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Often our Mainline Church lobbies in Washington, D.C. deny they endorse specific legislation. But a few days before the recent crucial vote in the U.S. House of Representatives for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s version of Obamacare, the United Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians directly endorsed the over $1 trillion legislation. Critics allege that its proposed “public option” will lead to U.S. Government control of the U.S. health care system. Read Alan Wisdom’s article here.
For the Religious Left, especially the Mainline Protestant elites, socialized medicine has been a holy cause for many decades. Now so close, they believe, they cannot restrain their enthusiasm. There was some disappointment for these church lobbyists though. With the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and the United Church of Christ’s lobby office publicly denounced the U.S. House’s vote to prohibit government health insurance funded abortions. Yes, these church lobbyists, ostensibly speaking on our behalf, want to force taxpayers to pay for abortions. How appalling these church lobbies often behave!
Surprise, surprise, the National Council of Churches also likes government attempts to direct U.S. health care. Read Jeff Walton’s article here. Jeff attended the church council’s recent annual General Assembly, where the NCC also backed liberalized immigration and the elimination of U.S. nuclear weapons.
Liberalized immigration has become big for the Religious Left and Evangelical Left. Earlier this year, the United Methodist Council of Bishops got on board, calling for an eventual amnesty for illegal immigrants. Here’s my article. Christians can disagree about the right immigration laws, even as we agree about treating all people decently. But the Religious Left claims that Christianity has specific political teachings that tell us exactly what liberal policies the church must support.
Some of the worst example of church political activism was during the 1980’s and before when Mainline churches and the ecumenical councils often backed Marxist revolution in the name of “Liberation Theology.” Despite the fall of most of communism, one World Council of Churches official still insists that Liberation Theology is alive and well. Read my article here. IRD was founded in part to combat Liberation Theology. The battle continues, but on different fronts.
Speaking of battles, liberal churches are backing an effort to force same-sex “marriage” on the people of Washington, D.C. by depriving them of the ability to vote on it. The local Roman Catholic Archdiocese is warning that city efforts to compel acceptance of same-sex “marriage” may force the church to shut down its social services. Read IRD’s news release here.
And don’t miss Jim Tonkowich’s commentary, noting that homosexuality has become a topic of debate even among evangelicals.
Today I’m joining other Christian leaders in releasing a new proclamation in defense of marriage and religious liberty, unveiled at a press conference here in Washington, D.C. Check our website later today for more info.
Please remember, IRD’s ministry of church reform and accountability depends completely on supporters like you. Please contribute today.
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