A Southern Pastor: I Am Not Political

Religious leaders find ourselves in a unique situation in this country today. As people who have been divinely called to preach the gospel, we have to carefully guard our words so that we don’t become a divisive political element in our communities.

Here is the problem with that:

1. I am supposed to stand up for immigrants.


2. I am supposed to care for and protect the earth.


3. I am to care for all creatures.


4. I am supposed to advocate for charity for those in need.


5. I am supposed to seek justice for those who are oppressed.

Isaiah 1:17 learn to do good. Seek justice: help the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.

6. I am supposed to treat each human being as if they were Christ.

Matthew 25: 42-46

7. And, I am supposed to invite all to the table of fellowship and love, without creating categories of who I think deserves it and who doesn’t.


So here is the bottom line: if my call to stand with the marginalized and respect the earth, to preach love of neighbor and acceptance of all, to call attention to hatred and intolerance, and to openly follow the teachings of Christ, conflicts with your political stance, that should not be my problem, nor should it keep me from following my call.

If doing those things has become political, there is a much deeper problem which we as a society desperately need to address. Kindness and decency are not political platforms, they are life.
