Popular megachurch pastor Rick Warren said he does not believe pastors should endorse political candidates in a recent interview held weeks ahead of his highly-anticipated leadership and compassion forum, which will feature presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
“I don’t think it’s right for pastors to endorse [a political candidate] in the first place,” Warren said on a recent CNN interview when asked if he thinks McCain was right to disavow controversial pastors John Hagee and Rod Parsley.
“I would never endorse a candidate. I would never campaign for a candidate,” he added.
“I think as a pastor my role is to pastor all the flock regardless of their political persuasion, so I wouldn’t have wanted endorsements anyways.”
Warren has, however, invited political candidates to speak at his church on the topic of HIV/AIDS. Past politicians that have spoken at Saddleback Church during its annual HIV/AIDS conference include Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Sam Brownback.
Next month, Obama and McCain will appear together for the first time during the ’08 presidential race to answer questions from Warren about faith and moral issues such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate change and human rights.
“I believe in the separation of church and state, but I do not believe in the separation of faith and politics,” Warren said, “because faith is simply a worldview and everybody’s got a worldview.”
A person who says he can separate his faith and worldview is either an “idiot” or “lying” because it’s impossible, the influential Christian leader contends.
“We make our decisions based on our values, based on our worldview so I think it’s entirely appropriate for America to say not only what is your faith – whether it is in Christ or someone else – but what is your worldview because that is going to influence how we live in the next four year,” he said
And in terms of how evangelicals will vote, Warren echoed what many other Christians have said this year – evangelicals are not monolithic and are open to both Republican and Democratic candidates.
“I do think that a lot of people, not just evangelicals, have reserved judgments,” the founding pastor of the 22,000-member Saddleback Church said. “I think a lot of America hasn’t made up its mind yet between these two candidates and I’m hoping that this forum will allow these two guys (McCain and Obama) to speak for themselves without an interpreter or any spin on it.”
McCain and Obama will each respond to Warren’s questions at the Saddleback Church forum on Aug. 16.
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I agree with Rick Warren on this matter. Too many people follow a pastor, instead of their conscience. And when they were to find out what their pastor is voting, they would vote that way, instead of searching out the facts for themselves. It's a common problem among the Church. Many Christians don't even search the scriptures which leaves them wide open to be seduced by false doctrines.
Neither man can force their faith on other people. Remember that they are trying to be a president and not a pastor. When you get one on one with someone, you can discuss your faith. I did that with my doctor who is of another faith. God gives different people different gifts right?
"I believe in the separation of church and state, but I do not believe in the separation of faith and politics."
I think the prophet Samuel would disagree, as with Moses. Church and state... God and the people... How do you seperate God, the Church, and the people, state? Rick wants to says faith and politics... both of these are of men. We people should have faith in God and elect, politics, a godly man as our leader based on God teaching. David was a man like God's own heart in watch over the sheep.
I don't want to presume that Pator Warren hasn't read Daniel 4:25. I disagree totally that faith should be separated from politics. God rules in the affairs of men.Every authority according to Scriptures comes from God.We as christians must not stand aloof in matters of politics.Imagine the next president of America as born again.Now, to Obama and McCain,Pastor Warren's question from me to them is:Is Jesus The Way or a way?
In my opinion, Republican leadership has mis-used Christianity (my faith) to further their true political goals of ultra low taxes for the wealthy(at all times) and corporate control of our government.
Senator McCain and many of his supporters are now trying to paint Barack as an (I'm sorry for the harsh term) Anti-Christ figure. It's sad that politics could go this low, but the Mattew25.org network was set up in part to combat these distortions. Please go to their link and sign a petition to ask Senator McCain to take down this ad and if you have a couple bucks, make a donation for Barack's birthday. Pass this on.
thanks
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5167/t/3594/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=430
On the contrary, the coldhardedness is sadly on display with the Democratic Party with regards to its policy position on abortion.
They want legalized abortions at all stages in all circumstances while paid for by all taxpayers.
There are always some in the Republican party who are calloused towards the poor & sick.
However, the majority of Republicans do care & give of their own time & money towards such charitible efforts.
It's not the same as if there was an official Republican policy platform position advocating negligence and abuse of the poor and sick. Like the way the Dems have such a statement towards advocacy of the killing of unborn babies.
That is OFFICIALLY coldhearted!
Pastors should stay away from endorsing, but address the issues. I'm a Democrat, but I'm leaning Republican on abortion, because that's the one issue they have a moral ground on. I got a girl/woman pregenant at the age of 15 and I contributed to an abortion. At the time I didn't have a relationship with Jesus Christ and barely picked up a Bible. I was also being medicated for anxiety attacks and later had to be hospitalized twice with panic attacks. I didn't know my condition would improve and I was afraid the child would suffer horribly his/her life. It was a mistake and I grieve whenever I think about whether it was a baby girl or boy. Making abortion legal or is illegal is secondary to opening up people's minds to the fact that life, even developning life is precious. But you won't see a quote in the New Testament where Christ says someting like it's impossible for a killer to get to heaven, but you will see that type of quote about a rich man. Why is that? I'll tell you. Anybody can make the mistake and kill if given the right circumstances, but it is usually a once in a lifetime thing. But living in excess wealth while your fellow man/children die from poverty/sickness/disease(twenty times the amount lost to abortion every year) displays a cold heartedness that is beyond description. That cold heartedness is on display in the Republican Party today.
"I believe in the separation of church and state, but I do not believe in the separation of faith and politics"
Is the correct quote. Separation of church and state is not the same as separation of faith and politices. Think about it. Our government is a reflection of our democratic society. That's the problem. We want more church in government instead of faith in God. If the vast majority of Americans had true faith in God and lived by His principles as put forth in the Bible our government would look quite a bit different. It is not the church that should be dictating to the state...it is voters who should take the time to learn what is really going on in our country and call their elected people. Form political action groups to bring political power to their positions. The only way for evil to triumph is for good to stand by and do nothing. Guess what....
If you don't like what you see in the mirror...try fixing what's in front of it.
When Rick Warren says he believes in the separation of church and state, it makes me wonder whose side he is on. The policy of separation of church and state (which has no basis from the constitution) has been used as a powerful reason to remove anything from God's word from the public forum, resulting in the moral decline of our once great nation.
Jesus chased the money changers out of his Father's, and I don't think pastors should be inviting people who obviously take positions on abortion, sexuality and other areas contrary to God's word to speak in their churches, because it gives credibility to that speaker.
Quandry: When does God seperate politics from faith? Remember Jesus is both King and Lord.
<“I believe in the separation of church and state, but I do not believe in the separation of faith and politics,†Warren said, “because faith is simply a worldview and everybody’s got a worldview.†>
In theory, it sounds good to believe in the separation of church and state; in practical application, that concept can be abused so that religious freedoms are abused.
Pastor Warren needs to carefully give appropriate context to his statements or they can easily be taken & used for ill intents.
When federal "hate" crimes law are passed, will Pastor Warren respect the law by never preaching on the sin of homosexuality in the pulpit? Or does he already voluntarily abdicate the responsibility of preaching on the biblical worldview of homosexuality by default?
re:tamna
I wonder if Warren will ask the same question Franklin Graham recently asked of him
"Do you believe Jesus is THE way or simply A way."
No answer was ever released by anyone...Graham, the media or Obama himself. I've emailed numerous people to no avail. I doubt Warren has the guts to present this very simple question than would tell Christians all the need to know about the candidate!
wrhalver, I think you will find that quote tends to be a jestful one, maybe you don't have it in the states, we are a little more relaxed this side of the Atlantic :-)
Best wishes
Steve
Although our pastor is clearly Republican he only refers to political parties or candidates in jest. It seems he would rather teach on what is Biblically correct and see if anyone can apply it to a political candidate.... :D
This statement by warren is going to make people like Richard Land, Dobson, Pat Robertson et al furious. They are God's agents on earth to bring republican light to the masses.
I agree with Rick Warren over this issue. It is true that there are good politicians but I don't think that any of us can deny that once you take a political side it almost seems to close the ears and hearts of the opposing side to your words.
How can you teach a man how to walk properly in his faith if you as a minister lose authority because of a political endorsement. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the political issues today that it causes a divide. I have seen marriages destroyed because of politics, because the husband was republican and the wife was a democrat. If you use God's authority to endorse a person running in a system that does not look to God, it lowers God's standing.
As a minister you have to be careful how you use the spiritual authority that is given to you. Because if not used correctly it can be stained and it can be taken from you. Billy Graham came to this same conclusion the hard way one time. He endorsed and supported Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. But when it was found that Nixon had done wrong he vowed never to endorse a politician again because it made him look like a fool. Yes all authority is given by God, but it is not for us to try and manipulate the outcome. By a minister making an endorsement that minister is basically saying that God can not get the right leader into power without my help. That perception is actually very arrogant.
As Christians we must always pray for our leaders and that God will show them the wisdom that they need. God will work through our prayers more than our endorsements.
steveh20
You have said....
"Preachers who endorse politicians (not something that happens in England) would do well to remember the saying that "those who sup with the devil had better have a long spoon"...
There is a misguided teaching out there in the church.
For one, not every politician is of the Devil. If there was a candidate for office who is a Christian, the church would be first to show support.
And two, while Christians are taught not to get involved in politics because of its very nature, we are taught to always look for the candidate who stands for Christian values. Can we expect such values from the Devil?
I think we need to wake up.
I think it more likely that McCain will squirm, as he does not speak of his faith publicly.
I wonder if Warren will ask Obama questions that will make Obama uncomfortable (squirm). I wonder if Warren will ask direct questions concering Obama's stance on abortion on demand, teenage abortion without parental consent, gay marriage, condoms in schools, etc. I doubt it.
Preachers who endorse politicians (not something that happens in England) would do well to remember the saying that "those who sup with the devil had better have a long spoon"...
“I believe in the separation of church and state, but I do not believe in the separation of faith and politics,†Warren said, “because faith is simply a worldview and everybody’s got a worldview.â€Â
I'm sorry, but this makes no sense. So long as the church maintains its tax-exempt status, there is no separation of church and state.
I agree with wbmoore....
Our Pastors should have no other priority than to preach and teach according to the guiding of the Holy Spirit and not government regulations.
Sorry Pastor Warren. On this matter I cannot agree with you or Pastor Hagee.
But I'm glad we agree that Christ is Lord.
I happen to agree with him on this point,"I don't think it's right for pastors to endorse [a political candidate]."
We need to preach and each about the issues from the word of God and let people take note of which candidates line up with the word of God.
Having said that, if I ever try to start a church as the lead pastor or one of the elders, I doubt I get a 503c, but will form a tax paying business. I want to be able to preach whatever the Holy Spirit wants me to and not worry about whether that conforms to a given set of government regulations.