Special interview with Alan Keys, part 1 
By Pastor Scott Craig Listen to the interview here www.NEWSinFAITH.com
Alan Keyes in Rapid City
Conservative News
Special interview with Alan Keys, part 1
By Pastor Scott Craig Listen to the interview here www.NEWSinFAITH.com
We’ll see just how deep the convictions run in those who preach politics from the pulpit when the federal government removes their tax exempt status.
That tax exempt status issue was a creation of LBJ’s and is not Constitutionally based. That battle should be taken up by Congress and free speech rights restored to the clergy without the intimidation of government. I do agree that until that happens we will see the depth of conviction of our pastors.
Many churches would have difficulty remaining solvent without tax exempt status, in part because of the steady decline in membership during the past few decades. It will be interesting to see what happens if the federal government pushes this. And I believe the Establishment Clause should be interpretted to prevent clergy from using their churches to try to further political causes, unless they want to declare all donations as political contributions, and give up their tax exempt status.
The solvency of churches is not the issue. The Establishment Clause is a provision in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, extended to apply to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits laws dealing with the establishment of religion. Neither the state or federal government may enact laws which aid one or all religions, or give a preference to one religion over another. The Establishment Clause was intended to prohibit the federal government from declaring and financially supporting a national religion. A national religion is not desirable. The law of the land, the Constitution in the 1st Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Clearly the intent of the Founders was to prevent the government from interference in the churches. Any limitation of the churches, such as the prohibition of politcal speech or activity by the IRS, is unconstitutional. Worse it contradicts the spirit of the law. God will determine the solvency and viability of the churches and it should not be a power of government to limit the churches in any way.
I disagree. I completely support the Supreme Court and it’s long history of applying the Establishment Clause to churches attempting to interfere with our goverment, in addition to preventing governmental sponsorship of any religion.
Why do people believe God is on their side of an issue? How can there ever be peace, when all sides believe God is on their side?
How is preaching truth from the pulpit interfering with the government? The truth is that our country is unique and exceptional in the history of the world in that we acknowledge that our rights are given us by God, not a government. Our rights, including the freedom of religion and the unfettered practice therof, are God-given, not government-given and are superior to any law, rule, practice or ruling that the government may impose. God does have a “side”. It is the side of truth and our pastors must have the right to preach the truth unfettered by the government as written in the 1st Amendment. Peace? Peace will come when we repent of our selfish and sinful ways and accept and live according to the will of God.
Like I said, there will be no peace as long as we keep on believing God is on our side. Both you and your opponents think God is on their side, it’s a stalemate.
An important statement in the interview was by Scott Craig when he said that he actively supported Dr. Keyes for President FROM THE PULPIT!!! Pastors, church members take note. It is the right of pastors to advance Biblical values FROM THE PULPIT!!! Church members should encourage and support their pastors to remind us that our commitment to righteousness extends into the voting booth. Jesus did not shy from politics. He spoke and confronted the Sanhedrin. He engaged the leaders of Israel in His ministry. Today’s pastors have that responsibility as well.