sales of Alcohol, opponents painted graffiti on the side of his church building! By the way, that didn’t stop him nor a number of others who have organized again this year to fight the two Alcohol referendums on the ballot here in Whitfield County. Look for their Red signs, “Vote NO to Alcohol again.” There may be conflict but they aren’t afraid.

In the Book of Acts, chapter 27, Paul was aboard a ship headed for Rome when there was a great storm, but God sent an angel with a message for Paul, a message that comes through strong in a song we play from Carman's Album, The Champion, Fear not my child.

Every election there are groups who try to intimidate churches and pastors in order to keep them silent. Fear and intimidation have worked well on many, but what about our first amendment rights? Do you think we should have to give up our freedom of speech just because we’re active in church or because we are involved in church leadership?

It hasn’t always been this way. Prior to 1954 church leaders were as free as anyone else to influence elections, and comment on issues or candidates. What changed? In 1954 the tax code was amended to silence an opponent who happened to belong to a tax-exempt group.
If you’d like more information or guidelines about what you can or can’t do because of the tax code, check out the ADF Website. That’s the Alliance Defense Fund Website at www.telladf.org. They have a pdf file you can print and share with others, or if you like you can just email me at thelionsden@live.com and we’ll email you a copy of their pdf file. ADF also has an 800 number (1-800-TELLADF) to call should you need legal advice if your church has been threatened by a government official or an activist group for exercising you First Amendment rights.

The prophet Daniel was full of faith and courage when he faced the political system of his day. With full knowledge of the evil intent of his enemies, he stood strong in face political opposition, whose goal was his destruction. Politics is certainly known for its dirty tricks. Have you or someone you know been the victim of some political tricks? Hey don’t let yourself be tricked. Ask question and be an informed voter. An Hispanic lady stopped by our business the other day, asking questions. She had gone to rally, right here in Dalton, for the “free food.” They were registering voters, and after she filled out the registration, they handed her a sample ballot, showing her how to mark her ballot for that candidate. She thought she had actually voted and asked if it was too late to change her vote. The good news is that she only marked a sample ballot. In Georgia you have to apply for an absentee ballot by mail or go to the Board of Elections and present legal identification and sign for your ballot.
If you got questions, we may not have all the answers but maybe we can help you find the answers here in the Lion’s Den, Renueva Tu Fe Radio 706-279-1430, or email me at thelionsden@live.com.

Sometimes we all feel like running away from the issues and problems instead of facing them. I believe the song, I Run to You, by Dennis Jernigan on the album, Break My Heart O God, tells us where we should run. Too many times we run away from our problems instead of facing the issues head on. If we run at all let's run to Christ for help and strength.

As we wrap up the first show, I am praying that you will have the courage to stand for righteousness in the middle of these difficult times. I believe that is how we make a difference. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “You are the Salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again.” If we are going to really be salt and light, then we're going to have to be involved, even in the political arena, but we must never forget that politics is not the answer! Government isn’t the answer! Our Hope is not Obama, and neither is McCain is not our Messiah. Our Hope is in Jesus Christ.

Thanks for sharing your time with me today here on my blog. Hopefully, I will update the blog each week before or after the program at 1:00 p.m. each Wednesday on Renueva Tu Fe Radio 1430AM. Until then be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This is Dan Hocker in the Lion’s Den.