Voting in a church or religious facility

[Smiling JOe]

It's true, churches (or houses of worship, et al) do want people to visit, share fellowship, learn, & even join. They honestly want to help. But it's also supposed to be a safe haven. Especially if there is a M-F school attached. Then there's Sunday school, evening activities. The list goes on.

At our church it's the same as others have mentioned here. EVERY volunteer (& they are church members) are fingerprinted, background checked, etc. This is now standard in our annual budget. The safety of our congregations children (& this includes teens) is of the utmost importance. It has taken a priority over the last 4 - 5 years.

Gone are the days of people in need walking in off the street to quietly pray in the sanctuary. It hurts to turn them away when they are in pain - it's in total conflict of what a church stands for in the community.

.

The thought just occurred to me -- In Jesus' eyes, we are all sinners, so the Churches are always filled with sinners. What's the big deal if one or two sinners decide to conduct their sins in Church? Wouldn't they just be one step closer to getting help?

(Removing tongue from cheek, now.)

 

[Rudyjohn]

The thought just occurred to me -- In Jesus' eyes, we are all sinners, so the Churches are always filled with sinners. What's the big deal if one or two sinners decide to conduct their sins in Church? Wouldn't they just be one step closer to getting help?

(Removing tongue from cheek, now.)

yeah, but some are VERRRRY scary and most get reallllly po'd (& loud!!) when we explain that they have to leave because of the preschool. Fortunately, I work from home 90% of the time.

Yes, we are all heathens together.

 

[User 3]

I understand that there is a seperation of Church and State, but why am I forced to cast my vote in a church merely because it will facilitate the masses?

I find it to be insulting and against the basic foundation of seperation of Church and State.

Am I wrong? What do you think?

Personally, I don't believe the church building causes any disruption to the voting process. Also, I do not believe the persons in charge of or who own the church who files a 501 c with the IRS would ever risk losing their tax-exempt status by advocating one candidate over another. The 501 c tax-exemption restricts what the church can and cannot say. So in a way doesn't the government own the church, which makes the separation of church and state impossible in these church polling places?

 

[Smiling JOe]

Personally, I don't believe the church building causes any disruption to the voting process. Also, I do not believe the persons in charge of or who own the church who files a 501 c with the IRS would ever risk losing their tax-exempt status by advocating one candidate over another. The 501 c tax-exemption restricts what the church can and cannot say. So in a way doesn't the government own the church, which makes the separation of church and state impossible in these church polling places?

Interesting thought, but I'd say that it is more like the Govt licensing the church, not owning it. The wall isn't as tall as Jefferson suggested to the Baptists. The gov't mandates building and safety codes, AHA compliance, Equal Opportunity Employment, etc. That doesn't mean that gov't is controlling religion, and is still Constitutional in my mind.

 

[Ocean Lover]

The thought just occurred to me -- In Jesus' eyes, we are all sinners, so the Churches are always filled with sinners. What's the big deal if one or two sinners decide to conduct their sins in Church? Wouldn't they just be one step closer to getting help?

(Removing tongue from cheek, now.)

Ya gotta keep up with the times......if people are in need they need to come on Sunday morning or during office hours. Otherwise the doors are locked. I love the way our church handles benevolence issues..always caring and compassionate and tough when they need to be. And yes, a few sinners decide to help themselves to A/V equipment every now and then. We're an independant church, we support ourselves so it really hurts when that happens. Three years ago my office and several others were broken into during a busy Saturday when our basketball program was going on. Laptops, cameras and cash were stolen. Come to find out it was a "gang" of women breaking into churches. We were obviously cased and I had to have been followed or they never would have known I was taking back concession money to my office.( I thought I was being discreet):roll: It was the worst feeling ever.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I recently saw a story of a troubled youth who broke into a church and stole some things out of the Reverend's office. The guy started to feel guilt. The Reverend had put word out that he wouldn't prosecute if the items were returned. He felt that the theft was the thief's way of reaching out for help. The young guy returned the items, and confessed before the congregation and they all forgave him of his sins, and welcomed him into the church. Now that is my idea of goodness.

 

[Rudyjohn]

I recently saw a story of a troubled youth who broke into a church and stole some things out of the Reverend's office. The guy started to feel guilt. The Reverend had put word out that he wouldn't prosecute if the items were returned. He felt that the theft was the thief's way of reaching out for help. The young guy returned the items, and confessed before the congregation and they all forgave him of his sins, and welcomed him into the church. Now that is my idea of goodness.

If only it always worked out so perfectly. But it's still a great story, SJ.

 

[Smiling JOe]

One cannot have expectations of how things work out. I understand the want to lock the doors to keep the people out, but one has to ask, how many people are pushed away from needed prayer when the doors are locked. Only an open door can receive.

 

[User 3]

That doesn't mean that gov't is controlling religion, and is still Constitutional in my mind.

Isn't free speech being violated if the pastors of these churches cannot endorse a candidate without violating their tax exempt status.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Sorry, I meant to say that it doesn't mean that gov't OWNS the church, as you stated. I'm no lawyer, but I'd guess that the churches are allowed to endorse a candidate. They just aren't exempt from taxes (which is a privilege), if they do so.