Should Religious Organizations Participate In Politics?

Religious organizations and politics

If we mean that government should not respect one religion over another, that answer is pretty clear in the Constitution. If we actually mean, that someone who is a Christian should not run for public office, then the answer would be - that's totally ridiculous.

In 1796, George Washington said a prayer at Valley Forge and in that prayer, I think he put everything in perspective. Here is a portion of that prayer:

"Bless O Lord the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus. Of all dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens."

"To the distinguished character of a Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian."

Here is a portion of Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address given on March 4, 1865:

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."