Religion and Politics: That Mess in North Carolina

Pastor resigns after political spat, from CNN.com.

I hope the congregation learns a lesson, but at least some of them won't:

"I don't believe he preached politics. I don't believe anyone should tell a preacher not to preach what's in the Bible."
- Rhonda Trantham, church member

What she and lots of her fellow congregants don't realize, of course, is that they have no clue what's written in that thing, or what the heck those documents are going on about. These folks who insist that their Bible is some kind of mystical book that contains magic instructions about how to live every aspect of their lives, and how to behave in every possible circumstance, will never really get it. They'll never ask questions besides, "Should people abort babies, and how should I treat people who do?" Not that they look in there to answer the second question...

Captain Sacrament's analysis? That pastor is a coward and of course he's backtracking. And the people? They're trying to imagine some kind of contrived separation between religious motivations and political actions when they can't clearly define either realm to begin with.

Update!

• Fernando Gros has directed us to some articles on Baptist principles and why this doesn't fit
• Mike Kear has offered his take on the matter, criticizing Baptist Press' defense of the pastor