YOUNGSTOWN — With wit, insight and a challenge to her audience, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton explored the role of people of faith in America’s political process.
She was keynote speaker at Mahoning Valley Association of Churches’ 23rd annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Tuesday morning at the Maronite Center. Some 230 representatives of the religious community in the Mahoning Valley attended.
The leader of the Northeast Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America said people were probably feeling a little lost now that the election is decided. But, she noted, drawing a laugh, it probably won’t be long before the primaries start again, referring to the length of the last campaign.
Getting down to her topic, Bishop Eaton said, “The foundation of the country is based on religious freedom.” She quoted the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ....”
She noted separation of church and state means that the government can’t dictate people’s religious beliefs.
“Religion and politics go hand in hand ... this isn’t a new phenomena,” she said, noting that the very law that guarantees freedoms of the press, religion and speech entwines religion and politics. “No other country has as many religions as this country does.”
Read more in Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com
Comments
An interesting point-of-view. "She noted separation of church and state means that the government can’t dictate people’s religious beliefs."
I've always interpreted it to mean that government policies can't be dictated by religion...
Nothing but hypocrisy. The government has already dictated that the unborn have no right to life. Christianity has already spelled out that the unborn are a soul waiting to come into this world. Obama champions abortion. I see that the Lutherans in Youngstown have no problem with abortion.
TO JEFF.
I ALWAYS INTERPRETED THE SEPARATION DIFFERENTLY.....I SEE THE INDIVIDUAL'S RELIGEON TO BE PROTECTED MORE THEN THE GOVERMENT.....THAT IS WHY WE HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE, AND PRAY (OR NOT PRAY)AS WE WISH.....LIFE AND LIBERTY AND THE PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T INTERFERE WITH ANY OF THAT.
OldManGrump:
"Trying to get anti-abortion policy written into laws is WRONG."
Taking away the "GOD GIVEN RIGHTS" of the unborn by law was so very wrong. Government prosecutes certain killings. The unborn are excluded from any protection. The life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness bit excludes the unborn.
Doc,
Please stop shouting. The reason it works is that it makes sense for everyone regardless how you interpret it. That's my point. Religion (religeon?) certainly has its place...
Stan -
Your assertion is only correct if you believe the unborn is a spiritual being. Not all believe that.
Eric
Erplane:
Even the government that sanctions abortion will charge you for two murders of you kill a mother who is pregnant. Yes, the killing of the unborn is murder. The method used to kill the unborn makes no difference.
I found the speech disturbing because I am tired of my pastor acting as another political boss. In the Gospel, Jesus had plenty of opportunities to make political and social commentary, and steadfastly refused to do so.
He did not condemn "the other side" in politics. He was in fact criticized for associating with the hated Roman tax collectors, and ignored the criticism. His vision was clearly on a Kingdom that was not of this world and imminent.
We live in a diverse country, and Religion should recognize that, rather than just being another faction jockeying for a power position.
Grump;
If free will grants the people the choice to decide if abortion is right for them or not, why then in the liberal state of california can a person be charged with two murders for killing a pregnant woman, should there be a test to determine if her free will believed in abortion before charging the murderer? One should have to look at how the abortion procedures are performed, especially the D & X and D & E procedures are done before one decides if abortion is right or wrong and when life begins at birth or conception. One last point Grump, in asian cultures when a child is born they are already a year old, we are one of the few cultures who does not practice this tradition.